Why does CSX maintain that odd stub of WM to Chambersburg...that doesn't even go all the way into the town anymore...with a huge intermodal yard near the end. The line seems to have very little business along it. Its essentially a long spur to the intermodal facility. And the track is oddly double with grade separation between the two tracks. I am just not too familiar with this trackage. Any insight would be great.
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Why does CSX maintain that odd stub of WM to Chambersburg...that doesn't even go all the way into the town anymore...with a huge intermodal yard near the end. The line seems to have very little business along it. Its essentially a long spur to the intermodal facility. And the track is oddly double with grade separation between the two tracks. I am just not too familiar with this trackage. Any insight would be great.
Your impressions seem a bit out of date; between 2004-2010, CSX put much resources into modernizing this line, specifically to serve the new intermodal yard. This included: new welded rail, signals, grade xing protection, and trackwork changes along the double track section you mentioned. Much of the double track section section has been realigned or placed OOS. The grade separation was the result of 2 different main lines being built 20 years apart.
Besides the intermodal yard, there is a large industrial park just to the west of the yard, plus a north-facing connection to NS. CSX still serves the industries on the north side of Chambersburg by running NS to Shippensburg, and then reversing on the former Reading connection to Lurgan.
I would encourage you to check out the website: wmwestsub.com, not only will you see updated photos/info about the Lurgan sub, you can learn much about the WM in general.
Thank you for the info and link!!
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