Reported in this week's NARP newsletter and confirmed (but not explained) on the NCDOT website -
The FRA slapped a 10mph speed limit on the CSX 'S' line north of Hamlet, NC to Cary, NC due to deteriorating track conditions discovered in an inspection on May 30.
The Silver Star is detouring between Hamlet and Rocky Mount via Pembroke and Fayetteville, NC. Buses are substituting for the train into Southern Pines, Cary, and Raleigh.
Additional detours or annulments are possible in coming days as the FRA is set to inspect CSX lines south from Hamlet next.
Posted by Passenger Rail Fan (Member # 4899) on :
We are scheduled to be traveling on the Silver Meteor July 8 from D.C. to Savannah and return July 14. How does this change affect those plans? Thanks.
Posted by notelvis (Member # 3071) on :
quote:Originally posted by Passenger Rail Fan: We are scheduled to be traveling on the Silver Meteor July 8 from D.C. to Savannah and return July 14. How does this change affect those plans? Thanks.
Hi PRF,
Shouldn't affect you at all other than the normal CSX freight congestion being likely to delay your train.
The Silver Meteor travels on the 'A' line or former Atlantic Coast Line route through Charleston, Florence, and Fayetteville. This is CSX's main line and maintained better than most other CSX routes.
Between Savannah and Raleigh the Silver Star travels on the 'S' line (former Seaboard Railraod) through Columbia and Hamlet. The 'S' line is about 30-40 miles closer inland and, at least north of Hamlet, hosts only the Silver Star and a pair of local freights. The 'S' line would also be used sometimes as a detour route when the 'A' line was threatened by a hurricane though CSX mostly just shuts down altogether at the slightest threat now.
Things may be back to normal by July or the Silver Star may wind-up with some longer-term detour that doesn't involve a short back-up move in Hamlet. The Carolinas Association for Passenger Trains is reporting that the FRA inspection last week turned up more than 600 'exceptions' in the roughly 90 miles between Cary and Hamlet.
One other note - The only Amtrak train this affects is the Silver Star. All other passenger trains operating in the Carolinas do not operate over the area where these problems have turned up.
Posted by palmland (Member # 4344) on :
Sigh, so much for the Star operating through Camden. Since the through route was cut north of Raleigh, Raleigh to Hamlet has only operated a couple locals. Supposed to be revived with the Southeast High Speed Rail initiative. We're still waiting.
We'll see what happens south of Hamlet. I remember before retiring - 2004 - the Division Engineer told me he had authorization to reduce the speed limit to 60 from 70mph since so little freight handled south of Hamlet to Columbia (one through freight, one local and a very occasional coal or grain train). I suspect it has gone down hill from there as there certainly hasn't been a track maintenance program since around 2000 when the track from Columbia to about 15 miles north of the city received new ties.
This line was really built for Seaboard's growing passenger business in the early 1900's as well as the agricultural activity from the small towns. Until the SCL merger, most freights operated via SAL line from Hamlet to Charleston to Savannah (latter portion now abandoned).It had far less curves and grades that are encounted in the sand hills around here. Now of course they use the A line.
From Columbia to Savannah only one local freight but fair number of coal trains headed to Florida off the Clinchfield coal route. As far as I know it's still 79mph. I suspect that should still be in decent shape, of if not it will quicly get fixed.
At one time Amtrak considered routing the Star via Charlotte then NS to Columbia and continue south on CSX from there. Maybe not a bad idea.
Posted by SilverStar092 (Member # 2652) on :
The Silver Star route was always my favorite as the old SAL was a pleasant line to ride. There was nothing nicer than waking up northbound to find the train rolling through the fog in the NC farmlands. That was back when the train left Florida later in the day (usually 1:40pm)which was so convenient in Miami rather than the early Amtrak departure time. On one trip we even passed through Columbia at dawn. Now the old SAL is almost dead. A friend rode on June 4 and they went via the ex-ACL north of Savannah...no Hamlet-Pembroke detour. This means the Star only rides ex-SAL rails between Miami (Hialeah) and Auburndale and sometimes between Richmond Hill and Savannah. This is pathetic. CSX has ruined the railroads down south.
Posted by George Harris (Member # 2077) on :
quote:Originally posted by palmland: At one time Amtrak considered routing the Star via Charlotte then NS to Columbia and continue south on CSX from there. Maybe not a bad idea.
To do this would add about 2 to 3 hours to the schedule. Normal Star schedule: something like 4.5 hours between Raleigh and Columbia Normal Carolinian schedule: something like 3.3 hours Raleigh to Columbia. Southern's Augusta Special took 3 hours between Charlotte and Columbia, so say 6.5 hours Raleigh to Columbia via Charlotte. So, 2 hours longer.
Now, if we run the ex-Southern line all the way from Alexandria, the picture changes a bit.
Washington to Charlotte - Crescent 8 hours Washington to Charlotte - Carolinian 9.5 hours
So, Washington - Lynchburg - Charlotte - Columbia about 11 hours, very close to the Star schedule of 10.5 hours, instead of 12.5 via Raleigh and Charlotte.
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