Martinsville, VA railroads

[ironhorseman]

I read on the internet that Martinsville speedway is planning renovations which include moving the train tracks away from the race track.

Does anybody know the name of the railroad that runs by the racetrack? Or are those tracks even used? And, if so, how did the Speedway convice the railroad to move its tracks?

I've never been there and Mapquest shows Norfolk and Western and Southern Railroad run through that area but that can't be right since the two railroads don't exist anymore.

Just an interested railfan/racefan from Kansas.

signed,
ironhorseman

[Anonymous]

The tracks are NS's Winston Salem District, former N&W Shenandoah Division-South. The now are part of NS Virginia Division. They are quite busy, anywhere from 5 to 9 trains a day in each direction. Traffic includes Belews Creek coal trains, Corn Products grain trains, auto rack trains for the distribution lot at Winston Salem and variety of mixed freight. The tracks run exremely close to the Martinsville Speedway and race patrons cross the track at grade. It is everyone's interest to reconfigure the line.
Regards and have a safe day. gdc
Regards and have a safe day. gdc

[Anonymous]

I remember watching one of the qualifing sessions at Martinsville last year were they showed some good shots of NS coal trains during lulls in the action, this was on Speedvision I believe...........

[ironhorseman]

thank you, both of you have been most helpful

ironhorseman

[Anonymous]

Guys, from what I read NS has given their proposal
for moving the line 350 feet. This is to aid in the expansion of the back stretch seats. Martinsville is becoming a more popular short track on the NASCAR circuit. I was at the fall race in '98 and I too enjoyed railfanning from the
grandstand while watching the race.
bigdaddyb

[Anonymous]

Guys, from what I read, NS has given their proposal to move the line 350 feet to Martinsville
Speedway. This is to aid in the expansion of the back stretch seats. It is becoming a more popular short track on the Nascar circuit. I was there in the fall of '98 and I too enjoyed railfanning from the grandstand.
bigdaddyb

[Modelcar]

....I've seen trains pass there in the past while a race was in progress. Don't remember how long ago it was...When they use a closeup picture from the skycam and the tracks are visible, they do look to be tracks that are in use. If you note that N & W and Southern are old listings then chances are it is now Norfolk Southern RR.

QM

[Anonymous]

The Southern had a line through Martinsville. I think it was originally the Danville & Western. It was intended to go from Danville, VA to the mountains but never got but a few miles west of Martinsville. A branch serving Eden, NC is still in use from Danville, but the west end was abandoned. A few years ago some rusty remnants were still in place in Martinsville.

[Modelcar]

...I am sure it is a good thing the tracks will be moved for safety sake. For both the RR and the Martinsville Speedway and the fans safety of course. I do always watch for trains when the skycam is in use and the tracks are visible....Best of both hobbies, rails and racecars.

QM

[ironhorseman]

Last previous post was Mar 16, 2003:

So what's the status of the RR tracks by the race track now since the 11 months I first asked about it? Is it better now that the tracks were moved? Anybody who's been there have any pictures of trains going by there (or anywhere in Martinsville for that matter)?

Next race there is the weekend of April 18.

POLL:
Of the two 1/2 mile tracks: Bristol and Martinsville, which is your favorite?
1- Bristol
2- Martinsville

I vote for Bristol. No, wait, I vote for Martinsville cause they have trains. Ah, but Bristol has steeper banking. But Martinsville=trains. Oh, what to choose? what to choose?

[Train Guy 3]

Well if I'm correct the tracks were finished being moved by October of last year, I know the new seats were in place. I'll have to cheak my racing photos but i do believe I have some train photos from there.