CSX main line double headers! seat of your pants railroading!

[Anonymous]

Today I was on a CSX COFC train on the New York Central Main Line....When i was passed by another TOFC train on the next track. Both trains were neck and neck and were going west at the same speed at the same time. Which ment that the engineer could wave at me on the next train and ask me were i was heading! While were both heading down the tracks west at 55 MPH side by side. We this did for about 25 miles before the train was allowed to pass us but my train only slowed a little bit before swithing tracks to the right hand track. The east bound trains were moving at good clip tward us. It seems that the dispatchers were waiting till the last switch to move juggle about 3 trains west and 4 trains east incluiding two Amtraks.
Had a switch jammed it would have been one big mess between Rochester and Buffalo. Its time to bring back the 4 track main line.

[Junctionfan]

Between Frontier Yard and Selkirk, I am in absolute agreement.

[Anonymous]

That would be something that would be neat to see, hopefully one of these days I'll be lucky enough to see it in person.

[JoeKoh]

I 've seen a set of engines passing another westbound before. It is nice to see.
stay safe
Joe

[locomutt]

That would really great to see,so long as you are in the cab,and
not some where else on the train.

[Junctionfan]

QUOTE: Originally posted by trainfinder23

Today I was on a CSX COFC train on the New York Central Main Line....When i was passed by another TOFC train on the next track. Both trains were neck and neck and were going west at the same speed at the same time. Which ment that the engineer could wave at me on the next train and ask me were i was heading! While were both heading down the tracks west at 55 MPH side by side. We this did for about 25 miles before the train was allowed to pass us but my train only slowed a little bit before swithing tracks to the right hand track. The east bound trains were moving at good clip tward us. It seems that the dispatchers were waiting till the last switch to move juggle about 3 trains west and 4 trains east incluiding two Amtraks.
Had a switch jammed it would have been one big mess between Rochester and Buffalo. Its time to bring back the 4 track main line.

I find that most of the intermodals arrive or depart relatively within the afternoon period. I don't know why CSX didn't quadruple the line between Tift Street in Buffalo to the Frontier Yard for extra passing siding and for extra crew change point locations. Than 4 tracks between Frontier Yard to the point where it can be separated after Selkirk; one set of doubles heads toward Boston and the other set of doubles heads toward New York. If I am not mistaken NS abandoned Tift Street Yard in favour of the Bison so CSX could turn the old land into an intermodal yard and crew change and keep the Frontier Yard staging leads more free.

[AntonioFP45]

JunctionFan,

Good question about quadrupling the main line. While "it seems" practical and efficient operations wise, it's more than likely that this won't be done due to:

[1] Being taxed for every mile of track owned
[2] Increased maintenace costs.

10-4!

[Anonymous]

Seemed today thats how the Capitol sub was. 2 eastbounds at the same time, then 2 westbounds at the same time. 2 track as well. its been that way since B&O built it!

[Junctionfan]

Well they riped out the Seneca Yard so in theory at least between Tift and Rochester it would about cost the same as having the Senaca Yard still. Rochester isn't all that far from Selkirk and I am sure that CSX is removing lines or abandoning lines so they could spare the track tax and still remove enough to pay lower taxes. At Frontier Yard, I notice that there is enough room for a few yard leads to become staging and the Frontier Yard could expand a couple of tracks North. Even triple tracking with the middle used as a multi directional passing siding would be better than double.

[CSXrules4eva]

QUOTE: Originally posted by trainfinder23

Today I was on a CSX COFC train on the New York Central Main Line....When i was passed by another TOFC train on the next track. Both trains were neck and neck and were going west at the same speed at the same time. Which ment that the engineer could wave at me on the next train and ask me were i was heading! While were both heading down the tracks west at 55 MPH side by side. We this did for about 25 miles before the train was allowed to pass us but my train only slowed a little bit before swithing tracks to the right hand track. The east bound trains were moving at good clip tward us. It seems that the dispatchers were waiting till the last switch to move juggle about 3 trains west and 4 trains east incluiding two Amtraks.
Had a switch jammed it would have been one big mess between Rochester and Buffalo. Its time to bring back the 4 track main line.

YEA MAN now that's something I'd want to see or be involved in. It almost sounds as if u were drag racing. I wonder wut kind of motive power u were runing?. :) I was in the cab of a GE electric unit owned by SETPA traveling at @ 62mph, looked to the right of me and saw another electric unit (R8 SEPTA) traveling at the same velocity. We did this on the Northeast Corridor going to 30th St Station for approx: 3 1/4 miles. It was fun but, doesn't compare to two diesels going at it.[:D]

[tpatrick]

No state taxes like New York! If the pols in Albany could look past their lust for tax dollars, they might discover that an expanded CSX (with no tax increase) would attract enough new lineside business to more than make up for the property tax loss. Lower taxes = more business = more jobs = higher tax revenues.

[tpatrick]

Also consider this: Amtrak and New York state could build two 110 mph passenger tracks on the existing right of way. This would complement the planned high speed line between NYC and Albany and provide fast service all the way to Buffalo. CSX would be invited to use the rails on a not to interfere basis, for a fee. This plan would result in better passenger service, expanded freight service and relieve some congestion from the Thruway all in one swell foop!

[Junctionfan]

Between Selkirk and Frontier there is alot of trains that just start from Selkirk and terminate at Frontier. Also where does the Depew Lancaster and Western go. So many industries along that line you would think the switching alone would clog up the mainline. Intermodals, passengers, manifests, coal, grain, chemical, trash?, steel and other unit trains with a grand total of 100+ mainline trains a day. That is not excluding the switchers, the shortlines that may cross or use sections, CN and CP trackage rights? It is a little nuts for two tracks to handle don't you think.

[CSXrules4eva]

QUOTE: Originally posted by tpatrick

Also consider this: Amtrak and New York state could build two 110 mph passenger tracks on the existing right of way. This would complement the planned high speed line between NYC and Albany and provide fast service all the way to Buffalo. CSX would be invited to use the rails on a not to interfere basis, for a fee. This plan would result in better passenger service, expanded freight service and relieve some congestion from the Thruway all in one swell foop!

I do agree w/ ya here your plan will releive congestion possibly eliminating long waits. Unfortunately, Amtrak doen't have enough money to invest in heavy construction projects on it's routes. They barly had enought money to replace the old rail between 30th Street Station and North Philly Station on the Northeast Corridor. They had to halt their "reestablishemt of new rail on the Corridor because of money problems. I was a little bit hott at this since it held up SEPTA and NJT's trains, but Its All Good, I still like Amtrak and I still like CEO David Gunn.