I had a mental impression this was much less of an operation. More like critters and switchers. Wow, was I wrong. Didn't one of the fan magazines do and article on them, many years ago?
That would be interesting -- I need to check. I lost count of the industrial spurs throughout the line's length and it's a well diversified base including feed mills, an ethanol processor, steel fabrication and others. The L&C opened an industrial park to attract even more customers. One of the feed mills is so large that it routinely takes unit trains off NS onto the L&C. I now see why the L&C has brought in larger road power in recent years. This was another train we saw along the line led by a former SOU high hood geep. … and another led by former NS MP-15DC (and N&PBL) 2369.
Sections of the L&C's main are suitable for slower speeds only and this is one. The western end of the line seems better maintained, as it appears to see most of the traffic. Given the line's recent expansion to the east (they bought a former SOU branch), I'll bet that the portion of main we see in the photo will be brought up to a higher standard. I'm glad that jointed rail remains throughout though. It sounds great and has become a rarity in our era.
Learning if this possible upgrade scenario happens could be good fun. A system map, which also indicates the new branch purchase, I would like to see!
I found a system map and also found I was way incorrect about their "recent" expansion. On the map, it's the line from Catawba Jct. running southeast to Kershaw. They've worked the line since 2001! There's a feed mill at the end of the line in Kershaw and I've attached a photo I took there in April 2014. I don't know what other industries might be on this line. The original L&C is the east/west line. The dotted line is I-77 between Columbia, SC and Charlotte, NC.
Vicksburg, Mississippi. From the back door of the ex NYC Sandy Creek on a trip aboard the AOE from Washington DC to New Orleans in 2007.
818 looks very sinister, kinda like a federal agent about to say; Okay, empty your pockets, put your hands against the wall, and spread your legs.
A line of vintage British Rail Mk 1 coaches parked at Temple Meads Station in Bristol. The Brits are good at taking care of their old trains.
It's a mess for certain. It's owned by Archer Daniels Midland and is former LV SW-8 #268, built 1951. Somewhere in its long life, its dynamics were removed. Yep Kurt, a ring job is definitely in order!
I don't know if I posted this one before, but here's a westbound stack train passing Lonetree, ND's derelict grain elevator, as seen from the broken windows of an abandoned church:
