Oct 2004 issue - BNSF; Buckingham Branch; UP map

[wcfan4ever]

Amazing where BNSF has great traffic growth. Its great to see 100 trains a day not only for the railfans but it shows that business is not slowing down. Also means more crews are needed so that shows that following your dream of working for the railroad have better chances.

[MP57313]

I just received the Oct issue of Trains today...interesting main article on the BNSF (ATSF) main line. The growth in train volume is amazing...almost up to 100 trains/day between LA-Fullerton.

Meanwhile, in a couple of other areas it mentions the "Buckingham Branch" attempting to lease the CSX (C&O) line in Virginia; this includes the rough segment [Gordonsville-Orange] traveled by Amtrak's Cardinal that I mentioned in another post. The track between Gordonsville, Charlottesville and Staunton is somewhat better; I've never traveled as far as Clifton Forge.

The Amtrak table on page 15 has a minor typo [s/b spelled 'Culpeper', though it is pronounced 'Culpepper'.]

The UP map shows the Tennessee Pass line as 'out of service' but shows a solid line west of Phoenix. Phoenix still has through-route service, or does it mean the line has not been "formally abandoned"?

MP