Eastern Railroad Discussion > FRA Inspection train on the NO&NE

8/8/2022

Got wind of the FRA inspection train running on NS' NO&NE today between Hattiesburg and Meridian. Although the FRA train itself is always neat to see, I was after the unit on the head-end. CN 5463, one of the former Oakway (EMDX) SD60's they have on the roster. Although it's an SD60, seeing a standard cab on the big rail in 2022 is always a welcomed sight!

Enjoy!
-Dylan

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Nice catch. Wasn't aware the Hattiesburg line had signals?
JB

Yes, NS’ Meridian to New Orleans line has signals and PTC. Block signals and track warrants still, but it’s up to modern enough standards.

Super catch and excellent photo.
ALLEN

Great catch.
Bob

Classic scene, looks like Mississippi received enough precipitation this year, with everything looking 
green and growning. Famers should be happy and looking foreward to a good harvest.

As opposed to the conditions in the Great Lakes state I live in, we had a period of about 2 months of no
rain.

> Yes, NS’ Meridian to New Orleans line has signals and PTC. Block signals and track warrants
> still, but it’s up to modern enough standards.

For whatever reason, when Southern installed CTC between Austell and Meridian in the early 1980s, they didn't extend it to New Orleans.

>
> For whatever reason, when Southern installed CTC
> between Austell and Meridian in the early 1980s,
> they didn't extend it to New Orleans.

Has alway's been a mystery to me also. Folks have claimed it's because of the different districts and former railroads. Meridian to Birmingham (AGS south) and Meridian to NOL (NO&NE). It used to be cool to railfan on the NO&NE though since it was track warrant territory and you could hear where the trains were going and plan your shots, but now they simply tone up the dispatcher and send it over to the crew via PTC. No more verbal stuff, so everything is a mystery.

Very nice..!!