QUOTE: Originally posted by Kinnamon P.S. Kevin, you must be thinking of the Georgia Central's U-Boats. The GC operates over the old MD&S (Macon, Dublin & Savannah) from Macon to Vidalia and then over the old SAL mainline from Vidalia into Savannah. Lee
"I like my Pullman Standards & Budds in Stainless Steel flavors, thank you!"
QUOTE: Originally posted by piouslion Hi folks, I hate to break up the discussion of wide opinion and deep thought on topics economic, political, historical and quadratical. But could someone tell me what has happened or is planned to happen to the old CofG mainline between Atlanta and Macon. I've been gone to long to keep up
-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/)
QUOTE: Originally posted by Kinnamon The Vidalia depot was torn down to make room for the DOT's widening of the adjacent highway. It will be made one-way and will be parallel to the other one-way making up U.S. HWY 280 through downtown Vidalia. The community wanted this rather than a bypass. This has made it a bit more difficult for me to arrange trips to Vidalia, as we lost our water source at the old depot. The good news is that Vidalia is very supportive of the SAM SHORTLINE and is working out a new arrangement for us. Also, I'd like to praise Mr. Cecil Bowden, GM at the GC, and his crews. They are a good bunch of people to work with. I have very much enjoyed working with them in getting together our trips on that end of the line. Lee Kinnamon, Chairman Southwest Georgia Railroad Excursion Authority Chief Conductor SAM SHORTLINE Excursion Train http://www.samshortline.com
Jock Ellis Cumming, GA US of A Georgia Association of Railroad Passengers
Originally posted by JOdom Thanks to everyone for the info. It's good to see familiar place names! [/quoteIt would also be great to get some of those sweet onions around Febuary. I like you enjoy seeing the familular names of places in a remembered past. Reply Edit anb740 Member sinceSeptember 2004 From: (Milepost S256.0; NS Griffin District) 226 posts Posted by anb740 on Tuesday, November 16, 2004 3:27 PM NS's cheap, cutthroat tactics in maintenance for this line have finally come back to bite 'em square in the butt. They recently did some work on the line to get it back up to 30mph. (from its hellish 5-10mph status) The crossties they pulled up were so old that they turned into splinters! The research train came down about 2-3 weeks ago, and slammed the north end with several 10mph orders...again. The Barnesville Yard was also partially condemned until some relay ties could be put in.(you would think they could figure out something was wrong when the cars in the yard are tilting over to one side!) NS trains 389 and 379 are now permanently routed down this line, with other daily reroutes to ease congestion on the busy parallel Southern main. Nothing like seeing a modern day freight roll over jointed rails that saw steam in regular service. (keep in mind that this line was also CTC until the Southern came in w/there anti-CofG agenda and "raped" it) anb740 Joe H. (Milepost S256.0; NS Griffin District) Pictures: http://anb740.rrpicturearchives.net Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/anb740 Reply Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 16, 2004 4:03 PM ANB740, Do you live between Ideal and Rupert? [;)] Lee Reply Edit anb740 Member sinceSeptember 2004 From: (Milepost S256.0; NS Griffin District) 226 posts Posted by anb740 on Tuesday, November 16, 2004 8:41 PM QUOTE: Originally posted by Kinnamon ANB740, Do you live between Ideal and Rupert? [;)] Lee Hey, you know your mileposts! (ANB740.8; Ideal Defect Detector to be exact) I'll be living down there soon enough in preparation for upcoming conductor training/work with the wonderful CSX railroad out of Manchester. BTW, what's the speed limit on the HOG east of Cordele? I know the speed on the west end was up to 40mph at one point? Joe H. (Milepost S256.0; NS Griffin District) Pictures: http://anb740.rrpicturearchives.net Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/anb740 Reply Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, November 16, 2004 8:52 PM QUOTE: Originally posted by anb740 QUOTE: Originally posted by Kinnamon ANB740, Do you live between Ideal and Rupert? [;)] Lee I'll be living down there soon enough in preparation for upcoming conductor training/work with the wonderful CSX railroad out of Manchester. When you get to Manchester remember three things (1) the er in Manchester is pronounced as an a (as in Manchesta), (2) That Jordon is pronounced Jerdan, and (3) AB&C rules Reply Edit Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 17, 2004 7:34 AM "BTW, what's the speed limit on the HOG east of Cordele? I know the speed on the west end was up to 40mph at one point?" The HOG has Class 2 track--25 MPH freight/30 MPH for our passenger train. The jump in maintenance costs between Class 2 and Class 3 track is steep and unwarranted by the nature of the HOG's freight business. I've gotten used to 30 now, and it doesn't seem so poky to me anymore. (For those who are interested see http://www.trains.com/Content/Dynamic/Articles/000/000/003/010pwhmw.asp for a good explanation of FRA track classifications.) Lee Reply Edit Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, November 17, 2004 7:42 AM QUOTE: Originally posted by anb740 QUOTE: Originally posted by Kinnamon ANB740, Do you live between Ideal and Rupert? [;)] Lee Hey, you know your mileposts! (ANB740.8; Ideal Defect Detector to be exact) I'll be living down there soon enough in preparation for upcoming conductor training/work with the wonderful CSX railroad out of Manchester. BTW, what's the speed limit on the HOG east of Cordele? I know the speed on the west end was up to 40mph at