line reopenings - 2006 unsung tale

robertjohndavis · **Joined:** Mon Aug 23, 2004 8:10 am **Posts:** 2499

I have been noticing a lot of common tales as of late, where long dormant rail lines are being cleared and in many cases brought back to service.

We heard about the Catskill operation here. There has been a similar effort on the north end of the Valley RR in CT.

In New Hampshire, the Silver Lakes is reopening the BandM Conway Branch from Conway to Madison for tourist trains - or so I have just read.

Here in Joisey, the NYSW Tech guys just wrapped up a season of steam on two more miles of the PRR Bel-Del and plan opening more miles.

An unknown (to the railfan community) entity is clearing the CNJ southern division from Woodmansie,NJ north.

The rumor mill says that the former MEC mountain division is being cleares from St.Johnsbury to Gilman, VT though I have no confirmation.

Any others for the list?

Rob

Mark S Bassett · **Posted:** Tue Nov 14, 2006 12:26 am

God willing and the creek don't raise, the Nevada Northern Railway will be reconstructed starting in 2007. While we were at TRAIN word came down that one of the power plant companies got the green light.

Plans are being drawn up to rehab the track from Shafter (mp 18) to the end of track (mp 148). Track will be Class 3 from mp 18 to mp 110 with heavy rail. Once complete locomotive 40 will be able to stretch her legs again.

Tom Cornillie · **Posted:** Tue Nov 14, 2006 12:59 am

If that upgrade would proceed as you describe, how much of the line would remain in its present state?

Tom Cornillie

kalbrandt · **Joined:** Sun Aug 22, 2004 2:40 am **Posts:** 88

Mark Bassett's entry on mileposts 18-148 on the Nevada Northern Railway include the junction with the UP (formerly WP) at Shafter, Nevada (mp 18) south to Ely, Nevada (mp 149).

The portion of the original NN that is apparently NOT included is from its origin at Cobre, Nevada (mp 0.0; junction with the Southern Pacific) to the crossing of the Western Pacific at Shafter, Nevada (mp 18). The NN diamond at Shafter was lifted c1985.

For a map of the NN and an employee timetable listing mileages see these pages on my personal Web site:
http://nn.railfan.net/bkgd/1940map.gif
http://nn.railfan.net/ely_route/ely_route.html
http://nn.railfan.net/ely_route/timetable.html

Dave · **Posted:** Tue Nov 14, 2006 9:15 am

Mark S Bassett wrote:

God willing and the creek don't raise, the Nevada Northern Railway will be reconstructed starting in 2007. While we were at TRAIN word came down that one of the power plant companies got the green light. Plans are being drawn up to rehab the track from Shafter (mp 18) to the end of track (mp 148). Track will be Class 3 from mp 18 to mp 110 with heavy rail. Once complete locomotive 40 will be able to stretch her legs again.

Gee Mark, looks like you could use a couple of 2-10-2s for hauling the heavy freight. Any chance of it?

dave

ebtrr · **Posted:** Tue Nov 14, 2006 4:31 pm

The East Broad Top has been clearing to the south of the Rockhill Furnace Yard and has about a half mile of trackage cleared out and operable for speeders and MOW equipment.

John Bohon · **Joined:** Sun Aug 29, 2004 1:04 pm **Posts:** 625

While it is for freight operation and not preservation our Pee Dee River Ry in Bennettsville, SC reopened 3.5 miles of line to the expanding Mohawk Carpet mill. This track had probably been out of service for at least 30 years and much of the right of way had to be logged before the track could be rebuilt. A year ago you could hardly see the roadbed and track. Today freight cars are sitting at Mohawk.

John Bohon