Eastern Railroad Discussion > Heading South...a couple North Carolina/Virginia questions

A friend and I are making plans to go see N&W 611 in April.  Since I'm heading all that way I want to maximize the use of time, so I have a couple questions.

Other than the 611 excursion, how much freight traffic is there between Spencer and Lynchburg?  Does track speed permit chasing a freight train if one presents itself?  Any online ATCS feeds in the area?

Poking around on Google Earth, I see a number of the old Southern Railway signal bridges still standing.  However, photos from last year's 611 trips show newer replacements starting to go up.  Is it safe to assume at this point that the older signals have now been removed?

And finally, what radio frequencies should I monitor in the area?

Thanks in advance!

As for rail traffic, the busiest stretch will be between Linwood and Greensboro with around 35 trains a day including 8 Amtrak. The following are the symbols:

•intermodal
203, 204, 211, 212, 213, 214, 217, 218, 290

•manifest
158, 159, 194, 195, 12R, 13R, 17M, 18M, 349, 350, 351, 352, 35Q, 36Q

•local turns
P02, P84, P94

•Amtrak
19, 20 Crescent
73, 74, 75, 76 Piedmont Service
79, 80 Carolinian

Between Greensboro and Altavista, the train count would be about 20-22. You lose the 4 Piedmont trains, the Carolinians, 349, 350, 351, 352 and the fore mentioned locals. However, you do gain any grain and ethanol trains going towards Selma and the east.

At Altavista, you lose 194, 195, 17M, 18M and the grain and ethanol trains, but you'll see the trains on the ex-Virginian to Norfolk. Those include freights 188 / 189 and the coal trains for Lamberts Point and Hyco / Mayo. That makes about 17 trains a day between Altavista and Lynchburg.

Andrew

Posted from iPhone

How many of those trains will be "locked down" and not moving with the 611 on the route?   Of course there may some interesting log jams breaking loose after the J passes.

From my chase of the 611 last time, after it passed it was 
like shooting fish in a barrel. You could see the trains parked
until it passed. For me that was the best part of the chase! : )


Jay


Tominde Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> How many of those trains will be "locked down" and
> not moving with the 611 on the route?   Of
> course there may some interesting log jams
> breaking loose after the J passes.