09-03-2011, 09:04 PM
Larry;
That photo of the track and ROW really doesn't begin to show just how bad that branch is. But it was about the same back when it was L&N and later CSX. The only time any maintenance was/is ever done is when a car derails, then they'll just replace a few ties, hand tamp it and that was it. Per the conductor, the Macro Plastics plant is "supposed" to increase their business and Corman is "supposed" to do some much needed upgrades to the track. But we shall see. You know how the rumor mill is.
At one time, there were several industries that received/shipped rail service on that branch, tobacco warehouses that shipped out from early November until the end of January every year. A facility that received aluminum ingots in box cars, a large lumber dealer and a fairly large farm service facility at the end of the spur, along with a few odds and ends customers. All the tobacco business is gone and their tracks have been removed, other facilities have closed down or changed ownership several times. The lumber dealer (currently Pro-Build but originally 84 Lumber) does not receive anything by rail and Crop Production Services infrequently receives covered hoppers of fertilizer. That leaves the Macro Plastics plant as the main customer and they currently get switched about 3 times a week.
The branch which originally ran from Shelbyville to Bloomfield, KY, was cut back to its present length in the late 40's and was constructed to minimal standards. Since being cut back to simply an industrial branch, it's always been operated in push-pull fashion with the engine in the middle of the train if there were cars for industries with both trailing/facing spurs. I suppose if you back dated the branch to the 70's, it might make for an interesting model railroad line. Especially with the gated crossing of NS (SOU).
If you're interested, you can follow the entire branch on Bing maps: http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=qc2phc7...orm=LMLTCC. Starting at Bloomfield Junction on the map, follow the branch to the southeast and on to the end of the branch. You can still see the location of many of the tobacco warehouse spurs along with where others were/are located. These views show 6 pellet cars spotted at Macro Plastics and a couple of covered hoppers at Crop Production Services at the end of the spur.
That photo of the track and ROW really doesn't begin to show just how bad that branch is. But it was about the same back when it was L&N and later CSX. The only time any maintenance was/is ever done is when a car derails, then they'll just replace a few ties, hand tamp it and that was it. Per the conductor, the Macro Plastics plant is "supposed" to increase their business and Corman is "supposed" to do some much needed upgrades to the track. But we shall see. You know how the rumor mill is.
At one time, there were several industries that received/shipped rail service on that branch, tobacco warehouses that shipped out from early November until the end of January every year. A facility that received aluminum ingots in box cars, a large lumber dealer and a fairly large farm service facility at the end of the spur, along with a few odds and ends customers. All the tobacco business is gone and their tracks have been removed, other facilities have closed down or changed ownership several times. The lumber dealer (currently Pro-Build but originally 84 Lumber) does not receive anything by rail and Crop Production Services infrequently receives covered hoppers of fertilizer. That leaves the Macro Plastics plant as the main customer and they currently get switched about 3 times a week.
The branch which originally ran from Shelbyville to Bloomfield, KY, was cut back to its present length in the late 40's and was constructed to minimal standards. Since being cut back to simply an industrial branch, it's always been operated in push-pull fashion with the engine in the middle of the train if there were cars for industries with both trailing/facing spurs. I suppose if you back dated the branch to the 70's, it might make for an interesting model railroad line. Especially with the gated crossing of NS (SOU).
If you're interested, you can follow the entire branch on Bing maps: http://www.bing.com/maps/?v=2&cp=qc2phc7...orm=LMLTCC. Starting at Bloomfield Junction on the map, follow the branch to the southeast and on to the end of the branch. You can still see the location of many of the tobacco warehouse spurs along with where others were/are located. These views show 6 pellet cars spotted at Macro Plastics and a couple of covered hoppers at Crop Production Services at the end of the spur.
Ed
"Friends don't let friends build Timesavers"
"Friends don't let friends build Timesavers"