They have done work on a couple of crossings south of the power plant in recent years, Old cane creek road is Fletcher and downtown Hendersonville come to mind.
JohnJ Why would the W line south of the power plant need maintenance? It sees regular traffic, one train every day.
Why would the W line south of the power plant need maintenance? It sees regular traffic, one train every day.
To my knowledge, NS has not conducted any roadbed maintenance through there. Those ties are in just as bad of condition as the others that have been replaced on other sections of the W-Line.
What I'm not sure about is why NS did this work all the way to Landrum. Someone stated that Capps' Brothers stopped shipping wood chips by rail a few years ago. If that is the case, then the last stop for a local would be 10+ miles south in Inman. As you can see in this screenshot from Google Street View acquired in May 2012, they went all the way to the cut in Landrum (visible on the left). All of the grade crossings between Landrum and Hayne Yard have been upgraded with rubber flangeway filler and fresh asphalt, in addition to the tie replacement and fresh ballast.
The same type of work was conducted at the same time north of the power plant in Arden. Old ties are stacked on the right.
South of the power plant, nothing was done (aside from the old wooden flangeway being replaced with asphalt well before this imagery was acquired).
So, if the W-Line is being reopened, you would think NS would have done this work all the way to the cut in Zirconia. And why would they not do the maintenance for the local that still runs south of the power plant, yet do the maintenance on a ten mile section of track that sees zero trains?
eagle1030 *Norfolk *exercise I don't know whether to laugh or cry considering this is from a school.
*Norfolk
*exercise
I don't know whether to laugh or cry considering this is from a school.
Both!
dubch87 Well, I finally found something "published" about the speed increase on the website of Chapman High School in Inman. !WARNING! Train Speed Increase Published: Thursday, March 14, 2013 Northfork Southern Railroad informed District One Schools today that the railroad line coming out of Spartanburg through Inman, Campobello and up to Landrum will have a speed limit increase. The Federal Government has allowed Northfork Southern to increase the speed limit through the train crossings in District One from 10 mph to 50 mph. Please excercise extreme caution when approaching railroad crossings.
Well, I finally found something "published" about the speed increase on the website of Chapman High School in Inman.
Northfork Southern Railroad informed District One Schools today that the railroad line coming out of Spartanburg through Inman, Campobello and up to Landrum will have a speed limit increase. The Federal Government has allowed Northfork Southern to increase the speed limit through the train crossings in District One from 10 mph to 50 mph.
Please excercise extreme caution when approaching railroad crossings.
Deggesty Where is this Northfork that has a railroad running south from it? Oh, well, what can you expect from the products of the current school system?
Where is this Northfork that has a railroad running south from it?
Oh, well, what can you expect from the products of the current school system?
I was wondering the same.
The mentioning of the federal government approval in that release also has me wondering. Does Norfolk Southern require FRA approval for this train speed increase? If so, do they have to provide to the FRA why the speed increase is needed? As everyone has stated, no one can figure out the need for 50 mph on what is essentially a spur line.
Johnny
Thanks, I was just curious.
JohnJ "...Well the bridge needs work, thats for sure, but its nothing that cant be fixed. Also, what exactly does the geometry train do anyway?.."
"...Well the bridge needs work, thats for sure, but its nothing that cant be fixed. Also, what exactly does the geometry train do anyway?.."
Briefly:JohnJ:
Not to change the course of this Topic and Thread. Only to answer your question posed in it ( and since the presence of the NS Track Geometry Car/Train has been covered here.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Track_geometry Admittedly, This Wikipedia Link seems to be a rational explanation for what comprises Track Geometry and why it is studied:
[FtL:]Track geometry is three-dimensional geometry of track layouts and associated measurements used in design, construction and maintenance of railroad tracks. The subject is used in the context of standard, speed limits and other regulations in the areas of track gauge, alignment, elevation, curvature and track surface.[1] Although, the geometry of the tracks is three-dimensional by nature, the standards are usually expressed in two separate layouts for horizontal and vertical.
If anyone wants to discuss this topic -Track Geometry-further maybe they can start a seperate Thread on this topic, leaving the Saluda Grade for its own discussion and information?
