NS Line Realignment

[Anonymous]

I sent Trains an email about this, but have not heard anything back yet so I figured I would ask here. I heard that the NS was going to re-align the Southern West district from St. Louis, MO to Princeton, IN to move off of the property of Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. I was stationed there recently (I am in the USAF, but now stationed in England), and I am modelling this line. I think this is going to be quite interesting as there isnt a whole lot of places the line could go to detour around the base. Has anyone heard anything about this?

Matt

[Anonymous]

Although I myself don't know anything but a little bit about the Eastern lines of the Southern. I would hope that some of Mr. Claytor's sons or daughters could help this guy model a goodly part of what was a part of the old Southern system.[^][tup]

[wabash1]

the property as you call it is the railroads. the base was built around the railroad. and then to the other side. also the new airport made the same statement that they would have the railroad moved and the runways made longer so they could get biger plains in there. guess what the railroad is still thier nothing has moved. and scott is destined to close in a few years anyways and that aint the word from a airman . much higher up.

[Anonymous]

Wouldnt be a good prototype modeller if I didnt know the history. Interesting note about the airmen there, two were charged with murder back in the 40s or 50s (Id have to check my book) for throwing a switch against a Southern fast freight, derailing the locomotive and killing the crew. The spurs that used to run to all of the warehouses in the area are for the most part gone, except for one we unearthed by accident while doing a road repair project. Apparently this line has become a security concern post 9/11 (understandably so), and now they want to go forth and move it. Hopefully the base does not close too soon, I was hoping to finish out my career and retire from the USAF there....Love that area!!!

Matt

[CSSHEGEWISCH]

This isn't the first railroad to be re-aligned around an airport. Prior to World War II, the 59th Street line of the BRC was moved to its current alignment to accomodate the expansion of Chicago Municipal Airport (later renamed Midway). Of course, there was almost nothing there at the time, so it wasn't too hard to do.

[MP57313]

QUOTE: Originally posted by CSSHEGEWISCH

This isn't the first railroad to be re-aligned around an airport. .

Same seems to be true at Las Vegas's McCarran Airport...UP branch makes a jog around the southwest corner of the property.

[wabash1]

QUOTE: Originally posted by marcmr

Wouldnt be a good prototype modeller if I didnt know the history. Interesting note about the airmen there, two were charged with murder back in the 40s or 50s (Id have to check my book) for throwing a switch against a Southern fast freight, derailing the locomotive and killing the crew. The spurs that used to run to all of the warehouses in the area are for the most part gone, except for one we unearthed by accident while doing a road repair project. Apparently this line has become a security concern post 9/11 (understandably so), and now they want to go forth and move it. Hopefully the base does not close too soon, I was hoping to finish out my career and retire from the USAF there....Love that area!!!

Matt
the railroad was there first then came the base then the base was going to close then they said we cant close it so they exspanded it to the other side of the tracks . they then built mid america airport and said they will move the railroad. this has been a ongoing thing since the mid 70s with the base and now the airport. and the safty record supercedes there concerns. like you said that only accident was due to someone throwing that switch . someone on the crew made the stament that they saw no green light for the switch and by then it was to late. not all the crew mebers died . but the switch is gone and has been since the mid 70s. yes the area is nice the base last i heard was to close now in 2006. but that probley wont happen.