People & Places of the Western & Atlantic Railroad: ‘Uncle Joe’ Renard

Renard was a “pioneer engineer” on the Western & Atlantic

Joseph F. “Uncle Joe” Renard was a “pioneer engineer” on the Western & Atlantic, and when he died in 1905 at 68 years old, he was said to be among the best-known railroad men in the state.

Renard was born in Charleston, South Carolina, on April 1, 1837, and always wanted to be a train engineer.[1] He completed an apprenticeship at railroad shops in Columbia, South Carolina.[2]

He achieved his dream of becoming an engineer when he joined the Western & Atlantic circa 1858[3] and served as an engineer on the State Road for more than 40 years.[4]

On April 12, 1862, Renard was at the throttle of the Catoosa, a locomotive that played a minor role in the Great Locomotive Chase.