N S on Saluda, N C grade....

[Modelcar]

I understand the route of N S up the grade through Saluda, N C has been "railbanked"...No more trains since this past December. Has anyone heard any update of the future of this route..?

QM

[Anonymous]

At last I heard, the Great Smoky Mountains Railway, a tourist railroad was trying to buy it from NS, but that was a while back. And since the Great Smoky Mountains Railway carries freight at night and tourist during the day. I think the problem is they can't work out interchange rates with NS.

[Modelcar]

Thomas:

Interesting info...It sure would be an awesome task for a small Co. to run tourists up and down that grade safely. I sure hope the route is saved....Much hisory there.

QM in Indiana

[Anonymous]

The closing of Saluda Grade I know affected the route of some coal trains down here to SC. There was a article about it in Trains Magazine a couple of months back.

[favuprailroadfan]

What needs to be done. Is that TRAINS magazine needs to do a full blown story on Saluda, like they did in Nov. 1984 issue. I used to have to issue, but it mysteriously dissapered on me, and that upset me because it was in mint condition. I haven't seen a story on Saluda since then. Just my opinion.

Dru

[Modelcar]

Thanks Dru....Now I know what magazine to look for in my collection of past issues. I remembered of the article and wondered when it was....Now I know what box to go to.

I do remember it was an extensive and thorough article.

QM

[RudyRockvilleMD]

The reasons you haven't seen much on Saluda are there have been no physical changes and there are few trains.

I visited Saluda in May, 1995, and I was lucky since I got there a few minutes before a westbound train was climbing the grade; I photographed the train as it was passing through Saluda. I have a hunch it brought up a few cars at a time, stored the first cut of cars on a siding, and went back for more. Before the train came I went into the station, which is used as a store, and I asked one of the clerks whether he had seen any trains. He told me he had been there since 9:00AM, and he didn't notice any trains. Just then my scanner came to life, and the train came a few minutes later.