kitchin wrote: ↑Fri Mar 26, 2021 10:27 am
Is the switch to the S-line between Richmond and Raleigh causing some tension, leading to your last two points? I don't recall how the S-line affects through service to Florida. It's for the Carolinian and SEHSR at least.
Its a good question. Its been widely thought that CSX was looking to downgrade the S-Line south of Raleigh which would negatively impact the speed of the only train that currently runs on it, the Silver Star. That said, there is very little public discussion of the Star and the Meteor in NC (and from NCDOT), I don't think they are viewed as particularly important to NC residents. Given that, I don't see any strong connections between the state's purchase of the S-Line and the Star. I have long thought that rerouting the Star via Charlotte to Columbia is a much better option for NC. AFAIK the only big hold up to that is access to the Columbia station. I could see this becoming much more of a possibility after Charlotte Gateway station opens in 2024.
I just saw a presentation by the SE Corridor Comission, strangely it also included a map which featured the Norlina to Weldon link, so it appears it is being viewed as an important link to build redundancy and better connect the S and A Lines.