An idea that I posted many years ago has surfaced. Although the exact mileages are lost the running of the bypass track along I-10 would reduce mileage from about 16 miles to about 5-1/2 - 6 miles. More importantly would allow 49 MPH operation vs 10 - 15 MMPH operation.
Where are CSX’s Pensacola terminal facilites and customer base in relationship to the relocation proposal? Just relocation of main line tracks is one thing - relocating a terminal and it’s needs for space as well as access to the customers is whole different thing. Does this plan encompass that need?
I have no knowledge of the physical characteristics of the Pensacola area and where CSX is in relation to the other things that make Pensacola, Pensacola. The one thing I do know, CSX must be able to continue service to it’s existing customer base in Pensacola in a cost effective manner. Whether this plan addresses that need or not, I have no idea.
Looks to me like a local business man wants to turn high value real estate into a bike trail. The TV station interviewed a local bicycle rider and some trespassers on the railroad who are all for it. Shazam!
I suspect he is grossly underestimating the cost of moving a rail line to a route adjacent to the I-10 freeway. That is not open land and not free of roadway conflicts.
Mac
Have not been in Pensacola in 20 years. When there before the I-10 corridor was not too built up. The I-10 and new CSX causeway ( eliminated a swing bridge ) run parallel each other across Escambia bay. The CSX runs south along the west side of the bay below some low clifts that have many older semi - mansions. This route is very curvey to downtown. At downtown there are some port facilities that had been serviced by L & N and the SLSF ( I believe the Frisco line is now run by the AGR - alabama gulf coast rr ) . The AGR and CSX parallel each other NW some 17 miles to Cantonment. do not know how many businesses would be affected if these lines were possibly combined.
The CSX line that runs from Flomaton, Al, Pensacola, Tallahassee is all dark territory. Tallahaassee east to Baldwin yard is ABS. Due to PTC implementation at present CSX has diverted most traffic routed from Flomaton - Montgomery - Manchester - Waycross - Baldwin. This proposal will not save CSX that much.
I would suspect CSX will in the future downgrade the track class on this route further degrading any possibility of the Sunset ever running that route again ?
Removing the through track from downtown may irritate Pensacola passengers if the Sunset is operated east of New Orleans again, for the station was close in. Of course, Amtrak succeeded in moving the Jacksonville station and the Richmond station (for the Florida and Charlotte trains) well away from downtown.
At least he’s not talking about just pulling up the rails, period.
And there does appear to be some demand for the trail he’s proposing.
Unlike the folks who want to tear up the old NYC Adirondack Division and replace it with a trail. Just about everything about their proposals is either a fairy tale or smoke and mirrors.
Was this the thread you were looking for?
http://cs.trains.com/trn/f/111/p/166852/1833999.aspx#1833999
Bruce
Yes Bruce – Thanks