emd_SD_60 wrote:I call those hybrids the "new age hippy mobile". Those things are only for vegans and environmentalists.The only reason why I would consider buying a Hybrid is to cut down on gas costs. I am far from an environmentalists, i.e. when done with a switch list let it fly freely in the air, after-all, it will dissolve eventually.
Railroad Forums
CSX Hurricane Katrina and the effects it has on CSXT
- Discussion of the operations of CSX Transportation, from 1980 to the present. Official site can be found here: CSXT.COM.
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While it appears this topic got off topic with a discussion of gasoline prices, allow me to try to return it to topic.
I know we discussed this point earlier such as at Katrina + 1; now we are at Katrina +16 and I again ask.
"Any thoughts regarding whether CSX will restore the L&N Gulf Coast Line?"
It would appear a reasonable alternative to protect their traffic could be to use North South routings from both Mobile (GM&O) and Pascagoula (Miss Export) and to reroute through traffic over the ACL to Selma where it could be interchanged to the IC for forwarding to New Orleans. Other than building materials for a new casino, I wonder where else there is on line traffic other than at Mobile (deepwater port) and Pascagoula (Ingalls shipyard). It seems like CSX can't make it through a year without some major disruption on that line, and I am just wondering if someone @ 500 Water is questioning the wisdom of rebuilding the line as a through route.
I gladly defer to knowledge from Members such as Mr. Nip; I really know little about the area other than what I've observed from several L&N and Amtrak rides over the line (my Air Force specialty trained at Keesler, but I was never sent there - just as well; the place "back when I was in' was known to "reek of chicken *hit"). Oh and I guess I know that in the movie "This Property is Condemmed', there is footage shot of a steam locomotive X-ing the Pass Christian viaduct.
I know we discussed this point earlier such as at Katrina + 1; now we are at Katrina +16 and I again ask.
"Any thoughts regarding whether CSX will restore the L&N Gulf Coast Line?"
It would appear a reasonable alternative to protect their traffic could be to use North South routings from both Mobile (GM&O) and Pascagoula (Miss Export) and to reroute through traffic over the ACL to Selma where it could be interchanged to the IC for forwarding to New Orleans. Other than building materials for a new casino, I wonder where else there is on line traffic other than at Mobile (deepwater port) and Pascagoula (Ingalls shipyard). It seems like CSX can't make it through a year without some major disruption on that line, and I am just wondering if someone @ 500 Water is questioning the wisdom of rebuilding the line as a through route.
I gladly defer to knowledge from Members such as Mr. Nip; I really know little about the area other than what I've observed from several L&N and Amtrak rides over the line (my Air Force specialty trained at Keesler, but I was never sent there - just as well; the place "back when I was in' was known to "reek of chicken *hit"). Oh and I guess I know that in the movie "This Property is Condemmed', there is footage shot of a steam locomotive X-ing the Pass Christian viaduct.
Mr.Norman-I asked the same question to our Assistant Terminal manager a few days ago----and he stated that CSX will rebuild the New Orleans Yard. I know we are getting 10 engineers and 10 Conductors from New Orleans in the next few days as temporary workers in our Division untill -----they can get their families and life's back in some kind of normal mode after this disaster.
Nashvillie Newbie
Nashvillie Newbie
Not for one moment, Mr. Newbie, do I think Chessie should walk from any source of traffic anywhere on the System.
But considering that I had left the railroad industry before CSX has evolved from the Chessie System and the Family Lines, I can only claim layman's knowledge of CSX operating philosophies. As I noted above, it seems like they loose that L&N Gulf Coast line and/or the connecting SAL Panhandle Line, every year, patch it up, only to loose it again.
Isn't there a better way, such as serving the traffic sources, New Orleans of course included, by means of existing North-South lines? I would think there would be a lot of "room' , i.e. the cost of the upcoming heap big patch up, with which to work out trackage arrangements with the IC, GM&O (CN; successor), Southern (NS), and whoever the successor to Mississippi Export RR may be (CSX; FAIK).
But considering that I had left the railroad industry before CSX has evolved from the Chessie System and the Family Lines, I can only claim layman's knowledge of CSX operating philosophies. As I noted above, it seems like they loose that L&N Gulf Coast line and/or the connecting SAL Panhandle Line, every year, patch it up, only to loose it again.
Isn't there a better way, such as serving the traffic sources, New Orleans of course included, by means of existing North-South lines? I would think there would be a lot of "room' , i.e. the cost of the upcoming heap big patch up, with which to work out trackage arrangements with the IC, GM&O (CN; successor), Southern (NS), and whoever the successor to Mississippi Export RR may be (CSX; FAIK).
There isnt really any other alternative other than rebuilding the ex-L&N line from new orleans to mobile
this line is CSX's main east-west intermodal corridoor in the south
the only other way they could move traffic was via trackage rights from new orleans to montgomery and then down to tallahassee and jacksonville or east to atlanta, waycross or points east, this may be a viable alternative if they can work out the rights
another way would be to re-route all their intermodal via the memphis or st. louis gateways and then down south.
That is problematic because of capacity issues, extended travel length (time, distance = co$t) and the western railroads wouldnt agree to it
so really they are in a bind
This line has been problematic since day one due to hurricanes, back in the 60's camile took it out for a time, it happens every few years.
Last year with Ivan and this year Dennis, they lost considerable trackage in Florida panhandle
Guess it is the cost of doing business.
NS's line is well inland and suffered relatively little damage, whereas the CSX line is damn near right on the coast and has MANY bridges which were severely damaged or destroyed
this line is CSX's main east-west intermodal corridoor in the south
the only other way they could move traffic was via trackage rights from new orleans to montgomery and then down to tallahassee and jacksonville or east to atlanta, waycross or points east, this may be a viable alternative if they can work out the rights
another way would be to re-route all their intermodal via the memphis or st. louis gateways and then down south.
