[9] The line that they would eventually complete was started by the Greenwood and Augusta Railroad (G&A), which was chartered in 1873 and began construction in August 1877; the G&A was incorporated into and became a branch of the Augusta, Knoxville and Greenwood Railroad (AK&G) in May 1877,[10] then the AK&G was consolidated into the A&K in 1880.
[11][12][13][14][15][16] The AK&G acquisition increased the graded right-of-way total to 51 miles (82 km).
[17][18][20][21][22] The B&O themselves also made an offer to take control of the A&K which would help them complete construction of the entire line connecting to Spartanburg,[23] but the A&K board of directors declined.
[11] The full A&K line was officially opened with a ceremonial first train on April 28, 1882,[12][26][note 2] the track stretching 68 miles (109 km) between Augusta, Georgia, and Greenwood, South Carolina.
[11][29][33] Verdery continued his employment with the line, serving on the PR&WC board of directors.