Eastern Railroad Discussion > Looking for input, opinions please... (Long)

There is a set of Norfolk Southern tracks at this location...35.533483, -79.163577.
I haven't seen a train in this area in years. The tracks run east to Fuquay-Varina, NC
and west to Greensboro, NC and points beyond.. Norfolk Southern does bring cars down to
Cumnock from Greensboro a couple times a week to interchange with the A&W line.

Fast forward to today. I noticed yesterday the crossing was blocked off with a detour.
I checked today and the crossing has been redone. I also noticed a work train loaded with
cross ties idling on the siding. Looking down the tracks I saw new cross ties laying off
to the side. I looked at the ties and noticed a job number on them.

I guess what I'm asking is do I dare get my hopes up that I might see trains on this line
again in the future? I know if they start bringing coal ash to the area near me it will
come by rail supposedly. Any ideas? Thanks!

Jay

1. Work train with ties idling on the siding

2. Looking down the tracks at new cross ties

3. Job #, etc (Track supervisor's named removed)

---

---

---

The shiny rails and generally good conditions suggest this track gets regular, if not frequent, use. The operating pattern may favor nighttime operation, for example. But I don't know enough about this line to provide further guidance.

I do know that the T&S gang`s camp cars and equipment are in the Old Yard at Spencer NC and is slated to head that way in the morning. Other than that I haven`t a clue.

Michael

It's bad when a person gets excited about something like this. : )
Thanks ya'll, I appreciate it!


Jay

The coal ash shipments (http://www.duke-energy.com/news/releases/2014111301.asp) have to be the motivation for this. With all the improvements to the NCRR between Charlotte and Raleigh, NS certainly doesn't need an alternative route into Raleigh via the original NS - nor can I imagine NS routing freight to Fayetteville via Cumnock, Colon, and Duncan.

ctillnc Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> The coal ash shipments
> (http://www.duke-energy.com/news/releases/20141113
> 01.asp) have to be the motivation for this. With
> all the improvements to the NCRR between Charlotte
> and Raleigh, NS certainly doesn't need an
> alternative route into Raleigh via the original NS
> - nor can I imagine NS routing freight to
> Fayetteville via Cumnock, Colon, and Duncan.

I'm glad to see the track work happening and hope that's the
case and it's a done deal? They won't hold any public hearings
on the coal ash until April from what I understand. It will be
a while before anything moves the way it looks but I have hope.
Thanks ctillnc, I appreciate it!


Jay

Thanks rantoul, I found a lot of stuff...


Jay