If worse comes to worst, will 611 be landlocked in Roanoke in the event of a Canadian Pacific takeover of Norfolk Southern?

The short answer is yes.

Ross Rowland

Thank you for the information, Ross. I thought that would be the case, but I was not sure if there was a friendly short line Roanoke where 611 could still steam even if CP got NS.

Just "Musing" here. Does TVRM have to traverse NS trackage to access the Chattooga and Chickamauga for the Summerville trips? I think there is maybe 100 yards of NS that those trips traverse between the line along Holtzclaw Ave and where the old C of GA ROW turns south to Rossville (at I-24). Not thinking an issue because there are likely "trackage rights" or some such regulatory governance for that interchange anyway.

The NS Belt Line has always been used by TVRM even between 1995-2010, the belt line is used to get to the C&C

Hi,

Doesn't the TVRM own/operate the Tennessee side of the old L&N "Hook and Eye"?

Could the old Hook and Eye be able to handle 611 or even a 1218 sized loco?

How long is the line? The Georgia end is the Georgia Northeastern.

Just curious.

Doug vV

Answer is NO. L&N had continual problems with derailments with their 4-8-2s on account of curvature. No service facilities to speak of on the line, either.

IIRC correctly, now that TVRM owns the East Chattanooga Belt Line, they no longer routinely traverse NS trackage. They most likely retain trackage rights on the AGS main and the wye at CT interlocking for purposes of accessing Chattanooga Terminal.

When I was there, we had trackage rights over the NS and were required to request permission to occupy the block from the operator at DeButts Yard. Model Box was the only on line customer.

In addition to what Alan said about curvature problems, the "Hook and Eye" has CSX for an interchange at both ends. TVRM can't even get plain bearing cars from the museum to their track in Etowah because CSX won't allow it.

One off the wall idea... if the merger is agreed to, there will be a period when the Fed's review it for regulatory approval, and during that process they will ask for public comments. If enough people write responsible letters complaining that the merger would limit access for historic compliant railroad equipment, (and also write your senators and representatives) it is possible that access for steam trips would be included as a condition of SEC approval. If included in one merger, it would then be easier to include as a condition in future mergers.

Randy