by Malley
We have a camp on the CSX line over Sand Patch, and we go camping on the Magnolia Cutoff. Based on undocumented observations, there seems to be a real difference in traffic and power betweeen these two spots on what is nominally the same railroad.
-Magnolia seems to have more trains, and virtually all of them are powered by CSX marked locomotives. Traffic seems to be much greater at night. I realize Magnolia has whatever coal trains (hate to call 'em drags, as they were being moved pretty briskly) the West End can give, but the level of traffic still seems greater than over Sand Patch. Does hot weather increase the amount of nighttime traffic?
-Sand Patch traffic is powered by such a dog's breakfast of locomotives that a stranger would not be able to indentify the railroad by the power. BNSF, UP, HLCX (and assorted other leasors), BN, Wheeling and Lake Erie, and, oh yeah, some CSX.
So, the questions:
-Why the more apparent traffic over Magnolia? Last Friday night, I swear they were running like streetcars.
-Why the difference in motive power East and West of Cumberland?
I apoligize for the lack of hard numbers; we were trackside just to watch 'em run, and we did drink a little beer....
Thnx,
Malley
-Magnolia seems to have more trains, and virtually all of them are powered by CSX marked locomotives. Traffic seems to be much greater at night. I realize Magnolia has whatever coal trains (hate to call 'em drags, as they were being moved pretty briskly) the West End can give, but the level of traffic still seems greater than over Sand Patch. Does hot weather increase the amount of nighttime traffic?
-Sand Patch traffic is powered by such a dog's breakfast of locomotives that a stranger would not be able to indentify the railroad by the power. BNSF, UP, HLCX (and assorted other leasors), BN, Wheeling and Lake Erie, and, oh yeah, some CSX.
So, the questions:
-Why the more apparent traffic over Magnolia? Last Friday night, I swear they were running like streetcars.
-Why the difference in motive power East and West of Cumberland?
I apoligize for the lack of hard numbers; we were trackside just to watch 'em run, and we did drink a little beer....
Thnx,
Malley