one point? BTW, come ride with us on the SAM when you get down this way! Lee Reply Edit oltmannd Member sinceJanuary 2001 From: Atlanta 11,971 posts Posted by oltmannd on Thursday, November 18, 2004 12:36 PM QUOTE: Originally posted by jockellis The Georgia DOT is committed to doing the Lovejoy to Atlanta commuter line. Personally, I feel they are doing it with the expectation that if if fails they can say, "We told you so!" but I also feel they are out of tough with reality. A bunch of Atlantan are foreigners, that is they come from places up north and abroad which have had commuter rail for ages. They would use it and will do so far more than the 1,800 expected riders, especially if they make it user friendly with coffee and breakfasts available so that people will be able to completely change their mornings. It also has to go out far enough so that people don't feel that their journey is almost over by the time they get to the rail station as it is on the northside where the MARTA north line extends only a mile or so outside the perimeter highway, I-285, and does not really invite commuters from more northerly counties unless they cannot get paid parking spaces at their companies. It seems as if the GDOT only listens to sarcastic writers of Vents in the Atlanta Journal Constitution which lambast MARTA. But the foreigners I talked with when I rode it daily told me that it was on a par (2001) with systems in their own countries or cities. It all goes back to that adage that a prophet has no honor in his own land. Neither does a commuter carrier. Jock Ellis As one of those "foreigners" - I agree totally with what you say, only adding that MARTA is bit slow - slow to open and close doors at stations, slow into and out of curves, slow track speed - compared to systems elsewhere. Also, lack of graduated fare system is having a bad effect on the rail system's budget these days. These things are fixable should MARTA ever care to do anything about it. Concerning commuter rail, there is a commitment to build a whole network of commuter rail lines, and they whole thing has been studied to death for the past 15 years or so, all showing that the commuter rail network is better than all other alternatives. Still, each year, when the legislature has an opportunity to start funding the actual work/procurement, nothing comes of it. Even when there is an oppurtunity to buy used gallery cars from Chicago for $1 each, they can't get any money from the state! I suspect there is worry from the rural half of the state that the commuter rail operating subsidies would steal money from their subsidized state highway network. -Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/) Reply Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, November 18, 2004 2:15 PM QUOTE: Originally posted by oltmannd QUOTE: Originally posted by jockellis The Georgia DOT is committed to doing the Lovejoy to Atlanta commuter line. Personally, I feel they are doing it with the expectation that if if fails they can say, "We told you so!" but I also feel they are out of tough with reality. A bunch of Atlantan are foreigners, that is they come from places up north and abroad which have had commuter rail for ages. They would use it and will do so far more than the 1,800 expected riders, especially if they make it user friendly with coffee and breakfasts available so that people will be able to completely change their mornings. It also has to go out far enough so that people don't feel that their journey is almost over by the time they get to the rail station as it is on the northside where the MARTA north line extends only a mile or so outside the perimeter highway, I-285, and does not really invite commuters from more northerly counties unless they cannot get paid parking spaces at their companies. It seems as if the GDOT only listens to sarcastic writers of Vents in the Atlanta Journal Constitution which lambast MARTA. But the foreigners I talked with when I rode it daily told me that it was on a par (2001) with systems in their own countries or cities. It all goes back to that adage that a prophet has no honor in his own land. Neither does a commuter carrier. Jock Ellis As one of those "foreigners" - I agree totally with what you say, only adding that MARTA is bit slow - slow to open and close doors at stations, slow into and out of curves, slow track speed - compared to systems elsewhere. Also, lack of graduated fare system is having a bad effect on the rail system's budget these days. These things are fixable should MARTA ever care to do anything about it. Concerning commuter rail, there is a commitment to build a whole network of commuter rail lines, and they whole thing has been studied to death for the past 15 years or so, all showing that the commuter rail network is better than all other alternatives. Still, each year, when the legislature has an opportunity to start funding the actual work/procurement, nothing comes of it. Even when there is an oppurtunity to buy used gallery cars from Chicago for $1 each, they can't get any money from the state! I suspect there is worry from the rural half of the state that the commuter rail operating subsidies would steal money from their subsidized state highway network. More than a few persons in that state have reason to prefer commuter rail. The rural portion of that state is not realy the sorse of pushback to the idea due to the fact that the agricultural interests are more and more a group of very large agri-business with names like Carghill, Gerogia-Pacific and EDM. The small towns and cities outside the city of Atlanta have long feared further closer connection to the capital of Georgia with its higher wages, standards of living and social openess that are inconsistant