CSX has leased out the line between Pensacola and Baldwin to a short line (I forget the name of it). New Orleans traffic has been rerouted over the Lineville Sub and the Bow Line. I suspect the upgrading of the Bow Line is the result of leasing out most of the PD and PA subs.
Reads like a smart move to make given the proximity of the coast line and increasing severity of Hurricanes.
Which doesn’t have to be. The state could pitch in on the line maintenence. Which I might add the line between Arcadia and Bonita Springs, FL could use a hefty dose of rehab…among others in the state.
It would not surprise me if eventually CPKC has to pay for capacity improvements in trackage rights areas around Houston.
That would be very similar to BNSF forking over the bulk of the cost of capacity improvements over Tehachapi where they have trackage rights but are the majority of the traffic.
If the CPKC-CSX route becomes the Grand Southeastern Trunk Line and starts pulling traffic to the route, speed through southeastern Texas will be of crucial import to the endeavor.
Some intersting pre announcements has come into focs.
Train orders has a post stating track work in Meridian began Sunday June 25th. By JUNE 26 a rail line under 22nd Ave was lowered 5 feet with new ties. ballast, an new rail. That will give the route double stack clearances for this new route. Oprn railway map shows this underpass as M&B ownership. Many yard tracks were also improved.
The poster stated all work done by C-PAK. Now how that actually worked for M&B tracks has not been stated. Note this work started before the official announcement of the new routing . Here is link to official announcement.
The STB filings date is not known but C-PAK apparently started June 25th to prevent interfering with M&B traffic. C-PAK certainly is not letting any weeds grow.
Open Street Map is wrong about the ownership of that track where the work is being done so far. M&B ownership begins just before the track crosses the NS mainline. The lowering is to obtain clearance under the 29th Avenue viaduct, undercutting will also be necessary under the 18th Avenue viaduct which is on M&B owned trackage just across from and beyond the Meridian Union Station.
Florida Gulf & Atlantic. From what I understand that line needs a lot of expensive bridge work. Lots of wooden bridges through the swamps.
Here are the coordinates to a small yard on the northwest side of Myrtlewood, Alabama.
32.259691, -87.965200
Copy and paste into your browser.
It will definitely have to be expanded if it is going to function as an interchange point, and perhaps a crew change point, for CPKC and CSX.
Or perhaps they will just let crews run through to Montgomery and Meridian.
Open rasilway map has updated tracks around Myrtlewoodl One siding south of main line ~ 2500 feet in length and one siding on north side of main ~ 6000 feet in length on north side. Also an abandone wye east of this second siding.
Can we expect for both RRs to want much longer sidings there? Maybe more?