For those that were hoping that NS would reactivate Saluda, I guess this seals it fate...
www.stb.dot.gov/filings/all.nsf/ba7f93537688b8e5852573210004b318/11a875a6792b354f85257cd300704442/$FILE/236026.pdf
At least the Hendersonville-Pisgah Forest line may see reactivation under Blue Ridge Southern. Any speculation as to what motive power we may see?
For those in NS territory: Keep your ears open as NS is planning to unload more branchlines and unused track in the coming months.
Robyn (CarolinaRail)
Carolina Road For those that were hoping that NS would reactivate Saluda, I guess this seals it fate... http://www.stb.dot.gov/filings/all.nsf/ba7f93537688b8e5852573210004b318/11a875a6792b354f85257cd300704442/$FILE/236026.pdf At least the Hendersonville-Pisgah Forest line may see reactivation under Blue Ridge Southern. Any speculation as to what motive power we may see? For those in NS territory: Keep your ears open as NS is planning to unload more branchlines and unused track in the coming months. Robyn (CarolinaRail)
http://www.stb.dot.gov/filings/all.nsf/ba7f93537688b8e5852573210004b318/11a875a6792b354f85257cd300704442/$FILE/236026.pdf
Thought I could activate the link and pull it up...MY MISTAKE!
Working heated link: www.stb.dot.gov/filings/all.nsf/ba7f93537688b8e5852573210004b318/11a875a6792b354f85257cd300704442/$FILE/236026.pdf
Why would the TR line be reactivated? There are no customers.
Sorry about the link not working in the original post.
As far as no customers, true. But, there is still industry along the line that could support rail service, IF an shortline operator like WATCO came in and market it. There is also a possibility that Henderson and/or Transylvania Counties may have something that will require rail service in the very near future.
At any rate, I would rather see a section of track reactivated and used again, rather than to be ripped up and paved over as another rails to trails route (This from someone that frequently bikes/hikes over former railroad ROW now in use as trails.).
Well, a bit of good news for WATCO. For awhile, at least. I suspect NS thought Duke would convert the plant entirely to natural gas or close it down, and lose their biggest customer on the nearly dead W-Line. This was probably one of their many reasons for selling/leasing to WATCO.
Duke: Switch from coal not an option at Asheville plant
Long story short, there is not enough natural gas flowing into western North Carolina to generate the current output from coal, and there is too much electrical demand in the region to shutter the plant.
Map from WATCO of the new Blue Ridge Southern Railroad.
The Blue Ridge Southern loses a big customer. No doubt Norfolk Southern foresaw this happening before they sold. If you ask me, NS is a-couple-more-coal-plants-shutting-down (e.g., Belmont, Catawba, Wateree) away from pulling completely out of western North Carolina.
Duke plans to retire Asheville coal plant, replace with natural gas
The Blue Ridge Southern has polished the rails on the W-Line in Hendersonville and Flat Rock.
While on Google Maps, I found covered hoppers being stored in Flat Rock near the old GE Lighting spur. Note that Google currently can't make up it's mind what imagery to show right now, so you may not see the hoppers when you click the link. Best I can tell, the imagery is from October 2015.
Then I found these two videos uploaded to YouTube of the hoppers being backed down the line. The first is near the Hendersonville depot, the second is at the Brooklyn Avenue crossing.
Then I discovered on the new orthoimagery that the dirt mound covering the TR-Line to Pisgah Forest has been removed and the tracks have been reconnected. I don't know if any maintenance has been done to the line, or if this is more of a statement, i.e., "We're open for business." I'm also curious if the grade crossing signal lights are still bagged on the line. I am assuming with the rails reconnected that the line is technically active now.
And before someone asks, the other dirt mound is still on the tracks east of Flat Rock going to Saluda. Norfolk Southern owns the W-Line from that point on.
The significance of this, I should add, is that there hasn't been a freight train on these tracks in twelve to fourteen years. In the second video you can see on the other side of the train where people have come out to watch.
And now people are complaining about it.
Eyesore train tanker cars removed from Flat Rock community
Didn't see this in the newswire or posted anywhere else, but WATCO has sold the TR branch line from Hendersonville to Pisgah Forest to a conservation group that plans to convert the line to a rail trail.Conserving Carolina reaches deal to buy corridor from railroad for Ecusta Trail
Hope somebody gets busy and talks to STB about this. (nothing there)
No abandonment docket and no NITU/CITU. Trail R/W is at risk of reverting to adjoining owners if R/W Deeds, federal grants (ulikely here) or any other deed with a reversionary clause is involved.
When will they ever learn?
WATCO has a reputation of being late to the table and incomplete regarding abandonment proceedings.
I thought NS only leased the lines to Watco ?
Sold - redacted docs on WATCO Finance Docket from 2014. (and NS still controls the traffic going to or coming off it)
WATCO has sold the TR branch for $7.8 million. Construction of the trail is estimated to cost at least $30 million. Some property owners are starting a lawsuit for compensation, but it doesn't seem to have slowed down the sale.Rail line purchased for Ecusta Trail; Campaign launched to fund construction
Drove past the Asheville power plant a couple years ago. The coal smoke in the air would knock you down. Then drove into Canton where the paper mill is. PU. Not impressed with Asheville. I know Biltmore is there, but you can have the town.
GrampDrove past the Asheville power plant a couple years ago. The coal smoke in the air would knock you down. Then drove into Canton where the paper mill is. PU. Not impressed with Asheville. I know Biltmore is there, but you can have the town.
My son live in Ashville from 2000 to 2002. He never commented on either the coal smoke or the papermill smells. I visited him for a couple of days each year - didn't notice anything objectionable.
Jacksonville, when I moved there in 1990 had a severe case of papermill smells. In the 21st Century the papermill smells are gone - and so are the mills and the jobs they supported.
Be careful for what you seek.
Never too old to have a happy childhood!
Never heard any one complain about the coal or noticed it myself. It was converted to natural gas a couple of years ago. Plenty of complaints about the paper mill though (which is 20 miles west of Asheville)....
I've lived in paper valley the last 50 years. I know how mills can smell. This one was exceptional. Was closer to 5 years ago rather than two. Time flies. Power plant was at Lake Julian if I recall.
dubch87 WATCO has sold the TR branch for $7.8 million. Construction of the trail is estimated to cost at least $30 million. Some property owners are starting a lawsuit for compensation, but it doesn't seem to have slowed down the sale.Rail line purchased for Ecusta Trail; Campaign launched to fund construction
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