CSX Transportation Historical Society

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NS - AGS North District, 10-05-2015

Rail Fan Adventure --

After spending the night in Fort Payne AL, on our way home from the L&NHS Convention in Birmingham, I glanced at the “Alabama Rail Map” that was handed out at the convention. The map was circa 2008 (still listed the Birmingham Terminal Ry. as the Birmingham Southern). On the back were photos of various historic tunnels and restored depots in the state. Fort Payne had a beautiful cut stone depot! We had to investigate.

1. Southern Depot. Fort Payne AL.
Southern Depot. Fort Payne AL.

2. Looking north toward Chattanooga. Southern Depot. Fort Payne AL. View 2.
Looking north toward Chattanooga. Southern Depot. Fort Payne AL. View 2.

3. Southern Depot. Fort Payne AL. View 3.
Southern Depot. Fort Payne AL. View 3.

4. Southern Depot. Fort Payne AL. View 4.
Southern Depot. Fort Payne AL. View 4.

5. Historical marker. Fort Payne AL.
Historical marker. Fort Payne AL.

6. Southern depot. Fort Payne AL. View 5.
Southern depot. Fort Payne AL. View 5.

7. Southern caboose X246 was built in 1972. Fort Payne AL.
Southern caboose X246 was built in 1972. Fort Payne AL.

8. NS 7296-9186-1144 head s/b coal train 710-03 (Carbo VA to Birmingham). 710 has 88 loads that originated at Superior WV (True Energy Coal Sales) and Gary (Midvol Coal Sales) for ABC Coke Division of Drummond Corp. at Tarrant AL. These were system tubs and hoppers. Fort Payne AL.
NS 7296-9186-1144 head s/b coal train 710-03 (Carbo VA to Birmingham). 710 has 88 loads that originated at Superior WV (True Energy Coal Sales) and Gary (Midvol Coal Sales) for ABC Coke Division of Drummond Corp. at Tarrant AL. These were system tubs and hoppers. Fort Payne AL.

9. NS freight 164-05 (Birmingham to Chattanooga) pulled into the long siding for a meet with a 10,000-foot long intermodal train that had not left Chattanooga yet. Wow! The New York Central Heritage” engine! The crew was not thrilled when the dispatcher told them they would be there for a while. NS 1066-9867. Fort Payne AL.
NS freight 164-05 (Birmingham to Chattanooga) pulled into the long siding for a meet with a 10,000-foot long intermodal train that had not left Chattanooga yet. Wow! The New York Central Heritage” engine! The crew was not thrilled when the dispatcher told them they would be there for a while. NS 1066-9867. Fort Payne AL.

10. NS SD70ACe 1066. Fort Payne AL.
NS SD70ACe 1066. Fort Payne AL.

11. NS SD70ACe 1066. Fort Payne AL. View 2.
NS SD70ACe 1066. Fort Payne AL. View 2.

12. NS SD70ACe 1066. Fort Payne AL. View 3.
NS SD70ACe 1066. Fort Payne AL. View 3.

13. NS 1066-9867. Fort Payne AL. No. 164 has 87 loads and 26 empties.
NS 1066-9867. Fort Payne AL. No. 164 has 87 loads and 26 empties.

14. NS 1066-9867 Fort Payne AL. View 2.
NS 1066-9867 Fort Payne AL. View 2.

15. We had to head for home, but I pulled off the I-59 several miles toward Chattanooga to catch one of the three southbounds that 164 was waiting on at Fort Payne. We parked in the shade, and after a short time freight 129-04 (Chattanooga to Birmingham) charged by. BNSF 5423-NS 6911-6670-9084 was in command of 48 loads and 63 empties at Rising Fawn GA.
We had to head for home, but I pulled off the I-59 several miles toward Chattanooga to catch one of the three southbounds that 164 was waiting on at Fort Payne. We parked in the shade, and after a short time freight 129-04 (Chattanooga to Birmingham) charged by. BNSF 5423-NS 6911-6670-9084 was in command of 48 loads and 63 empties at Rising Fawn GA.

16. BNSF 5423-6911-6670-9084. Rising Fawn GA. View 2.
BNSF 5423-6911-6670-9084. Rising Fawn GA. View 2.

From Rising Fawn, we headed home.

Train images used by permission of Everett N Young