NEW ROUTE-CSX COLUMBIA SC to SAVANAH GA.

[amrail2000]

CSX COLUMBIA S-LINE UPDATE

OK guys, I have finally finished the Eastman Chemical plant. Also the Auto Terminal is complete. I am now moving down the line (heading south) to Savannnah. Once I get in from work tonight I'll try to get some get screen shots up.

 

[amrail2000]

OK sorry for the delay in getting my screen shots up. I have been very busy with work and I haven't had the time to post screenies. So be warned,I have alot that's going to coming on line. I'll be keeping them small so that this loads ok.
Before we get started let me tell you that I'll starting at the amtrak station in columbia, then proceeding east to the Norfolk Southern Andrews yard. Then I'll turn around and run south.
Please let me know what you think.

This the Amtrak Station here in Columbia SC. In this shot we are looking East towards Norfolk Southern Andrews yard. The Track on the left Belongs to NS, and the track on the right is the CSX from Hamlet NC.

In the shot above is the old Columbia Cotton Mill. This plant is no longer in operation. Back when I was 14 this plant took a couple of box cars each week. So I restored it here and put it back in business. The left of the frame still needs to be finished.

In this shot we are approaching the CSX Columbia Wye. The track on the far right is the Columbia Cotton Mill lead.

Here is the CSX Columbia wye.The track that swings to right is CSX's S-line to Savannah via Cayce. The Line that shoots through the middle is CSX to Sumter and the track is the NS R-line out of Charlotte NC.

In this shot we are coming of the wye and approaching the lead into the Norfolk Southern Andrews yard

At this time were making time on the Norfolk Southern. Our Idling power is two SOUTHERN GP39'2. The track on left is NS's R-Line. The Track on right goes to the Andrews Yard.

The structure ahead used to the Union Station in columbia. Now it's a california dreaming restauruant.

At this time we are crossing Assembly street making our way to Andrews Yard.

An areial view of the Assembly St Crossing. This area along took a solid week to complete

I wanted to give you an areial shot the wye in columbia.The track coming from the left is coming from Sumter on CSX and is going to Savannah via Cayce.While the track that disects the wye is the CSX Hamlet Sub headed to Hamlet(DUH). The track going from bottom to top belongs to NS.

 

[amrail2000]

Here we approaching the rosewood drive over pass. On our right is the CSX to Sumter.

The Norfolk Southern crossing Rosewood Drive.

CSX crossing the Andrews Yard west end. This area can be a bottle neck at times.

NS triple track main crossing CSX at Andrews yard.

Now on the left is the CSX line to Sumter(eastover sub), and the NS Andrews yard on the right.

This is Owens feild aiport right next to CSX and NS. I over did it on the size of air craft, as no C-130 has landed here. Those go to north airbase, or land at Columbia metro.

The Andrews yard before all tracks were in place.

Andrews Car and Locomotive Shop.

a little better view of the shops at the andrews yard. Again once I start back working this way, all missing scenery will be filled in.

 

[UP5521]

Looking good,I like what I'm seeing!

 

[allenconnor]

I've been there.

Amrail, I love the shots of that area. I used to live in Columbia and at one time I lived close to Andrews yard. To show you how times have changed. I would take my son and we would ride on my bicycle and would ride right into the yard and watch the trains switch. That was in 1972. There's no way they would let me do that now. I also remember the air field. A friend from our church took me on a ride in his plane from there. It was a fun place to live. Lots of action. I may have to buy Trainz 2010 to get this route when it's finished. I'm now running Trainz 06.

Allen

 

[Buffalo_trains93]

Sam,

I am blown away, absolutley blown away. This is turning out to be one of the best projects I've seen in a while. I cannot wait to run this route, and like Mr. Connor said, I may just have to by TRS2010, just because of this route. This is pure awsomeness, can't wait to see more,

Take care,

Ryan:wave:

 

[amrail2000]

Guys A big thanks for the kind words. I never realized just how welcomed this project would be when I started. I was just tired of trains being over powered and too short and stations being way to close to each other.

