There is a lot of construction going on at that interchange, which is on the SW edge of MIA. Anyone know what’s happening?
Mark
PS: The interchange is called, “Oleander Junction.”
Haven’t a clue. Keep us posted.
When I was in the army, I was stationed at Homestead Air Force base, 1977-'79. At that time, FEC served the base on a spur from Naranja and ran all the way to Florida City. Now it truncates at Kendall, no?, and is probably awaiting rebuilding for commuter service from Miami. We called US 1, south of Florida City, on the old FEC roadbed, “Blood Alley”. I drove it every day, down to about where Woodall was. No fun! Haven’t been there since “Andrew”! Nothin was left of my condo complex in Naranja! Nada!!!
Hays – UH-1 Crewchief, FLARNG
The FEC spur that ended at Dadeland is gone. All the maps show the old, (wye) configuration, of which the FEC portion is gone. The CSX can now go straight across Perimeter Road to the West Dade rockpit, avoiding the switchback. Hopefully, Google etal will remap this area soon.
Stay tuned… Detailed information to follow soon. [;)] A late night railfanning FEC and CSX action in the Hollywood-Ft. Lauderdale area tonight. [zzz]
Meanwhile, check out some of my videos and photos by clicking on the links below.
Enjoy,
I can’t locate “Dadeland” on my Mike Walker map. Are you referring to the Rinker spur from Alligator Jct.?
The spur I’m referring to runs from the airport south and used to hook up with the FEC line that ran alongside US 1 before the Metrorail. There was also a “wye” at that junction. There is still a short stretch of track from the US 1 line just below the Dadeland South Metrorail station. I have driven across it many times. “Dadeland” is a shopping mall at N Kendall Dr, “SW 88 ST.” & US1, “S Dixie.” Try using Google maps & you’ll find it.
Mark
\
Dadeland is the name of the shopping mall at US-1 and SR-876 Snapper Creek Expy. in Kendall. This is where the old FEC mainline which ran along side US-1 (now known as the Busway) between downtown Miami and Homestead connected with the old Little River belt line, later to be known as the Kendall Branch which ran from Oleander to Dadeland. I don’t know anything about Alligator Jct.
You’re referring to the old Little River belt line, later to be known as the Kendall Branch which ran from Oleander to Dadeland. Damage caused by Hurricane Andrew in 1992 forced the abandonment south of SW 12 St. in Miami. Earlier this year, the remaining trackage which was used mainly to serve FEC’s southermost and only customer on the Kedall Branch, Everglades Lumber, including the diamond, was ripped up. Now FEC trackage ends at NW 72 Ave. on the south side of MIA where it converges with the CSX Lehigh Spur. More detailed information about the recent trackwork at oleander to follow… Really busy over here so Stay Tuned. [;)]
While you’re waiting, check out this video of mine:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oigWGU1AYNc&feature=channel_page
Pay particular attention to the clip at 3:26 for answers to some of your earlier questions.
Short story on the Oleander interchange. I was working conductor at FEC Hialeah yard. One job was to get a loaded auto rack from the interchange which SCL had left the night before. Open auto racks in the early 70’s. All the automobiles were on the rack, but every wheel on the autos was gone. 15 automobiles sitting on the rack with no wheels. I thought it pretty funny at the time.
See ya.
Larry
The old interchange at Oleander was known as G-9. Since the diamond was ripped up earlier this year, the interchange now serves as a storage track for CSX.
It does appear easier for the two railroads to interchange cars.
This thread appears to be fading away. So I’m bumping it to try and get an answer to my original question.
Mark
Sorry, Mark… I’ve been working on a rather large home improvement project that has been keeping me very busy. Here’s a quick summary of what’s happened at Oleander…
The track construction on the south side of MIA is complete as consists of the following improvements:
New connection from the CSX Homestead Subdivision, SXH 1039.6 to the CSX Lehigh Spur (SXL) across NW 12 St. (Perimiter Rd.), eliminating the need for trains to reverse around the curved track from the switch at SXH 1041.2 You might remember those reverse moves used to tie up traffic on Flagler St. and sometimes SW 8 St. as the trains are usually over 4,000’ in length.
New interlocking plant at the new connection.
The removal of the above mentioned switch at SXH 1041.2 and SXL trackage from that switch to the west end of the new connection.
The removal of the diamond at Oleander SXH 1041.1/FEC LR 11.82.
The removal of FEC trackage from NW 72 Ave. to LR 11.87, just beyond the diamond.
The connection of FEC trackage to the CSX Lehigh Spur at NW 72 St.
The connection of the FEC Kendall Branch, LR 11.87 to the CSX Homestead Subdivision at SXH 1041.0. This is the FEC line that ends at SW 12 St. and serves Everglades Lumber. CSX now operates across this line.
The removal of a segment of shared G-9 Interchange track from SHX 1041.0 to LR 11.87.
I’m working on a Google Earth KMZ file for you which will help you understand better. Shoot your email address over to me @ theodolite1@aol.com and I’ll send it to you as an attachment. [;)]
I guess I should have been more specific: There is construction going on at the present, on the north side of Perimeter Rd., right alongside the interchange. What’s up with that?
Mark
Not sure, but I’ll check it out later this week. It may have something to do with the upcoming interchange of the Disney “A Christmas Carol” train that will be in town the week after next. It will interchange to CSX at the new Oleander connection.
*Correction - Word in the office is that the Disney train will follow Amtrak’s Silver Meteor route down the CSX A-Line to the Auburndale Sub. It will be handing off to FEC on the 14th or the 15th at Oleander and an open house will be held at FEC Hialeah Yard on the 16th thru the 18th. Afterward, FEC will hook up their power to it, run it to Beaver Street in Jacksonville and turn it loose. As with everything FEC, always subject to change at a moment’s notice, so be governed accordingly. [;)]
I went down there yesterday to take a look and it appears the construction you ask about is simply the widening and rerouting of NW 12 St. over the new Lehigh Spur connection. No trackwork in the area that I can tell.