Branch Line in Beaufort, SC

[GP-9_Man11786]

When studying the map of Beaufort County, SC to scout out potential railfaning sites, I noticed a branch line spliting off from the CSX main and running into the City of Beaufort. The Island Packet, the local nespaper recently mentioned an abondoned  branch line to Port Royal. Is this the same line I saw on the map or is the line into Beaufort still active?

[nanaimo73]

When studying the map of Beaufort County, SC to scout out potential railfaning sites, I noticed a branch line spliting off from the CSX main and running into the City of Beaufort. The Island Packet, the local nespaper recently mentioned an abondoned  branch line to Port Royal. Is this the same line I saw on the map or is the line into Beaufort still active?

The Port Royal Railroad took over that line in 1985, and it was covered in the November 1988 Trains magazine.

The railroad shut down and the Port itself is apparently for sale. The City does not want the railroad or the port.

This was on the Shortline Yahoo Group-

The line closed down with SW1001 PRYL 1001 as sole power. It was
transferred to Charleston, where it is now the locomotive assigned to
SC Public Railways' operation in the former Charleston Naval Shipyard.
Seldom sees work, but that could change as SC Ports Authority plans to
break ground on a near 300 acre container port in the complex this year.

Here is a shot of 1001 on the Port Royal RR about a year before it
ceased operations:

http://www.shortlinesusa.com/Pryl101_copy.jpg

[samfp1943]

When studying the map of Beaufort County, SC to scout out potential railfaning sites, I noticed a branch line spliting off from the CSX main and running into the City of Beaufort. The Island Packet, the local nespaper recently mentioned an abondoned  branch line to Port Royal. Is this the same line I saw on the map or is the line into Beaufort still active?

  Last Spring, we made a trip down the area you are mentioning. Parris Is and Beaufort were areas I wanted to visit. Many years ago, I rode the train into Yemessee, S.C., and went to Parris Island  for Boot Camp. Beaufort is also the site of the Marine Corps Air Station and a Naval Hospital, the branchline you mentioned paralles the highway into Beaufort, and I think at one point it serviced the Air Station. It appeared to be dormant last Spring.

    If you get to Charleston, the City Visitor's Center in the Downtown is pretty close to the building where the replica of the Best Friend of Charleston is kept. We were told they were preparing a new display for it, and at the time we were only able to catch a quick glimpse of it. This is the engine and car that has been occcasionally campaigned about the country by, Southern Rwy. 

    There is lots of RR activity in both Charleston and Savanah, Ga. primarily CSX.   You'll have to get someone local who can fill you in about places to watch trains in both cities.