Allen, our paths may have crossed. I used to live in hickory. I was rather well known at OYAMA and I worked for LOWE"S foods (not the one on 321). I'm giving thought to creating a route for the old Carolina and Northwestern( Now Cauldwell County Railroad)

Well now for the screenies on CSX HEADED south. I'll be taking them from ANDREWS yard down past Gaston.By-The Way, you should the paper work I have beside me. Well Here Goes.

OK we're back at Andrews yard. The two tracks on the left are the CSX main and coal train holding track from sumter. These tracks are actually part of the Eastover sub, and will enter the Columbia Sub Shortly.

In shot is Columbia srap metal. This is interactive as are all the industries on my route. This one though is served by both CSX and Norfolk Southern. It's also at Andrews yard.

Here we're right across the street from the fairgrounds. The track on the right, is the meeting point of the Columbia/Eastover subs. The track on the left leads to the State news paper, cock-a-boose railroad(owned by USC Gamecocks),and Columbia Scrap Metal(pictured above.

and we're at the state news paper, news print rcvg building. The Brick building is USC dorms( UH-I think)

Ok moving back up the spur about 1200 feet we have the Cock-a-boose railroad. These cars are actually painted garnet and black. The cabooses are former Conrail cars. I'm using these as stand-ins till I can get the reapint done. The tracks they sit on are not connected to CSX anymore. Plus their new roofs make it illegal to move them.

This is a 3/4 shot of the same cars as pictured above. On the left is the State news paper lead. The track in the middle is going to a couple of industries that are no longer in use. Well that is till I got hold of them. I put them back in service.Why, cause I can, and I love tight curves.

Here approaching the Cock-a-boose railroad. Now if we on a locomotive coming from the state news paper, we would be in reverse.

Here is an aerial view and with the Williams Bryce Stadium in the back ground.The state news paper would be off to the left.

Now we've moved back up towards the state news paper. Except we have took the switch to the right. Im not what this company used to be so for it's un-named but loads pallet of goods.


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4037/4437866654_15b35d2537.jpg

 

[amrail2000]

here is an aerial shot of our un-named business. Yes the buildings are that close and the curves are just that tight.Needless to say, CSX leaves the BIG AC units in the yard to handle this area.

Ok here we're back out on the main beside the fairgrounds. If it was fair season the camper trailers would house fair employees. The siding on the leftis a team track. Just a short distance from here is the Olympia industrial area. The street ahead is Rosewood drive.

we're looking back at Rosewood drive.

Here we are facing the cut-off for the Olympia Industrial area. This area is rather large and is a real life switching puzzle.

Here's the Industrial cut-off crossing Assembly street. I put in Qaudrant Gates, which are not in place in the real world. It's protected with standard gates.(thanks BNSF50 for the gates)

Here's our industrial lead facing Assembly st.

Ok we are at the Olympia Industrial area.The plant ahead is a chemical plant. I don't know their name or what they produce.Since it's post 911 I don't think it's wise to go by and ask.

Here is an aerial shot of the shot above.

 

[amrail2000]

This is Carolina Coated products.The track leading into the plant cross the track in front of the plant( they form a half clover leaf)

this is just one part of the industrial area. The middle track backs into Carolina Coated Products. I did forget to mention. They Ship out coiled steel. I was graciously given a plant tour some 25 years ago, and recently. I remodeld the plant MGRS home.

We're looking down one bank of warehouses.Now if you like three way switches you'll love working this area. Just enter with two-four axle geeps.There is alot of running around your train.

Yep we have a crossing the middle of the street.The three ways are close enough to each road that you can see them from each crossing.Road traffic is very light here so no crossing gates are used.The plant on the right doesn't receive any thing by rail. Well now they do(HA-I got them.)So now they receive lumber by rail.

Another shot of Roofing Supply Group(RSG)

We are facing the end of the industrial area. Granted the scenery here is no where near complete.But I wanted to show just how close everything is here. End of track is just 275 feet from the last switch.

