From the TRAINS Newswire: Norfolk Southern may be taking steps to abandon Saluda line SALUDA, N.C. – Although Norfolk Southern has neither confirmed nor denied the report, it may soon pull up a section of its Saluda Grade main line that runs through the grade’s namesake city, along with grade-crossing gates at Greenville Street, within the next two weeks. On March 27, NS took out of service a section between milepost W-26 and milepost W-45. According to information given to employees, earthen mounds have been created just east of milepost W-26 and just west of milepost W-45. The town of Saluda is at milepost W-32. Norfolk Southern halted regular freight traffic last year over Saluda Grade, but said it would maintain the line for potential future use. The famed grade is part of the former Southern Railway between Spartanburg, S.C., and Asheville, N.C. The grade itself encompasses three miles between Saluda and Melrose, N.C. (milepost W-35). The vertical difference, however, is 600-plus feet, and at one point Saluda reaches a 5.03 percent adverse gradient, making it the steepest mainline grade in the U.S. Because the line was in use within the past two years, NS would have to formally file for abandonment with North Carolina's Board of Transportation. That's not occurred yet.
One by one, the great railfanning spots, or their railroads, seem to fall. Guess I'll have to treasure my one train order copied at Saluda all the more! It seems to me, that I've heard that line being out of service previously. Then they'd need to put it back into use again. What if they pull up rails this time, and need it again........... Boxcab E50
