Homecoming
Conductor Bryce Browning has the North Crossover lined at Spruce Pine for CSX train U247-11 to move from the work track back to the main and Mike Callahan has just given the short train of covered hoppers a gouge of encouragement to shove out as evidenced by the ascending cloud of exhaust rising above town. The sun is starting to sink but once again, U247 finds itself in the heat of the action on a very busy Sunday evening on the Blue Ridge Sub. On its way from Flotation to Minpro, the local was dispatched back into the work track to allow an empty hopper train that was running from the law to leap frog it in an attempt to get a jump on the signal suspension through Green Mountain. All for naught, however, as both U247 and the empty hopper would have to yield to southbound M653 at Kona, along with 3 other northbounds at Toe River, Sevier, and Marion.
Those with an eye for history will note that the 8128 began its life on the Clinchfield in August of 1980. Being close to her 44th birthday, she's still looking pretty good, earning her keep making money for CSX, and is right at home plying the rails of the Old Clinchfield South End.
Homecoming
Conductor Bryce Browning has the North Crossover lined at Spruce Pine for CSX train U247-11 to move from the work track back to the main and Mike Callahan has just given the short train of covered hoppers a gouge of encouragement to shove out as evidenced by the ascending cloud of exhaust rising above town. The sun is starting to sink but once again, U247 finds itself in the heat of the action on a very busy Sunday evening on the Blue Ridge Sub. On its way from Flotation to Minpro, the local was dispatched back into the work track to allow an empty hopper train that was running from the law to leap frog it in an attempt to get a jump on the signal suspension through Green Mountain. All for naught, however, as both U247 and the empty hopper would have to yield to southbound M653 at Kona, along with 3 other northbounds at Toe River, Sevier, and Marion.
Those with an eye for history will note that the 8128 began its life on the Clinchfield in August of 1980. Being close to her 44th birthday, she's still looking pretty good, earning her keep making money for CSX, and is right at home plying the rails of the Old Clinchfield South End.