Now we're back on the main heading towards CAYCE. In this shot A mack truck was cut off and swurver right and a VW bug ran up under the truck.

Another shot of our accident scene. The crane in back is at a Heavy Equipment dealer. OK for those of you who might ask, no one was hurt.As for the car -uh-oh better get maco.

We are a CSX Columbia Wye. As the switch is lined up we are heading into CSX Cayce Yard.

 

[UP5521]

Outstanding,Amrail2000,

you recreated that part of CSX perfectly from what I'm looking at!

 

[amrail2000]

Here is the CSX/NS Cross over. In this one spot you can and will see CSX,NS,and if your out late enough Amtrak.The crossing is HUGER(Don't ask me to pronounce it-that is subject of heated debated in Columbia)

Now we are crossing the Congaree river. The bridge on the right belongs to CSX and the truss bridge belongs NS.(thankyou bendorsey for the truss birdge-awesome job)BTW, we're on the columbia side facing cayce.

Here we've rented a heli-copter( why not, if warren buffet can buy the worlds largest layout then we can rent a helicopter),just to take a picture of the CSX/NS Bridges.

Ok here I waded out into the river and got this picture of the CSX bridge. Now I wonder, who is going to ask to see the bridge with a train on it?

Ok according to CSX Dispatch in Jacksonville we're in the CSX yard.The track on the left is the CSX main,and the one left is the yard left. The M/W cars are at Marten Marietta(CAYCE QUARRY) waiting to be loaded.

Here's another shot of our M/W cars with the loading silos in the background.

Here's the loading silos at the Cayce Quarry.

Now where back out on the main facing south into the cayce yard.The quarry is on the left.

 

[UP5521]

wow,that detail never fails to impress,keep up the good work!

 

[amrail2000]

We are at the North end of the CSX Cayce yard. The Rack train is the tail of a CSX Q train headed to Dixiana(Yes I have Dixiana coming up).The road is state street. CSX here is very friendly. They don't mind railfans, and hotels and dining are very close, as is a nice riverfront park.

Were looking at 3 Geeps resting on the R I P track at Cayce.

We're at the South end of Cayce yard. The rack train is Q237. My grade crossing arms are incorrect for the crossing. At this time I hoping to get BNSF50 to make me set for the crossing. CMC Steel is on the right.

Here is Q237 before departing for Dixiana.

Here's Q237 heading south to Dixiana.The road is for Busbee creative Arts Accedemy.

Here we're looking under the 12th street extension just out from the Cayce yard.( we backed up a little)

Ok we're right outside of Dixiana. The Switch leads into the Carolina Eastman(Eastman Kodak)plant.

Now we're under HWY 321 and the CSX Dixiana Auto ramp is just ahead.
The track on the right is for storage for either the Eastman plant or auto terminal.

Now we're looking out the cab of Q237 heading into Dixiana.

We're track side as our train takes the siding at Dixiana and prepares to run around the train to couple onto the North end of the train.

 

[amrail2000]

Here's an aerial shot of Dixiana with the auto terminal on the right. The two industries are no longer rail active(Yeah right). They are on the route.

Here's 237's power now on the North of the train.

Here we have spare road units sitting a dixiana. The track diverging left is one of the leads into the terminal.

Here is an aerial shot of the CSX Dixiana Auto Terminal.This place is huge.

Here is the south end of the terminal. There are 7 tracks in here. Each track can hold 6 cars. I have every track set up to be industry inter-active.

Tracks 1&2 at Dixiana.
Ok for now I'm Going to take a break from uploading screenies. Tonight I'll try to get the Carolina Eastman Pics up. I hope you like these.

I have switched all the places you've seen here. And it takes me around 1 1/2 hours to switch Dixiana, 3 hours to work Olympia, and Carolina Eastman takes around 3 hours as well.As always let me please let me know what you think.Keep in mind that this is still very much under construction.

