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I'll be mapping this new service soon. In looking at Google Earth, the only way I can see for the train to get onto the NS line from PTB to NFK is by traveling south from the PTB station to Collier Yard, then making a backup move to the line (I don't know what Division that would be -- sorry) thru Waverly, Wakefield, & Suffolk to get to NFK. Is this in fact the route which is used? Going S from PTB, the CSX line first crosses the NS line on a high RR trestle, so trains would HAVE to go further south and down grade to back onto that line, right?
A physical interchange had been built to handle "The Hilltopper" during 1977 that provided for moves from Southbound SAL/CSX to Westbound N&W/NS and v.v. To accommodate the new service, as the photo caption suggests, a new physical interchange has now been built to handle SB CSX to Eastbound NS and v.v.
RRRICH Member # 1418
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This is basically the same interchange I was thinking of, but I suppose they could have built a new interchange in the NE quadrant of this intersection, and use that, rather than the older connection in the SW quadrant. The 10/21/12 Google Earth image does not show an interchange in the NE quadrant, and I see no signs of such interchange even being under construction there at that time, yet the new service began in December.
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Rich, the new interchange was built remarkably fast with good cooperation between the state and NS/CSX. It is in fact in the northeast quadrant just north of Collier yard. When I went through on the Palmetto in October NS was well along on the approach from their mainline but CSX had not yet done any work on the remaining 100 yards or so. That has obviously been completed and I saw it yesterday, again from the Palmetto. I'm sure you'll see it when Google updates their maps.
The NS line you mention that is crossed by CSX on a high bridge is a secondary route that was used by the N&W for their passenger trains to reach downtown Petersburg as well as a connection to the then ACL for connecting service to Richmond and New York. Now of course, freight only. I was fortunate as an 11 year old to ride on that behind steam on a train from Richmond, Broad St station, to Petersburg, N&W station, and then connect to the Pocahontas to Cincinnati.
RRRICH Member # 1418
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Thanks, Gil and palmland -- I'll add the new interchange to my maps. With the interchange in the NE quadrant, the mapped mileage also comes out MUCH closer to the published timetable mileage.
RRRICH Member # 1418
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I stand corrected!! In looking at Google Earth again, the new interchange actually IS shown -- it just wasn't labeled as a "railroad" before, but on closer examination, it is quite clear that that is what it is!!
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