NS - (S-Line) "Southern Loops" Graphite, NC

March 20, 2008 - Westbound NS local with woodchips is brought to it's knees climbing the famed "Southern Loops". Action is at Graphite. With the rain really coming down. Just prior to the train coming into view, it had almost stalled. I heard the motors go from Run 8 to idle only to return to Run 7? and then as it passed, back up to Run 8. The engineer is operating the consist from the 2nd unit. Can only venture to guess that this was due to the units not being configured right? Needless to say this was about the greatest experience I have had in a long, long time.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Norfolk
• Southern
• The
• Loops
• Graphite
• Noth
• Carolina
• Heavy
• Train
• Uphill
• Battle
• Apalachian
• Mountains

[NSTrainFan]

I'm trying to figure out where you are on the loops. I know your in Graphite, but I would like to know how you got to where you are?

[bsauerteig]

email me off line and I would be happy to gudie you to the location

[CaptNemo100]

@benschlechter Looks like the first loco is an ex-Southern GP38-2 and the second one looks like a GP60. I think the GP60s were bought after the merger.

[benschlechter]

Aren't those first Geeps former southern locomotives?

[benschlechter]

The S-line starts in morristown,tn and follows the french broad river from Leadvale (White Pine), TN to Asheville,NC then goes on to Salisbury.

[ljones121]

man them poor geeps, are just struggling to climb the loops, but great video:)

[pawpawgator]

Is this at the Mill Creek Road ceossing??

[DJGENEX71]

This is awesome! I haven't seen GP units work that hard in a long time!

[cu29640]

I was there yesterday but could not find this location. How does one get there?

[MAG315]

Man, those bulls are pulling their hearts out! Those woodchips are getting heavier by the minute in that rain.

[locoman306]

awesome video, thanks!!!!

[robmasterman]

Excellent video, and thanks for sharing..it kept me on the edge of my seat!..5*...Bob