 

[amrail2000]

Guys,
I do want to thank you for your very kind words. They are very encouraging. When I first started this project I figured maybe one or two might be interested. But I'm finding that interest in this route is world wide. I am truly amazed.Thank you.

My next up date is the Carolina Eastman Chemical plant( Eastman Kodak).This plant receives covered hoppers (USRA marking ETCX) ,Tank cars(ETCX,DOWX,ACFX),and boxcars on occasion.This plant is huge and has around three or four yard with-in the confines of the property. The plant also uses a scale which I have and is very active.

Further I hope to get my one add on to this route uploaded. This is one deviation from the actual the I indulged in. We know about tropicana, and that CSX trains K650 and K652 handle unit trains of these cars. Well I wanted a distribution plant here in South Carolina. But I didn't want to just plop down a juice plant in the middle of some feild some where. I wanted it to be beleivabel and logical. Meaning tracks already in place and if lucky enough foundation as well.

As luck would have it, a short distance from Dixiana I found a large site with tracks and foundation and a few structures still in place. So thats where I put TROPICANA CAROLINA. The inbound train never will go all the into Cayce so I feel that it should add interest to the line. As with every on my route, you can go out into the feild and see the actual track and grade crossings. So I hope you won't begrudge me my Tropicana plant. By the way, the CSX that will handle that plant will be CSX K654. Well it's time for the up loading.

 

[amrail2000]

Carolina Eastman(Eastman Kodak)

We are facing the old Eastman Wye. Today this all that remains of this wye is just dirt. So I put it back in service, yet doing so with rusted rails. In this veiw we facing towards the Eastman plant.

This is the second leg of the Eastman wye. In this shot we facing toward the CSX main at Dixiana. The spur length just to get to the Eastman plant is 2.2 miles. My length comes out to 2.8 miles actual. Speed on this line shall not exceed 25 mph.

Welcome to CAROLINA EASTMAN.Here we are at the main S I T Yard(Storage IN Transit). Theres 5 tracks here and I would 1 for inbound trains from cayce and 1 for outbound trains to cayce. This section also forms one leg of a very noticable S curve.

This is the upper leg of the S-curve.Off the to right, is the start of the departure yard.The upper three tack go into the plant.

 

[amrail2000]

Carolina Eastman PLant entrance

This is the plants arrival and departure yards. The 3 far right tracks are arrival tracks. while the next two track are for departing cars(count from the right).The last four tracks go into the plant.

Now we are finally getting our first look at the Carolina Eastman Plant.The tracks on the far right are for storing Covered hoppers.This yard is 7 tracks wide. Just down the track is the first two track Hopper loading house.Right next to it is the scale house.

Now we are going into the plant itself. in this shot we have yet another hopper loading site with storage track. Now the plant has about 3 or 4 in plant switchers owned by Kodak. Seems How I couldn't find one, I sent one of my MR&T SD45's and two CSX gp38-2 from Cayce to work the plant..

 

[amrail2000]

This is single track going right down the middle of the plant. There literaly tracks to the left, and tracks to the right. We are headed to back of the plant and it's two biggest yard.

this is the entrance to the tank unloading facillty and hopper yard.

 

[amrail2000]

This is the four track hopper storage and unloading loading yard. The unloading house is 5 tracks wide.

The plants sort house is under going repairs so a number of cranes on are on site and adding to the congestion in this very small and cramped area.

Here we have a Terex Crane frm White Crane Co company setting up. The covered hoppers are from my road and on lease to Eastman Chemical.

Heavy lift crane at Eastman

This is one my favorite shots of the plant. We are looking over the plants only three way switch.

OK we trainzers know this structure to be locomotive/car shop. Well I needed a large enclosed building to unload cars. So this building fit the the bill.

Considering the time, Im going totry to get the Tropicana plant pics uploaded tomorrow. I hope that these didn't disappoint anyone.Please let me know what you think.

 

[posty33]

this is awesome work, keep it up