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Have there been any recent developments in the proposed new rail line linking the Nashville & Eastern to Knoxville, Tennessee? Last I heard, there was a "feasability study" starting, but I have heard nothing since, and that's been a while. Actually, the whole concept seems a too good to be true - proposing a new construction, while tracks still exist over all but about 25 miles (Monterey to Crab Orchard) of the route (and the right-of-way is largely intact there). Any information would be appreciated.
Posts: 72 | From: Tennessee | Registered: Feb 2001
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I beleive Nashville & Eastern wants to build the all-new Monterey-Wartburg line so they can connect with CSX to Knoxville. If the original Tennessee Central grade was rebuilt the connection would be with Norfolk Southern at Emory Gap (near Harriman), on the NS Cincinatti-Chattanooga main. Yes, trackage rights here might be harder to secure.
However, what little business that's to be had lies along the old rail line. The few media articles I've seen on this subject have all indicated tracks don't exist east of Monterey, conveniently forgetting the Harriman-Crab Orchard segment still in service (now operated by Franklin Minerals).
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The article link below appeared in this mornings Knoxville News-Sentinel. A report on the proposed rail line was released yesterday, pegging the cost of restoring service at between $305 and $732 million. Three route options are discussed - two of them appear to largely restore the original Tennessee Central right-of-way (connection at Harriman). http://www.knoxvillenews-sentinel.com/kns/state/article/0,1406,KNS_348_808266,00.html
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This is interesting, but is it realistic? These estimates always are optimistic. Would there be any loud objections from people who live along the right-of-way (and assumed the trains were gone forever)?
I followed some of this route from west of Knoxville to around Cookeville in '97. There were still several highway signs that showed T-junctions with rail crossings, even though the tracks were long gone.
Posts: 874 | From: South Bay (LA County), Calif, USA | Registered: Aug 2000
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