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Saluda Grade

The Saluda Grade is the steepest standard-gauge mainline railway in the USA and opened in July 1878. The three mile railway grade ranged from 3.7%- 4.7%.

The railway line was constructed to connect Spartanburg, South Carolina, Asheville and North Carolina through the Blue Ridge Mountains. It has been out of service since 2001.

Since 2001 the vibrant green vegetation around the railway has started to rapidly grow over the tracks and in some sections completely engulfed the railway. Beneath some of the railway it has been heavily eroded, which has caused many railway ties to become detached from the railway lines.

 

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Uploaded on May 30, 2015
Taken on May 29, 2015