Has anyone heard anything else about the speeds increasing? What exactly is the purpose of this, since the trains only go a short distance beyond. I suppose they could just be highballing locals for fun, but i seriously doubt that.
Yes iv seen the pictures, he is very lucky.
.....Pictures of the truck on the track at the washout....Yes.
But they do not belong to me...I do have them in "my pictures" here on the computer, but I don't think I should show them since they are not mine...
Perhaps the photographer will see your question, and may comment. They are very good clear, explicit photos of what the alleged inebrated driver got into...He's lucky he is alive.....
Quentin
My Dad lives in Campobello (has for about 20 years) and is currently in hospital in Columbus, NC. I have been making trips every other weekend to stay at his house and visit him in the hospital since the end of January. Columbus, NC is a couple of miles from Tryon where it all starts.
So far there has been no sign of any activity that I can see from Campobello to Saluda. The tracks are still disconnected and blocked with a big mound of dirt in Landrum. All the street crossings have covers on their lights and the wooden crossbars have been removed at all the crossings.The ties are in atrocious state and many (lots) of them will need to replaced before trains run again.
Two weeks ago I went to Melrose and saw no sign of activity. Today I went to Melrose and walked down grade to the point where the double tracks become a single line , and then walked about another mile hoping to find the washout. The propane tanks down there have not been touched (I have pics if anyone wants to see). What I did see is that trees that have fallen across the tracks have been cut and removed. The safety track at Melrose has not been touched and is completely overgrown. The mainline itself is completely free of overgrowth so they must still be spraying herbicides (or they used agent orange many years ago /sarc).
Then I drove up to Saluda via Pearson's Falls Rd and stopped jut below the peak of the grade and walked down the track to the point where the double track becomes single. I did not see any survey markers that someone else mentioned. There was a new pine tree down that had cut and removed from the tracks. It was recent because the needles were still green.
The Physical Trainer lady working with my dad lives in Tryon. She says the rumors in town are that the line is going to re-open. She also says she has pics of a truck some drunk drove down the track to the washout and almost killed himself. Anyone else seen them?
Well the bridge needs work, thats for sure, but its nothing that cant be fixed. Also, what exactly does the geometry train do anyway?
JohnJ I have a question: If the speculation is true and the grade is eventually opened back up, the bridge over Tuxedo Lake, it is old. It has not seen a train in over a decade and probably hasnt received any major maintenance in that time either. I havent seen the bridge in 15 years or so, so i cannot comment on it's current condition, but can anyone who has been to the bridge recently comment on its condition?
I have a question: If the speculation is true and the grade is eventually opened back up, the bridge over Tuxedo Lake, it is old. It has not seen a train in over a decade and probably hasnt received any major maintenance in that time either. I havent seen the bridge in 15 years or so, so i cannot comment on it's current condition, but can anyone who has been to the bridge recently comment on its condition?
I definately understand that you are doubtful about the line reopening. I an too, but it just seems like there has been a lot work done on both sides of the line for the amount of traffic they see...
rocket2go I was the one that was there, in person, talking to the NS folks and posted the blog. NS police SUV with blue lights flashing and other safety personnel were on both sides of the crossing. At first I thought it was a license check. The flyer was actually the standard tri fold Operation Life Saver pamphlet titled Key Safety Tips at Highway - Rail Grade Crossings. The men were direct in their instructions about the increase in train speeds at that crossing and were warning motorists of this fact. That was it. Whether they continue these instructions at grade crossings west of there and all the way to Landrum remains to be seen. From what I heard, it appears the increased speeds are immanent. One speculation I have is that work trains may be on the way soon to Landrum and beyond. Of course, I'll believe it when I see it or NS issues an official statement.
I was the one that was there, in person, talking to the NS folks and posted the blog. NS police SUV with blue lights flashing and other safety personnel were on both sides of the crossing. At first I thought it was a license check. The flyer was actually the standard tri fold Operation Life Saver pamphlet titled Key Safety Tips at Highway - Rail Grade Crossings. The men were direct in their instructions about the increase in train speeds at that crossing and were warning motorists of this fact. That was it. Whether they continue these instructions at grade crossings west of there and all the way to Landrum remains to be seen. From what I heard, it appears the increased speeds are immanent. One speculation I have is that work trains may be on the way soon to Landrum and beyond. Of course, I'll believe it when I see it or NS issues an official statement.
