The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has released the Draft Executive Summary of the Comprehensive State Rail Plan. "The NCDOT Rail Division developed this Comprehensive Statewide Rail Plan to help identify needs and guide investments in the state’s freight and passenger rail network for the next 20 years." Included in this plan is the reactivation of the Murphy Branch between Andrews and Murphy (page 8). It is slated as a mid-term need (6-10 years out), with costs estimated at $16.4 million.
NCDOT purchased the Murphy Branch west of Dillsboro in 1988 from Norfolk Southern. The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad purchased the segment between Andrews and Dillsboro in 1996, and operates tourist excursions (and some freight interchanges in Sylva). The GSMR has an interchange with the Blue Ridge Southern Railroad (BLU) in Sylva. BLU (Watco) purchased the Murphy Branch from Asheville to Sylva from Norfolk Southern in 2014.
Being from western NC, I'm excited to see any increase in rail traffic for the region. But I'm a bit surprised at the proposal. I suppose it's mainly as an incentive to lure manufacturers to Cherokee County, which has had one of the highest unemployment rates in North Carolina (maxed at 17.5% in Jan. 2010). I just don't see much happening as a result of the reactivation. This isn't a "build it and they will come" scenario. It's a dead end on a long, mountainous branch line with grades over 4% in a remote area. But who knows?
There is also no mention in the plan of NS's inactive steep hill on the eastern side of the mountains.
JoeBlowWhat has been the Blue Ridge Southern Railroad's track record on its current trackage? Do their customers feel they are doing a better job than the previous owner when it comes to the level of service?
I don't know the answer to that one.
The Asheville Citizen-Times had an article on the rail plan today, and mentioned the Andrews to Murphy reactivation. They quoted Kim Albritton, Vice President and General Manager of the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad saying, "We'd very much like to be a freight hauler." I found that interesting for a tourist railroad, but I'm sure the additional revenue would be welcomed. The article also mentions an industry considered locating to Marble and needing rail access, but the plan did not come to fruition.
A pie in the sky addition would be for NC DOT to buy the old L&N ROW Murphy - Ga northeast RR. There used to be some interchange traffic at Murphy in the 50s and 60s. Before that there was an overnight sleeper Asheville - Atlanta. Anyone with dates?
NCDOT Andrews to Murphy Rail Reactivation Study website
Andrews to Murphy (A2M) Rail Reactivation Study report (.pdf)
blue streak 1 A pie in the sky addition would be for NC DOT to buy the old L&N ROW Murphy - Ga northeast RR. There used to be some interchange traffic at Murphy in the 50s and 60s. Before that there was an overnight sleeper Asheville - Atlanta. Anyone with dates?
Looking at Google Maps, it appears the RoW is gone.
dubch87 NCDOT Andrews to Murphy Rail Reactivation Study website Andrews to Murphy (A2M) Rail Reactivation Study report (.pdf)
As a point of interest in the area being discussed {N.E. Tenn and Cherokee County Ga. areas] The railroad there has some interesting history. See This link to Ga. Northest RR website/history. @ http://gnrr.com/history-2/
Part of this line was, as noted the old L&N "Hook and Eye" line. I am not exactly familiar with this area, but I think I remember that one of the big shippers was the now defunct Copper Smelter (Copper Hill,Tn.) and I think that the line may also be cut by the TVA's Fontanna Lake and Dam Project(?).
samfp1943Part of this line was, as noted the old L&N "Hook and Eye" line. I am not exactly familiar with this area, but I think I remember that one of the big shippers was the now defunct Copper Smelter (Copper Hill,Tn.) and I think that the line may also be cut by the TVA's Fontana Lake and Dam Project(?).
Fontana was built 1941-1945. The G&N Web site indicates that the line was operated into the 1980s, so if anything had to be 'realigned' either during construction at Fontana or as its reservoir came up to depth, it would involve new track and not a 'cut' of the line or interruption of service.
It would be interesting to see what might have been involved. Personally I'd like to see how all the concrete and materials to build Fontana Dam reached the site...