with their view of the world. I speak as an economic and in some ways a social refugee of that state was forsed to seek a living away from home as have a few others that are aquainted to each other with in this forum. Georgia and roads is a long used political plank for getting elected by almost any one in politics. It is a shame that the energy needed to keep the asphalt lobby happy cannot be employed to entertain a new idea in the area of transporation. The trouble of all this is that even the most avid asphalter will also admit in those quiet times when reason prevails, that commuter rail would serve the greater good of the state and region. This also would in the long run preserve many of the small towns and places, allowing people to work a goodly distance from work but live in the quietness of their home towns. This new approach would also serve to attract businesses and industries to base or expand in those small good places. As I close I have just three things to add before I go to one of my employers conferences. GO DOGS, MAY TECH LOOSE TO US AND GOOD LUCK TO AUBURN IN THIER PERSUIT OF THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP [2c] Reply Edit Dough Member sinceMarch 2002 From: Athens, GA 549 posts Posted by Dough on Thursday, November 18, 2004 6:13 PM Wow, its cool to see all of these GA residents on here. You guys need to come up to NE GA and check out all of the fallen flags still trudging around up here. Also nice to see the Dawg fans as well.[:D] BTW, the only thing I'll add is that I believe that you ment to type ADM (Archer Daniels Midland). You should see Gainesville btw. They have a huge Cargill vegetable oil plant that gets hundereds of loads of soybeans as well as tanks carring the oil out. They also started using rail to get the coal for heating. Some come in and out on Cargill cars, others ADM, and then many other names as well. Near by are at least three grain elevators for the chicken farms, and most are owned by big companies. Their are many more up and down the tracks from Gainesville. Oh, and did you guys all see the recent article in the AJC about the proposed Belt Line? Reply Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, November 18, 2004 10:48 PM What is the word on the Gainsville Midline? Is it going anywhere or just going to continue its one train each way for the forseeable future Reply Edit Dough Member sinceMarch 2002 From: Athens, GA 549 posts Posted by Dough on Thursday, November 18, 2004 11:15 PM I'm not really sure. It seems to be doing very well, however. They have five six axle engines on it. I'll try to post some pictures of the variety of power that they use. Last weekend they had five SD70 and Dash 8/9's. A lot of that has to do with the extreme grades, but they do move a lot of freight as well. There is a siding just outside of Athens that they park them on every Sunday, and it is a great place to view the weeks power. I believe that there are two trains a day on some days One early morning and the other in the afternoon/evening. They move a bunch of soybeans in and vegetable oil out of Gainesville that is destined for CSX. They take it over to the CSX line in Athens. They also deal with the empties. There is a pretty good sized chicken feed mill on the line in Gainesville. They move in a good amount of corn to it. (Funny story: Last summer one of their hopper doors came open and the tracks looked like a golden railroad. A few weeks later their was a 10 mile long, but very narrow and short row of corn stalks...) There is a Thomas concrete plant that gets a good number of covered hoppers bringing in cement. There is also a sizable plastics industry. I see a fair amount of covered hoppers with pelitized plastic headed to these. This has been expanding in the past few years I have seen a number of reefers, but I don't know where these go to yet. It is usually about five at a time. Finally they bring in a few loads of lumber. Some goes to a local builders supply that just built a brand new spur and unloading ramp. The rest is transfered to trucks near downtown at the end of the line. The track quality has improved measurably, however, CSX in this area still has no comparison to the quality of the NS I have pictures of most of these cars and some of the industries. Give me some time, and maybe a few reminders and I'll try to post them if you are intersted. I hope this anwsers your question. Reply daveklepper Member sinceJune 2002 20,096 posts Posted by daveklepper on Friday, November 19, 2004 2:03 AM Very informative and interesting Reply Anonymous Member sinceApril 2003 305,205 posts Posted by Anonymous on Friday, November 19, 2004 7:16 PM Thanks Dough: I have often wondered about that road. My grandmother's house used to be in Oconee Heights just out side of Athens on the Old Jefferson Rd. The house is gone now as is Grandma and most of the family. The news was welcome to know that some things do stay around. thanks again - roy Reply Edit Join our Community! Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account. Login » Register » Search the Community Newsletter Sign-Up By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy More great sites from Kalmbach Media Terms Of Use | Privacy Policy | Copyright Policy
Joe H. (Milepost S256.0; NS Griffin District)
Pictures: http://anb740.rrpicturearchives.net
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/anb740
QUOTE: Originally posted by Kinnamon ANB740, Do you live between Ideal and Rupert? [;)] Lee
QUOTE: Originally posted by anb740 QUOTE: Originally posted by Kinnamon ANB740, Do you live between Ideal and Rupert? [;)] Lee I'll be living down there soon enough in preparation for upcoming conductor training/work with the wonderful CSX railroad out of Manchester.
