NS use of Charleston Secondary

[Anonymous]

In 1999 I believe, Trains ran an article on the Charleston Secondary which included statements regarding NS's intent to upgrade and utilize this route to alleviate some of the coal traffic thru Russell and Portsmouth on its way north (west). I live along this line just southeast of Columbus, Ohio and have noticed work to significantly maintain the line (whether it has been an upgrade is still in question) but to-date no apprecable increase in traffic is apparent. Has this effort been abandoned or has it been set aside as a result of the economic times? During the late days of CONRAIL, it was really a treat to see the heavy trains with 2 or 3 helpers (sometimes on the rear and others mid-train) moving up the continuous grade out of the Ohio River Valley. Now, with the new generation of increased horsepower, even that does not seem as frequent.

[ValleyX]

Actually, it's the West Virginia Secondary. I grew up along its line long ago enough to watch the New York Central. Long ago enough that I saw coal trains moving south, that I learned years later came from Columbus enroute to Thurston to go up the Eastern Branch via Bucyrus. Long ago enough that I know that it was actually considered for abandonment when the plans were being developed for Conrail. Yet, it still lives but the traffic isn't huge and I, too, wonder what, if any, long range plans there are for the line.

[cpbloom]

I live really close to where Refugee Rd. crosses the tracks near Hines Rd NW. It does appear that they have done work on the line and at that intersection there is one of those little metal "huts" (what are those called?), that wasn't there last year. It looks like they put better crossing gates there too. I think that is a dangerous intersection that could get worse as the urban sprawl puts more traffic out here.

It seems that the rail traffic has slightly increased but I can't say for sure.

[locomutt]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cpbloom

I live really close to where Refugee Rd. crosses the tracks near Hines Rd NW. It does appear that they have done work on the line and at that intersection there is one of those little metal "huts" (what are those called?), that wasn't there last year. It looks like they put better crossing gates there too. I think that is a dangerous intersection that could get worse as the urban sprawl puts more traffic out here.

It seems that the rail traffic has slightly increased but I can't say for sure.

Is that the rail line on the "east" side of Charleston,across the Kanawha?
And cpbloom,when I worked in that "trade",those "little metal huts" were
called "bungalows"[:)]

[cpbloom]

Unfortunately I know nothing about that part in WV besides what I see on maps. The streets I named are just outside of Columbus on the SE side.

I thought the "huts" were called control points (CP, like CP-Bloom on the NS Pittsburgh line).

[locomutt]

QUOTE: Originally posted by cpbloom

Unfortunately I know nothing about that part in WV besides what I see on maps. The streets I named are just outside of Columbus on the SE side.

I thought the "huts" were called control points (CP, like CP-Bloom on the NS Pittsburgh line).

You are correct,the CP does stand for "Control Point"
The "huts" or "bungalows" are what house the equipment that "control"
that location.