I was in Clinton, Tennessee today when I cam across a spur with this
http://rrpicturearchives.net/pictures\81155\Clinton%20007.JPG
I am wondering, what is the purpose of this spur? I assume MOW but I am not sure.
With the stacked old ties and old rails I would guess its a MOW scrap yard…The old ties and rails will be sold to the highest salvage bidder…
With a little selective compression (or a LOT of selective compression) that would make a good choice of `industry’ for that odd little space that’s too small/strangely shaped to accept a building.
If, like me, you’re modeling a prototype that was replacing stick rail on wood ties with welded rail on concrete ties, that could get to be a busy place!
Chuck (Modeling Central Japan in September, 1964)
Since it seems to be neatly sorted with lots of room to maneuver equipment in and out, it could be an active MOW supply point. There could be salvage and sale going on, too, but looks a little classier in the pic than being just that to me.
Mike,A MOW supply point should have new ties and rails and rechecking the photo those ties looks old and worn but,its hard to tell since the ties are far from the camera.A zoom in photo would have help identify this spur.
Either one would be easy to model.
The gravel (or ballast) is likely not there as salvage. Actually, it looks like there might be a little dump-trestle over there–I think I might see a railing.
If you have some operating hopper cars, here’s your chance.
Ed
https://maps.google.com/maps?q=Clinton,+TN&hl=en&ll=36.105514,-84.130168&spn=0.00462,0.006899&sll=35.830521,-85.978599&sspn=2.373598,3.532104&oq=Clinton&t=m&hnear=Clinton,+Anderson,+Tennessee&z=17 Google maps link to the area. Looks like it may have been a regular Wye in a previous life.
That link since speaks volumes.
Since there is a unloading pit for ballast we now know the ballast is new and checking the area we see stacks of new ties so,its a MOW yard.
The old ties will be sold to a salvage company…I’m not sure if the rails are salvage or replacement rail.
Yup.
F’rinstance, the white roofed trailers. Those look to be housing and offices for the MOW crews that are working on the trackage curving to the left–that would be the track with new ballast that’s been delivered at our subject area. You’ll note that the curve still has one rail covered with ballast. Also note lotsa cars parked near the trailers and in the yard. That would be the work crew’s cars. Missing is the loader(s) that would be working the ballast dump–unless those are them between the lines of trailers.
And I wonder about that fenced area down to the right. It looks like it’s been around for awhile. Since the railroad probably doesn’t do work out of this area ALL the time, perhaps that’s the guy who has the long term lease for the “triangle”. Well, maybe.
Yes, the more you look, the more you see. Hooray for aerial photos!
Ed