Piedmont Chase

NS transfer job P26 grinds upgrade at CP Birmont in Atlanta, this will be a great spot to see and hear 4501 working up the grade to Howell.

One of the staples of the original Southern and later NS steam program was the annual Autumn leaf specials on the Piedmont mainline between Atlanta and Toccoa. These trips were host to nearly every engine used by the Southern steam program from the 4501 in its first career to exotic and short lived participants such as the C&O 2716 and T&P 610 so it’s only fitting that these trips are making a comeback in this year’s lineup. 

NS 153 passes the statue of Trigger the horse in front of the old Bona Allen Tannery in downtown Buford, GA.

The trips will operate from Atlanta to Toccoa, GA, on October 2 and 3, departing Atlanta at 8AM and returning at 5PM, allowing for good light in both directions. While I-85 and I-985/US 23 will allow for easy chasing, it is still important to pick photo locations in advance as the interstate is often several minutes from the track and local roads can be congested, especially closer to Atlanta. The Piedmont is CTC signaled territory and the train will call signals on AAR 42 (160.740) in the Atlanta terminal and on AAR 56 (160.950) on the Piedmont, defect detectors are located every 8 to 10 miles. The trips will depart from the old Southern Spring St. offices in Atlanta off the Georgia Division Griffin district; good shots will be possible of the train departing the former terminal station site and on the return trip passing the old Terminal Station interlocking tower from the Nelson St. pedestrian bridge.

NS 153 rolls downgrade through Cornelia, GA with an eclectic consist, the classic Southern cantilever unfortunately fell not long after this April 2014 picture.

After departing, the train will traverse the parallel CSX/NS trackage through downtown Atlanta before swinging onto the Piedmont Division at Howell wye. Between Atlanta and Doraville, GA, the line is paralleled by the MARTA rapid transit line and as such access is very limited. Chamblee, GA (MP 624) is the first good access point and will be a good place to hear the locomotive work upgrade into town. Buford, GA (MP 600) provides some of the best angles on the south end of the Greenville District with the tracks making several sweeping curves through town.

The NS office car special races north through Lula, GA under the vintage wooden overpass with the small downtown in the background.

In Gainesville, GA (MP 585) numerous photo opportunities exist including a still in use Southern depot, a regular stop for the Amtrak Crescent. Further up the line in Lula, GA (MP 571) the track passes under a vintage wooden overpass which makes for a great photo prop along with the downtown buildings in the background. Between Lula and Cornelia Old Cornelia Highway follows the track but one will have to pick one spot in this segment as chasing will be near impossible on the 2 lane road with the inevitable pacer crowd, it is advisable to get one shot on this segment and then make your way to Highway 23  to continue chasing.

NS P90 with an impressive 7 unit consist heads north across the Wells Viaduct as viewed from the Trestle Falls overlook.

Good photo locations exist further north in Alto, but I would recommend at this point to skip ahead to the scenic highlight of the line, the famed Wells Viaduct (MP 551). The double track viaduct was completed in 1919 and is over 200 ft tall, the highest on the Southern mainline. The best place to view the Viaduct is the Trestle Falls overlook where one can photograph trains over the entire length of the structure, the location is in a residential neighborhood so please be mindful and arrive early as parking is limited. 

In Toccoa the train will turn on the wye which connects to the Hartwell Railroad which operates a former Southern Branch to Elberton, GA. If one is lucky you may find some Hartwell power tied down in town, alternatively the two hour layover will be sufficient to make the trip to the Hartwell’s headquarters in Lavonia to photograph the railroads eclectic locomotive fleet which all still wears the colors of their former owners including DRGW, CNW and EJE.

Southern 630 passes the out of service Terminal Station interlocking tower at the conclusion of a weekend of employee trips out of Atlanta in 2012, it will be possible to recreate this shot on the return trip. The train will board at the one remaining platform seen at the right edge of the photo.

For the return trip the best location by far will be the Toccoa Viaduct as the train will be working the stiff grade out of town, for those who are willing to hike a steep trail provides access to the south end of the bridge and the classic location seen in many shots from the original NS steam program. South of Toccoa the town of Cornelia (MP 559) will be an excellent location to photograph the southbound trip, though the classic Southern cantilever that was so prominent at this spot is now gone the depot and station sign still make for good props. The light will be perfect for the southbound trip so any of the locations listed earlier will work well on the southbound trip as well, with a 14:30 departure from Toccoa it should be possible to photograph the train in daylight all the way to Atlanta.