CSX has announced that it will lease original C&O main line between Richmond and Clifton Forge to Buckingham Branch RR. Buckingham Branch is a short line from Bremo Bluff to Dillwyn, VA (approx. 15 miles) that was spun off years ago from CSX. It connects to CSX James River Line but does not connect to the newly leased CSX line. CSX will retain trackage rights over the newly leased line. Most EB coal uses low grade James River line from Clifton Forge to Richmond, and then on original C&O main line down the Peninsula to Newport News. WB empties may still use the leased line over Afton Mtn through Charlottesville. Not sure what will happen to long term CSX (C&O) trackage rights over NS (Southern Rwy) from Orange to Alexandria, but they probably don't have much traffic to/from from DC area, especially after CSX merger with SCL and RF&P.
Link to local newspaper article follows:
http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Sa ... 21business
Link to local newspaper article follows:
http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Sa ... 21business
