Could this open opportunities that have been closed under CSX?

https://wtop.com/dc-transit/2019/12/maj ... -csx-deal/

Could this even be part of the opportunity?

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=41074

Back in 1993, CSX somehow allowed a series of autumn excursions on their line out of Charlottesville. I was privileged to ride one of the Saturday runs. Power was Jack Showalters pair of Pacifics which have been repatriated back to Canada. The leaves were at their peak and the trip was memorable. Charlottesville to Clifton Forge would make a great run if all the stars were to align correctly and I know of a certain ex-C&O Greenbrier that would make the ideal engine.

The purple line on the map, the Buckingham Branch, ends at Clifton Forge. Here is what you might find there, courtesy of Trackside Photographer:
http://thetracksidephotographer.com/2017/07/06/railroad-town-clifton-forge-virginia/

Only government would pay this amount of money for a rail line. At 16.4 million per mile, is it GOLD PLATED?

No not gold plated but land priced at the going urban rate.

How much would new lanes cost? How much would a new highway cost, especially in this area?

Could well represent a whole new opportunity?? Time will tell.

Ross Rowland

I don't see that it ever explicitly states how much the Clifton Forge EX BB rr purchase price is, only the aggregate of the pay to CSX which is likely predominantly for the DC -Richmond line. Then to a much lesser price per mile for the BB then the abandoned line to NC.

The WAS-Richmond line should be electrified to support that frequency of service. If that's not feasible, Amtrak should equip the through trains with dual-mode motors, saving the 30 minutes for an engine change at WAS.

Phil Mulligan

No not gold plated but land priced at the going urban rate.[/quote]

How much would new lanes cost? How much would a new highway cost, especially in this area?[/quote]

Yes, this may be true.

But, how many BILLIONS on top of this purchase will Amtrak/Government spend to upgrade this line.

Look at the price they paid for the Michigan line and what has been spent to upgrade to 110 mile per hour travel speed.

I am not saying it is not needed in that area. Many of our roads and interstates are overloaded. I just think it is an overpriced purchased.

Also on land values; Recent CSX lines sales have NOT included the underlaying land, any other real estate or rights to under ground cabling or air rights above the track.

From the OP article.

$12 billion.

Wesley

I dunno, but the Transportation Research Board released a report earlier this year that says $45 to $70 Billion will have to be spent each year over the next 20 years just to rebuild the Interstate Highway System. Link -
TRB Special Report 329: Renewing the National Commitment to the Interstate Highway System: A Foundation for the Future

I'm a western railfan, so I can't really comment on the CSX situation with much knowledge... but what's not to say opportunities might open up on CSX itself particularly for mainline steam? The CSX support behind Kentucky Steam feels foreshadowing that once they finish their restoration projects, CSX will be a welcome host to their locomotives. Not to mention CSX's recent uptick of donating repainted locomotives to museums.

A point to remember is CSX's RF&P sub has had cab signals since steam days. Add that to PTC, then whatever leads a train there will need both systems. With the proposed frequency of service track space will also be hard to get.

The Buckingham Branch may be a different story but with Comm. of VA ownership, VA may want state-of-the-art signaling there, too.

Phil Mulligan