Eastern Railroad Discussion > Questions About NS Secondary Lines in Georgia and Alabama

Good Morning:

Now that much of the NS congestion NS has eased around Birmingham and Atlanta, how much traffic per day now operates on the NA/West End District between Birmingham and Sheffield, AL? Is the line still downgraded to 25 mph and not getting PTC?

Also, are there still only 2 through freights per day between Birmingham and Macon via Columbus? What is the maximum authorized speed for that line?

Lastly, what trains are currently running on the former Central of Georgia between Atlanta and Macon, GA? Is the maximum speed on that line still 40 mph?

I hope NS keeps these routes, especially since they are adopting aspects of precision scheduled railroading.

Thank you in advance.

NS just did a tie and surfacing at least on the south end of the Griffin District.  NS even ripped up all the highway grade crossiings so ties underneath could be replaced and track properly aligned.  Not many places to get an overhead view of the track, but view from Bass Road bridge gives ome the impression that the track is good for far more than 40 mph.  361 (?) came south earlier this morrning and from time between blowing for crossaings at Wesleyan Drive and Tucker Road, it was not a slow train.  One has to wonder why NS has not done something about the cleatance restrictions near downtown Macon that keep double stacks off this line.  My home here in Macon is a block and a half from the track, but trees and other homes block the view.  

John

 

PRR_4859 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Good Morning:
>
> Now that much of the NS congestion NS has eased
> around Birmingham and Atlanta, how much traffic
> per day now operates on the NA/West End District
> between Birmingham and Sheffield, AL? Is the line
> still downgraded to 25 mph and not getting PTC?

The NA District sees only 2 through freights a day, 320 and 329.  Empty coal, autorack, and baretable trains are routed that way on occasion.  There are a few locals on the line as well.  

> Also, are there still only 2 through freights per
> day between Birmingham and Macon via Columbus?
> What is the maximum authorized speed for that
> line?

The CofG and Columbus Districts have 4 through freights: 137, 186, 187, and 198.  Empty Scherer coal trains can be routed this way.  Occasional unit rock trains run out of Junction City and unit ballast trains run out of Columbus.  I believe the top speed on the Columbus District is 49 mph.

> Lastly, what trains are currently running on the
> former Central of Georgia between Atlanta and
> Macon, GA? Is the maximum speed on that line
> still 40 mph?

180 and 361 are the only through freights on the Griffin District.  There are occasional grain trains to Forsyth.  There are 4 locals based in Griffin and another between Macon and Barnesville.

Andrew

florida581 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> The CofG and Columbus Districts have 4 through
> freights: 137, 186, 187, and 198.  Empty Scherer
> coal trains can be routed this way.  Occasional
> unit rock trains run out of Junction City and unit
> ballast trains run out of Columbus.  I believe
> the top speed on the Columbus District is 49 mph.
>

Have heard there are issues with crew shortage Macon to Columbus of late.
Thus we see / hear 187 or M87 often come west on the Alabama East End. 
Heard a 198 go east through here recently.
What we get a lot of late and on some days, two west bound empty Scherer trains.
NSSpike

Phil Maton
Villa Rica, GA

For some months now, G02, the Macon-Barnesville local has had a very different schedule than in past years.  G02 leaves Macon on Monday and does not return until Wednesday.  Train leaves Macon on Thursday and does nor return until Friday.  I have not followed the train, but radio chatter indicates train is sometimes kept overnigh on the Hanson Quarry spur just south of MP S-209.

John

> Is the line still downgraded to 25 mph and not getting PTC?

For historical reference, the line was 55 mph in the 1980s. Among other trains there was a B'ham-Little Rock run-through with MP at Memphis. 

Is there a speed restriction at the Federal level on lines not equipped with PTC? As far as I know, the CSX Georgia Sub is still at 50 mph for the two daily intermodal trains, and it sure isn't getting PTC.

The "S line" (CofG Macon-Atlanta, Griffin div) should have the speed raised from South of Forsyth, to around Payne, to 50 MPH soon.  (Give or take a few miles from Forsyth and to Payne) The ballast and substructure has to settle properly, and it has to be visually inspected closely before the speed will be raised.   The T&S project is NB, and well on it's way to Griffin now, I understand the "Boatright" crossties may have been used in some places some years ago, that would necessitate earlier replacement, but it is time for a good T&S regardless.   

Glad to hear NS is investing in the Griffin District.