Norfolk Southern's Saluda Grade

[tony46214]

I had an opportunity to see N & W 611 go up and down the famous Saluda Grade back in 1993....American Alta Vista has 2 videos for sale with the famous 611

[Trainmasterryan]

do you know where they have rerouted the trains now instead of the grade

[boardman49]

Since Saluda is closed, trains going to Asheville have to travel all the way from Greenville, SC to Salisbury, NC, take a left at the wye, go through Hickory and Morganton and up the loops at Old Fort to get to Asheville.

[Trainmasterryan]

thats totaly rediculous. they shoud have a contracting crew go up there and level out the grade so the trains can go directly through

[boardman49]

It's a long way around, no doubt about that.

[ncrailfan]

It might suck that the line is closed but it gives me more trains to see in the Hickory/Conover area.

[BudmanPackfan]

I just read NS is reopening Saluda with upgraded safety features and track stabilizers. Late 2009.

[csxketh1]

I heard about that!

[BudmanPackfan]

this is the southeastern approach to go over the Appalachain Mountains. THis isn't just some litte hill. a tunnel would not be feasible. Like he stated, this is a 2000 foot climb from the Atlantic seaboard over the mountains. THis is the same thing faced by western roads over the rockies, just the approaches are flatter than this location. even the tunnels out there are only at the pass, trains climb several thousand feet of elevation to get there.

[Boss302fan]

Oh. You are aware of the costs of engaging in such a project and therefore you know it would be so profitable that not doing so would be ridiculous?

How did you come to such knowledge as it pertains to the operational profitablility of the tonnage moving over this district?

[HDGProductions]

Some people really like trains. That looks pretty dangerous, haha. My cousin works for Northfolk, I can't see him wanting to take this on. Good thing its not in use.

[wcwhitner]

This track is very hard to maimtian, gangs can only work it in one direction. very costly

[boardman49]

Thanks. That's a lot of good information and really interesting. Thanks for the correction on the altitude change. If you've ever driven up Saluda Mountain on Interstate 26 that's a pretty steep grade, too.

[Beaver456]

Saluda might open up again because of it's direct connection between Charleston and the Ohio River for Intermodal traffic. But many bridges only the route need major work.

[boardman49]

It's the most direct route between Greenville, SC and Asheville, NC. Since Saluda is closed, trains going to Asheville have to travel all the way from Greenville, SC to Salisbury, NC, take a left at the wye, go through Hickory and Morganton and up the loops at Black Mountain to get to Asheville. I was told by a former NS employee that a brakeman's job on Saluda Grade is extremely hard work, not to mention terrifying.

[BRIANamtrak]

hardcore!

[o00o00ozy]

That's like the NS's version of the Marias Pass. That be sweet if it was used, I noticed more than one main in certain areas, there should at least be one set of trains using it a day, I wonder if there are any impressive filming locations. You should google earth other routes as well.

[boardman49]

I have some more routes in the works.