The Hook and Eye is essentially intact, but out of service. The line also does not enter North Carolina, although it gets within a quarter mile of the state line. Fontana Dam is about 40 miles northeast of the line at its closest, and is closest to Southern's Murphy Branch (connects to the former L&N Murphy Branch off the H&E at Murphy) which did require extensive relocation to avoid being cut off. The nearest abandoned rail line to the dam is the former Graham County Railroad (1905-1984) line to Robbinsville, though even that is nearly 10 miles in rough terrain. I wonder if they built a spur off the SOU Murphy Branch for construction?
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Electroliner 1935 Replying to dubchi87, Electroliner 1935 responds: I noticed the article stated "Amtrak now covers 93 percent of its costs through ticket sales and other revenue." That seems suspicious. Anyone thing that sounds right?
Replying to dubchi87, Electroliner 1935 responds:
NorthWest The Hook and Eye is essentially intact, but out of service. The line also does not enter North Carolina, although it gets within a quarter mile of the state line. Fontana Dam is about 40 miles northeast of the line at its closest, and is closest to Southern's Murphy Branch (connects to the former L&N Murphy Branch off the H&E at Murphy) which did require extensive relocation to avoid being cut off. The nearest abandoned rail line to the dam is the former Graham County Railroad (1905-1984) line to Robbinsville, though even that is nearly 10 miles in rough terrain. I wonder if they built a spur off the SOU Murphy Branch for construction?
I haven't been able to find specifics, but the TVA website has a history page on the Fontana Dam, stating that "Construction crews widened the one-lane road and built a two-mile spur from the nearest railway line so heavy equipment and supplies could be hauled in."
Electroliner 1935 I noticed the article stated "Amtrak now covers 93 percent of its costs through ticket sales and other revenue." That seems suspicious. Anyone thing that sounds right?
Yes, that is what Amtrak says. That counts states support as revenue.
Is this line anywhere near Saluda?
Modeling the "Fargo Area Rapid Transit" in O scale 3 rail.
It is pretty close. The Murphy Branch starts in Asheville, NC, where the Saluda Line heads south.
NorthWest It is pretty close. The Murphy Branch starts in Asheville, NC, where the Saluda Line heads south.
Johnny
Condensed Map Link
dubch87 The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has released the Draft Executive Summary of the Comprehensive State Rail Plan. "The NCDOT Rail Division developed this Comprehensive Statewide Rail Plan to help identify needs and guide investments in the state’s freight and passenger rail network for the next 20 years." Included in this plan is the reactivation of the Murphy Branch between Andrews and Murphy (page 8). It is slated as a mid-term need (6-10 years out), with costs estimated at $16.4 million. NCDOT purchased the Murphy Branch west of Dillsboro in 1988 from Norfolk Southern. The Great Smoky Mountains Railroad purchased the segment between Andrews and Dillsboro in 1996, and operates tourist excursions (and some freight interchanges in Sylva). The GSMR has an interchange with the Blue Ridge Southern Railroad (BLU) in Sylva. BLU (Watco) purchased the Murphy Branch from Asheville to Sylva from Norfolk Southern in 2014. Being from western NC, I'm excited to see any increase in rail traffic for the region. But I'm a bit surprised at the proposal. I suppose it's mainly as an incentive to lure manufacturers to Cherokee County, which has had one of the highest unemployment rates in North Carolina (maxed at 17.5% in Jan. 2010). I just don't see much happening as a result of the reactivation. This isn't a "build it and they will come" scenario. It's a dead end on a long, mountainous branch line with grades over 4% in a remote area. But who knows? There is also no mention in the plan of NS's inactive steep hill on the eastern side of the mountains.
Hi! I am very keen to know whether the Andrews to Murphy line is finally reactivated or whether there has been significant progress made in the effort to revitalize the glorious track. The reports on the NCDOT website are not available due to some reasons and I am not sure where to find about the status of this project. Any updates?
Thanks
As far I know the project has been shelved. Was probably a pipe dream from the start. Railroading is nearly dead in western North Carolina.Here are updated links, until they're broken again. It appears the project page has been removed entirely.NCDOT Comprehensive State Rail Plan (2015) pageAndrews to Murphy Rail Reactivation Study (2015)
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