Was wondering if anyone has any information on the CSX line between Evansville, IN and wherever it terminates in Illinois. The line used to run all the way into East St. Louis when it was used by the L&N, but for the past 15 years or so, CSX runs to Danville ( I believe ), then across to St. Louis.
They have upgraded the signaling equipment on the line over to Illinois and I heard rumor that the company may start using this route again into East St. Louis. This would be the old L&N St. Louis Division…
Ziggy
first welcome to the forums.2nd csx is always trying to make up from past mistakes.The old nyc line into St Louis might be getting full so they need another outlet.They let the B&O line go to waste in southern indiana and illinois so that could be it possibly.
stay safe
Joe
I followed the nyc “b-line” last month from Anderson to the west state line and I saw one train. I have a hard time believing the line is at capacity. Is there a new customer to serve?
I believe the line that runs from Evansville through to St. Louis is not the old B&O but is the old L&N line, or the really old Louisville, Evansville & St. Louis. They still use this line between Evansville and it runs over to Belleville, IL. We get about 6 or so trains through here (Mt. Vernon) daily… small frieghts and some coal drags from southern Illinois…
Was hoping CSX engineer might have some insight on this.
From my limited experience I know that CSX has Evansville crews that run from Evansville to St. Louis. And like Ziggy said they run some small freights and coal drags with the remote engines in the middle for extra pull. I think the Evansville crews go north to Vincennes and then head west on the old B&O to St. Louis??? CSX also runs north from Evansville through Terre Haute, Danville IL, and north to Woodland Junction which is about 80 miles south of Chicago. At Woodland CSX joins with the UP line that runs from Chicago to St. Louis. The main becomes a double track from Woodland jct. north all the way to Chicago. Right now the UP is completely repairing the double main line and there is a track curfew in effect. The FRA has reduced the track speed from 60mph to 40mph due to the poor condition of the track, so maybe we’ll be able to go 60mph again one day.
I checked the bullsheet web site and found a few trains that move from Evansville to the St. Louis area:
204 - Louisville - EStL via Evansville
247 - EStL to Louisville via Evansville
265 - St.L to Louisville via Evansville
687 - St.L to Nashville via Evansville
686 - Nashville - St. Louis via Evansville
These trains all take the CSX line from Evansville to Vincennes (old C&EI) and then turn to the B&O St. Louis route.
I grew up west of Vincennes near Olney, Il and back in the 70’s/80’s B&O had 4 trains each way between ST Louis and Cincinnati, plus a local. I actually rode a couple of B&O passenger trains to St. Louis, 1963, 1964, and 1966.
Sadly, CSX does not route the St. Louis - Cincinnati train this route,instead to Avon Yard in Indy.
The B&O track was always in good shape, but it was ABS with sidings and I doubt it could handle a high volume of traffic.
Of course, it is a mute point as CSX tore up the mainline in Ohio back in the 80’s thus eliminating any intermodal traffic from UP for the east coast…