Background. Last summer CSX replaced the inside rail of our siding with heavier rail including new tie plates. A couple months ago the outside rail was also replaced with new rail and tie plates. Then additional ballast was dropped along the main tracks from at least Fairburn - LaGrange. Nothing unusual so I thought.
A big surprise couple weeks ago as noticed that superelevation had been added to all curves where before little or none apparent before. More ballast dropped again and then the equipment in use became very interesting. There was no tie gang work present. However there were 3 surfacing machines each followed by a ballast regulator operating one group after another. Also at least one of the machines ( maybe2 ?) that are used to settle the trackage was in the parade following the second group. Then another surfacing machine group followed.
More ballast Monday then the equipment groups returned, repeated passes on the track the last 3 days… Even the siding was given some superelevation but not as much as the main line. That may because the mainline curve spiral just ends at the local siding turnout.
Has anyone seen this upgrade on any other CSX mainline? The trains are certainly having less wheel - rail noise on the curves. Could this be in anticipation of raising the MAS above 50 MP{H? There are no passenger trains on the line but the super elevation certainly appears the same as seen on some NEC main lines.