QUOTE: Originally posted by anb740 QUOTE: Originally posted by Kinnamon ANB740, Do you live between Ideal and Rupert? [;)] Lee Hey, you know your mileposts! (ANB740.8; Ideal Defect Detector to be exact) I'll be living down there soon enough in preparation for upcoming conductor training/work with the wonderful CSX railroad out of Manchester. BTW, what's the speed limit on the HOG east of Cordele? I know the speed on the west end was up to 40mph at one point?
QUOTE: Originally posted by jockellis The Georgia DOT is committed to doing the Lovejoy to Atlanta commuter line. Personally, I feel they are doing it with the expectation that if if fails they can say, "We told you so!" but I also feel they are out of tough with reality. A bunch of Atlantan are foreigners, that is they come from places up north and abroad which have had commuter rail for ages. They would use it and will do so far more than the 1,800 expected riders, especially if they make it user friendly with coffee and breakfasts available so that people will be able to completely change their mornings. It also has to go out far enough so that people don't feel that their journey is almost over by the time they get to the rail station as it is on the northside where the MARTA north line extends only a mile or so outside the perimeter highway, I-285, and does not really invite commuters from more northerly counties unless they cannot get paid parking spaces at their companies. It seems as if the GDOT only listens to sarcastic writers of Vents in the Atlanta Journal Constitution which lambast MARTA. But the foreigners I talked with when I rode it daily told me that it was on a par (2001) with systems in their own countries or cities. It all goes back to that adage that a prophet has no honor in his own land. Neither does a commuter carrier. Jock Ellis
QUOTE: Originally posted by oltmannd QUOTE: Originally posted by jockellis The Georgia DOT is committed to doing the Lovejoy to Atlanta commuter line. Personally, I feel they are doing it with the expectation that if if fails they can say, "We told you so!" but I also feel they are out of tough with reality. A bunch of Atlantan are foreigners, that is they come from places up north and abroad which have had commuter rail for ages. They would use it and will do so far more than the 1,800 expected riders, especially if they make it user friendly with coffee and breakfasts available so that people will be able to completely change their mornings. It also has to go out far enough so that people don't feel that their journey is almost over by the time they get to the rail station as it is on the northside where the MARTA north line extends only a mile or so outside the perimeter highway, I-285, and does not really invite commuters from more northerly counties unless they cannot get paid parking spaces at their companies. It seems as if the GDOT only listens to sarcastic writers of Vents in the Atlanta Journal Constitution which lambast MARTA. But the foreigners I talked with when I rode it daily told me that it was on a par (2001) with systems in their own countries or cities. It all goes back to that adage that a prophet has no honor in his own land. Neither does a commuter carrier. Jock Ellis As one of those "foreigners" - I agree totally with what you say, only adding that MARTA is bit slow - slow to open and close doors at stations, slow into and out of curves, slow track speed - compared to systems elsewhere. Also, lack of graduated fare system is having a bad effect on the rail system's budget these days. These things are fixable should MARTA ever care to do anything about it. Concerning commuter rail, there is a commitment to build a whole network of commuter rail lines, and they whole thing has been studied to death for the past 15 years or so, all showing that the commuter rail network is better than all other alternatives. Still, each year, when the legislature has an opportunity to start funding the actual work/procurement, nothing comes of it. Even when there is an oppurtunity to buy used gallery cars from Chicago for $1 each, they can't get any money from the state! I suspect there is worry from the rural half of the state that the commuter rail operating subsidies would steal money from their subsidized state highway network.
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