NS in Appalachia

[Deggesty]

In today's Newswire story about Hunter Harrison, there is a comment from Alan Shaw of the NS, wherein he mentions NS as having abandoned about 300 mles in Appalachia. I do not recall seeing anything about this. Can someone enlighten me? 

Thanks

[kgbw49]

A big chunk of the former Virginian in West Virginia has been mothballed.

In addition, numerous coal mines have been closing as the US Government's policies on coal are closing coal-fired power plants which in turn is resulting in the closure of Appalachian mines as demand drys up. As a result, numerous branch lines either have been or will have to be mothballed also.

[Deggesty]

kgbw49

A big chunk of the former Virginian in West Virginia has been mothballed.

In addition, numerous coal mines have been closing as the US Government's policies on coal are closing coal-fired power plants which in turn is resulting in the closure of Appalachian mines as demand drys up. As a result, numerous branch lines either have been or will have to be mothballed also.

 

Yes, I remember reading about the Virginian--and when "Appalachia" was mentioned, I thought of southwest Virginia, and wondered what had been abandoned.

Thanks for the reminder.

[caldreamer]

Did'nt NS use the former Virginian lines as one way traffic and the form N&W track the other to enhance traffic flow?  The lines paralell each other.

[kgbw49]

I believe in that region the former N&W is double track.

[MidlandMike]

caldreamer

Did'nt NS use the former Virginian lines as one way traffic and the form N&W track the other to enhance traffic flow?  The lines paralell each other.

 

Yes there was an aspect of that, but I can't remember if it was for favorable grades or other.  It is one of the reasons for the demise of VGN electrification, since motive power could not be balanced as N&W was no longer electrified.