Saluda, NC at the top of NS Saluda Grade

[k4ldh]

I can remember when those tracks in front of Pace's were very busy

thanks for posting this

[Rtchugg]

They could do it! Need some helpers but they could do it!

[xxxDeath9572xxx]

is this line even in use today?

[CSX2665]

@xxxDeath9572xxx no i'm afraid these tracks r now closed due to its steepness & thus very dangerous for trains as a runaway can easily occur.

[xxxDeath9572xxx]

I found that out recently.

[CSX2665]

@xxxDeath9572xxx it sux that this can't b used anymore

[mkl62]

In October 1972, I rode the Clinchfield from Spartanburg to Erwin, TN.

[boardman49]

@mkl62 Wish I could take a trip like that.

[mkl62]

@boardman49 Does the old Clinchfield still run that excursion? On November 1, 1972, the Seaboard Coastline and the Louisville & Nashville merged to become The Family Lines. The Clinchfield was 1 of 4 railroads absorbed. The others were the Atlanta & West Point, Georgia, and Western Railway of Alabama.

[boardman49]

@mkl62 Sorry to say no more excursions on the old Clinchfield. After CSX took over that was the end of the excursions with one notable exception; in about 1992 CSX allowed Union Pacific steam locomotive 3985 to make a run on the old Clinchfield to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Christmas Train.

[mkl62]

@boardman49 I hate that. I loved that trip. I remember 2 of my cousins ate so many candy apples and got sick as dogs. Sadly one of them died on Dec. 27, 2007, succombing to Lou Gehrig's Disease. There is one steam excursion in SC: The Rockton & Rion in Fairfield County, a branch of the Norfolk Southern. I have also ridden the Best Friend of Charleston.

[NSmodeler24]

When I was younger I got to drive a train up this grade! It was pretty sick.

[spacewalker1551]

I used to travel up from Spartanburg, S.C. with my Grandparents and watch the trains there. What an operation. Matt from The History Ch. would have loved it. What ever happened to his show anyway?

[boardman49]

I really don't know what they did with his show.

[spacewalker1551]

Well I take it that you wanted his show. I have my VDR sat to record it when it comes on, but its been awhile.

[judgedred88]

Is the line jointed rail or welded rail?

[miketlow]

Has this line reopened yet?

[boardman49]

No. I don't know if the railroad has set a timetable to reopen the grade.

[EpiphoneSG95]

I don't believe they are going to reopen at all. It was such an operational headache.

[WolverinePride97]

i hope trains come back to saluda grade

[nwsd40]

you would think there would be some overgrowth aslong it s been closed and at 1 30 it looks like the track goes down into a bottom less pit

[NintendoGX159]

I really hope they save this rail line from being torn up. NS, Please bring it back. I hope it doesn't get turned into a fuckin rail walking trail.

[graysonator123]

Man lionelkid you told me the bags were taken off the crossings in Saluda. They are all still there!

[CaptainJohnnyRocket]

You are correct. The line looks absolutely the same. The lights are covered, gates removed, and track cut. It's either a rumor or flat-out lie about it re-opening soon.

[LionelKid18]

According to Ken Daniels, Spokesperson for NS Railway, The Saluda Grade will re-open in Late June of 2009. Repairs are being done and more effective track stabilizers are to put into place by the end of May. Rail servie will run once a day and return through Hendersonville.

[boardman49]

I'll be glad to see that happen. I'd love to go up there and watch trains climb that grade.

[Espee9180]

Whoa! Is this really true? If so, I'm packing my bags and heading to N.C.

[elektrosoundwave]

I've got pics on Railfan about my walk up and down the Grade.

[graysonator123]

I walked down it the other day with my dad and at 1:50 you can see how it drops. We only went about a mile down and its just insane.

[boardman49]

I would love to walk all the way down it, or up for that matter.

[ncrailfan]

That really sucks! There is a short branch line that runs from newtown to maiden nc, it closed back in the 70's or 80's I think, and I hate to see the tracks just sit there to rust and rot.

[NSmodeler24]

Befor it closed we got to know one of the engineers and i got to drive a train up the saluda grade. It was a neat experience. I wish they would reopen it.

[jpboonexxvii]

I was lucky enough to ride up and down the grade a couple of times before it closed. Great experience!

[boardman49]

I wish I could have done that. I've been up and down the Old Fort Loops, but Saluda would be a lot more exciting.

[jpboonexxvii]

Yeah, I went to work for NS in April 1998. There were lots of rumors at the time regarding the Saluda Grade, so I made it a point to ride it a few times (just in case).

[graysonator123]

Its been abandoned since December of 2001. Its a real shame. I'm not sure if actual sections of track has been removed but someone i know who sells DCC epuipment and railfans NS told me that they are talking about re-opening the grade.

[elektrosoundwave]

All track is still in place

[FlyBikes089]

Does Norfolk Southern still run on there or no anymore?

[boardman49]

It's been closed for about 7 years I think.

[FlyBikes089]

WOW! So, does NS will have come to prepare removed on NS Saluda Grade track or leave it? And why reason they closed no anymore what happen?

[boardman49]

I've heard that some of the track has already been removed. Saluda Grade is a great shortcut from Spartanburg to Asheville, but it requires a lot of fuel and it's dangerous because it's so steep.

[FlyBikes089]

Aw that not as easy and there too very dangerous because of steep lot like big bump right? So that crazy make me little confused about this!

[FlyBikes089]

And, when they was been closed?

[RCdash9]

The rails looked rusty there. Was this filmed after they closed the line?

[boardman49]

Yeah, several years after. I shot the video earlier this year. I'm not sure exactly when they closed the grade.

[RCdash9]

They closed it at the end of 2001.

[jnifr]

they were only running a train once a year then

[CaptainJohnnyRocket]

They were still running a couple to a few a day up until it closed.

[graysonator123]

do you live in spartanburg?

[boardman49]

Nah, Cleveland County just over the NC state line on 85. Maybe 50 or 60 miles from Saluda. When the weather's clear I can see Saluda Mountain way in the distance from my back yard.

[graysonator123]

i miss seeing the trains leaving spartanburg on that line. :( hope it reopens one day

[boardman49]

Me too.