What is the word on the Gainsville Midline? Is it going anywhere or just going to continue its one train each way for the forseeable future
I’m not really sure. It seems to be doing very well, however. They have five six axle engines on it. I’ll try to post some pictures of the variety of power that they use. Last weekend they had five SD70 and Dash 8/9’s. A lot of that has to do with the extreme grades, but they do move a lot of freight as well. There is a siding just outside of Athens that they park them on every Sunday, and it is a great place to view the weeks power.
I believe that there are two trains a day on some days One early morning and the other in the afternoon/evening. They move a bunch of soybeans in and vegetable oil out of Gainesville that is destined for CSX. They take it over to the CSX line in Athens. They also deal with the empties.
There is a pretty good sized chicken feed mill on the line in Gainesville. They move in a good amount of corn to it. (Funny story: Last summer one of their hopper doors came open and the tracks looked like a golden railroad. A few weeks later their was a 10 mile long, but very narrow and short row of corn stalks…)
There is a Thomas concrete plant that gets a good number of covered hoppers bringing in cement.
There is also a sizable plastics industry. I see a fair amount of covered hoppers with pelitized plastic headed to these. This has been expanding in the past few years
I have seen a number of reefers, but I don’t know where these go to yet. It is usually about five at a time.
Finally they bring in a few loads of lumber. Some goes to a local builders supply that just built a brand new spur and unloading ramp. The rest is transfered to trucks near downtown at the end of the line.
The track quality has improved measurably, however, CSX in this area still has no comparison to the quality of the NS
I have pictures of most of these cars and some of the industries. Give me some time, and maybe a few reminders and I’ll try to post them if you are intersted.
I hope this
Very informative and interesting
Thanks Dough: I have often wondered about that road. My grandmother’s house used to be in Oconee Heights just out side of Athens on the Old Jefferson Rd. The house is gone now as is Grandma and most of the family. The news was welcome to know that some things do stay around. thanks again - roy