====== The War Years ======
When the war broke out, meaning World War II, and Huntsville Arsenal opened to produce munitions for the war effort, the MT&A was able to do two things.  First, it was able to quickly build an additional line through western Madison, AL crossing the Southern line, and to the Huntsville Arsenal complex.  This branch followed what is today, County Line Road, James Record Road, and Martin Road.  Second, it was able to restart limited passenger service, even as a commuter line, bringing employees to the arsenal from the stops along the line.  The roads in the area were simple dirt roads at the time and a substantial number of the farmers, and their wives, which went to work at the arsenal did not own automobiles.  The MT&A grew during this time through an extension to Shelbyville, TN to the L&N mainline near Wartrace, TN.  This extension and their access to Huntsville Arsenal and Decatur meant that the MT&A was a logical choice for rapid transportation of goods and supplies needed by or produced by the arsenal.

The extension from Fayetteville to Shelbyville-Wartrace started out by going to the northeast from Fayetteville to Booneville.  It then traveled toward Flat Creek, along the New Herman Rd.  It then proceeded along what is now State route 82 into Shelbyville.  Once in Shelbyville, it followed what is now the Walking Horse and Eastern line to Wartrace, where it interchanged with the NC&StL/L&N/Seaboard System/CSX mainline going between Nashville and Chattanooga.

This new extension also provided a means for more farmers to get produce to market more quickly.  As more of South-Central Tennessee was now rail served, moving agricultural products in the area became faster and less expensive.  This also anchored both ends of the MT&A on the mainline of major rail lines.

By selectively growing during the war effort the MT&A had become a vital resource, particularly in North Alabama, but also in south central Tennessee.  It provided for rapid transportation between Shelbyville and Huntsville which meant that Nashville was also easily reachable in a near direct route.