That is problematic because of capacity issues, extended travel length (time, distance = co$t) and the western railroads wouldnt agree to it
so really they are in a bind
This line has been problematic since day one due to hurricanes, back in the 60's camile took it out for a time, it happens every few years.
Last year with Ivan and this year Dennis, they lost considerable trackage in Florida panhandle
Guess it is the cost of doing business.
NS's line is well inland and suffered relatively little damage, whereas the CSX line is damn near right on the coast and has MANY bridges which were severely damaged or destroyed
According to many people the Rail Line Slowed down the waves in the 1969 Hurricane Camellia and many thought this would be the case.
As always, Mr. Nip, your knowledge of Southeast railroad industry affairs is greatly appreciated and noted with respect.
I have now learned that CSX has let a contract with an outside concern for the rebuilding of the Gulf Coast Line.
I remain astounded; it is just going to be taken out again as these killer storms are going to be part of the earthscape until something occurrs to "cool off' the Gulf. Likely such would come to pass when there is next an "El Nino' effect.
But then who am I to question the collective wisdom @ 500 Water?
I remain astounded; it is just going to be taken out again as these killer storms are going to be part of the earthscape until something occurrs to "cool off' the Gulf. Likely such would come to pass when there is next an "El Nino' effect.
But then who am I to question the collective wisdom @ 500 Water?
The line from Mobile to New Orleans is being rebuilt by Hutchler Services. The line is damaged heavilly in only about 20-40 miles and 2 bridges in the 140 miles between Mobile and New Orleans. The reason that the line is being rebulilt are many. 1. The line carries upwards of 20-25 trains on a busy day 2. The only RR bridges on the lower Mississippi S of Memphis are at New Orleans, Baton Rouge, and Natchez MS. 3. It has been talked about in S. Mississippi for many years about placing the tracks in S. Mississippi alongside I-10 which is anywhere from 5-15 miles inland from the beach. There have been billions of dollars invested over the years in this reigon. Yes, we do have hurricanes but do should we abandon the western uSA because of Brushfires, Earthquakes and Landslides, I think not. Yes we need stronger buiding standards and no build zones in flood zones and beach erosion areas but this and the current huuicane Rita have and will put sea water flooding far inland. Sorry about the long rant but this is an important area (read petrochemical plants and refinerys that some energy hoggish areas wont let build in thier areas on the NIMBY principle) but they are first to complain about gasoline prices.
There is not a bridge , nor has there ever been a railroad bridge across the river at Natchez. There was a railroad car ferry that operated into the late 1970's or a little later. Operated by Mopac and connecting with IC
( ex. Yazoo and Mississippi Valley) incidently , Y & MV was one of the very first lines built in the deep south. There is a bridge at Vicksburg, however. Fomerly IC, then Mid South rail. Now part of the KCS Dallas - Meridian (Meridian Speedway) The bridge has had major work done to it, as has the winding approaches to it on the east side in Vicksburg.
This line was down to one or two thru trains a day in Mid South days, and is now an extremely busy main line, with new yards, and long passing sidings being installed across Mississippi, and Louisiana as I write this. I would not be suprised to see this line double tracked, as well as ctc installed in the near future. KCS is the big winner in the huricane Katrina
wake. A LOT of additional traffic is coming off NS at Meridian for Dallas, as well as former L&N (CSX) traffic off the coast line. I have heard one year to a year and a half before the line along the coast is reopened. KSC is fast, avoids the bottleneck of New Orleans, and Houston.....and a lot of this new traffic is going to stick around permanently.
( ex. Yazoo and Mississippi Valley) incidently , Y & MV was one of the very first lines built in the deep south. There is a bridge at Vicksburg, however. Fomerly IC, then Mid South rail. Now part of the KCS Dallas - Meridian (Meridian Speedway) The bridge has had major work done to it, as has the winding approaches to it on the east side in Vicksburg.
This line was down to one or two thru trains a day in Mid South days, and is now an extremely busy main line, with new yards, and long passing sidings being installed across Mississippi, and Louisiana as I write this. I would not be suprised to see this line double tracked, as well as ctc installed in the near future. KCS is the big winner in the huricane Katrina
wake. A LOT of additional traffic is coming off NS at Meridian for Dallas, as well as former L&N (CSX) traffic off the coast line. I have heard one year to a year and a half before the line along the coast is reopened. KSC is fast, avoids the bottleneck of New Orleans, and Houston.....and a lot of this new traffic is going to stick around permanently.
As I noted earlier, I'm not sure that rebuilding of the Gulf Coast line to standards necessary for through freight operations (as well as Amtrak's Sunset Limited) is a "done deal'. ThisAssociated Press reportage would appear to bear out such thoughts.
I'm certain that rebuilding necessary to support local freight for on line industries such as the Port of Mobile, Ingalls (Northrup/Grumman) Shipyard at Pascagoula, and the requirement to move building materials for reconstruction, will move forth as previously reported.
I'm certain that rebuilding necessary to support local freight for on line industries such as the Port of Mobile, Ingalls (Northrup/Grumman) Shipyard at Pascagoula, and the requirement to move building materials for reconstruction, will move forth as previously reported.
The company is slowly but surely getting back on it's feet from what I have been reading on the employee reading files.
They are currently looking for train service employees who would like to temporarily transfer to Mobile & New Orleans for a 6 month duration.
They are currently looking for train service employees who would like to temporarily transfer to Mobile & New Orleans for a 6 month duration.