I don't want anyone to think I'm accusing them of lying. With all the rumors that have been going around over the past eleven years, you have to understand my pessimism and doubt about the line reopening.
Keep us posted!
Scum Mudd I drove down toward Inman this morning to see if anything was going on. Didn't see anything. But I have no reason to believe what was reported was not true. My son talked to a NS worker who came into his car shop a few days ago. He talked up the Saluda Grade to him, probing for info, because his dad is a train nerd. His statement was while closed to rail traffic, the line has never, in his opinion, been closed. He says workers are on it all the time. I know there is lots to do to get it running full bore again. But I believe it's going to happen.
I drove down toward Inman this morning to see if anything was going on. Didn't see anything. But I have no reason to believe what was reported was not true.
My son talked to a NS worker who came into his car shop a few days ago. He talked up the Saluda Grade to him, probing for info, because his dad is a train nerd. His statement was while closed to rail traffic, the line has never, in his opinion, been closed. He says workers are on it all the time. I know there is lots to do to get it running full bore again. But I believe it's going to happen.
Curiouser! & Curiouser!
Sure seems like Saluda Grade, and The W Line are still on the Rail Banked Radar Screen at NS's HQ.....
Will be very interesting to continue to follow and see what happens....
I went by the crossing right as the NS Police were finishing packing up around 12:15pm. I asked what was going on, and he told me they were increasing the speed on the line (up to 50mph). I didn't get to ask whether they were opening the line back up to Asheville or think to get a flyer. They were in their unmarked vehicles (with blue lights) leaving. After, I went to Campobello before going home and saw a NS highrailer working on the tracks in.
Seriously? Flyers for 50 mph? No press releases or news media?
Not believing this for a second until I see pictures of this happening and a copy of the flyer.
And here I am getting ready to move to Hendersonville, This could be good!
I also saw this. On a Facebook Group I am a part of. Here is the quote: " NS officials were handing safety leaflets at grade crossings in Inman, SC today, stating that train speeds will soon be increasing to 50 mph on the W line. When asked why they said the rumor was that Saluda is going to be reopened." AND " I didn't get a flier. A good friend of mine who manages the Hub City RR museum stopped and talked to the NS police who were at the crossing. He introduced himself, asked the NS police what was going on and why the train speeds were increasing "up to 50 mph" when there are only a few small customers up the line. The NS official said that he was only told to come hand out the fliers but that the rumor that he had heard was that NS was going to reopen the line."
I don't know what this means, and Ill still believe it when i see it, but its positive news none the less.
I'll do my best to keep everyone on here posted.
Here is a quote by another forum member about what was seen today in Inman, SC, track East of the cut rails at Landrum:
"Late this morning I was at the W line railroad crossing at the asphalt plant about 2 miles east of Inman, S.C. There were NS security police and safety personnel stopping cars at the railroad crossing. They were handing out safety brochures warning motorist that train speeds would soon be increasing up to 50mph at the crossing. The safety guys said the rumor was the line is fixing to be re-opened to Asheville but they had not received any official word from NS. Of course, there is no reason for trains to speed through that crossing at 50mph since nothing is being switched at Inman except a small siding west of town, and then nothing west of there (Mascot, S.C) to Landrum, S.C. (Capps Lumber at Landrum quit shipping wood chips by rail about a year ago). 50mph is fast for any freight train in this region. Of course, as always, I'll believe the line is re-opened when I see it! However, it does raise the level of speculation up a notch! "
It sounds like NS is up to something, but like he says, until we see real evidence, we'll just have to wait and hope for the best....
3 trains a week if business is good. During the summer traffic is a little less due to the propane facility not receiving tank cars.
How much traffic does that T line get past Canton anyway?
Will do, this may just be routine, or not. I'll definately keep an eye out. I also saw the research train coming through arden (south of the power plant) about 3 or 4 months ago. It just seems odd that the research train would be on that line twice in 4 months since the line only sees one train daily.
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