CSX "A" Line...

Sounds like a question you should forward to CSX.

Could be the cost?  Or permits?

interesting question.

In short: $$$$

Single tracking the A line was as stupid and short sided a decision as was single tracking the ex-Southern (not to mention ripping up the S line south of Colier Yard, VA).

The former RF&P was bottle necked today again, too many trains for the two track long Bridge, CSX, Amtrax,and the VRE. they keep on talking about how bad it is but there is no infrastructe money coming from DC.

The problems on the RF&P today could be the ripple effect caused by a derailment in Hamlet, NC and yesterdays NB Auto Train hitting a car in Jarrat, VA. All kinds of re-routes and changes in schedules being felt today.

BNSF and UP rebuild/add double track right and left.  CSX shouldn't have any problems doing so.  Especially the A-Line with its nice wide ROW.  Maybe the S-Line will return as a high speed passenger/intermodal route.

Fellows......educate me.....time and time again my train from Richmond to DC is delayed by whatever.....I understand it would be a huge cost to put in a 3rd line ( the cost of rebuilding bridges and grade crossings would likely be enormous). However, wouldn't the addition of more passing tracks help things between Richmond and DC.........or, would it just pile up more trains at the bottlenecks?

Peter

I thought CSX had a grand plan to Triple track the entire A-line from Va to Fl but I think the catch was to put the taxpayer to be the one to foot the bill for it all.

How much of the Washington-Richmond line is single tracked?

Also the problems in DC aren't limited to just the Long Bridge.  You also have limited space on the DC side of the bridge.  There has been talk about upgrading that but it is running into strong opposition from DC neighbors.

Nothing between Richmond and Washington is single tracked.  The last single track section, a bridge north of Quantico was double-tracked (new bridge) a few years ago.

The DC uproar over the Virginia Ave Tunnel is silly.  The railroad was there way before any of them.  You can't move next to a nuisance and then complain.

And even then...the nuisance isn't real.  The finished product will be safer and better for the surroundings.  CSX proposed a nice park over the new tunnel.  The type of trains will be no different than already there now...except double stacked.  Plus less trucks on the HWY is safer for people driving.

If they want CSX to reroute around DC then they need to pay the bill...Im sure CSX would go along with that.

At one time, back in the mid to late 80s, I believe, there was talk from CSX about letting them abandon this and that and this and that and they would (with help from the affected states) triple track the "Goat Line" but would need help from the states...one abandoned section was the "Burgess Cutoff" which, if in place today, would help solve the backlog and would probably be in place if the taxpayers funded it.