A little known historical facet of this line, the AT&O, relates to the civil war. During that conflict, the confederacy desperately needed a direct rail link between Richmond, Va. and Atlanta, Ga. Their best option was a line between Danville, Va. and Greensboro, NC, but track materials were nearly impossible to get. The AT&O, which at that time ran from Charlotte to Taylorsville (the Statesville to Taylorsville part is todays Alexander RR) was claimed by the confederacy, dismantled, and hauled to Greensboro to be relaid as the missing link in the Richmond to Atlanta puzzle! The AT&O was rebuilt after the war, but never reached any of their namesake points! It’s also interesting that to this day, the junction of this line and the NS mainline is called “Atando Jct”, and the neighboring area is referred to as Atando! NS and Charlotte have recently entered into an agreement to allow the city’s passenger rail system to use NS right of way clear to Mooresville. On the Catawba coal train subject, much like the NCDOT passenger trains, there is always a locomotive on the rear from its originating terminal in Shire Oaks, Pa., to Plant Marshall and back to Pa. DP unit? Nope. In the good old days of that coal coming out of Asheville, the Catawba lead would be a straight shot for eastbound coal drags. Coming out of Salisbury, the train has to back into the branch, so they add the rear loco and taxi the crew to the rear end when they arrive at the branch! Ok. I’ll shut up!
Thanks awesome video. Fully enjoyed it. Any video covering North Carolina Rails brings much interest to me especially in areas from Western to central North Carolina, I grew up watching the rails in Eastern North Carolina, but they no longer exist except for the rail that runs into Camp Lejeune, NC and Jacksonville, Stella, New Bern, and Morehead City. Have a good one, my friend.
Hi! Great video! I used to live in Cleveland NC and frequently saw NS running past the mobile home park where we lived. A lot of industry around the area for switching
Very nice young Mr. Brad Jr. ( even though there weren’t any Semi’s in the video) You were close but NO cigars on the Mt. Ulla pronunciation 😅, but hey you still the 👨!
Nice footage, whenever I go down to Winston Salem NC from Galax VA I always like to see what power is sitting in the yard at Winston, sometimes see Yadkin Valley Railroad motors!🛤🚂
Great catches awesome chase and nice video
Thank you!
A little known historical facet of this line, the AT&O, relates to the civil war. During that conflict, the confederacy desperately needed a direct rail link between Richmond, Va. and Atlanta, Ga. Their best option was a line between Danville, Va. and Greensboro, NC, but track materials were nearly impossible to get. The AT&O, which at that time ran from Charlotte to Taylorsville (the Statesville to Taylorsville part is todays Alexander RR) was claimed by the confederacy, dismantled, and hauled to Greensboro to be relaid as the missing link in the Richmond to Atlanta puzzle! The AT&O was rebuilt after the war, but never reached any of their namesake points! It’s also interesting that to this day, the junction of this line and the NS mainline is called “Atando Jct”, and the neighboring area is referred to as Atando! NS and Charlotte have recently entered into an agreement to allow the city’s passenger rail system to use NS right of way clear to Mooresville. On the Catawba coal train subject, much like the NCDOT passenger trains, there is always a locomotive on the rear from its originating terminal in Shire Oaks, Pa., to Plant Marshall and back to Pa. DP unit? Nope. In the good old days of that coal coming out of Asheville, the Catawba lead would be a straight shot for eastbound coal drags. Coming out of Salisbury, the train has to back into the branch, so they add the rear loco and taxi the crew to the rear end when they arrive at the branch! Ok. I’ll shut up!
Thanks awesome video. Fully enjoyed it. Any video covering North Carolina Rails brings much interest to me especially in areas from Western to central North Carolina, I grew up watching the rails in Eastern North Carolina, but they no longer exist except for the rail that runs into Camp Lejeune, NC and Jacksonville, Stella, New Bern, and Morehead City. Have a good one, my friend.
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed. I love to capture this area’s railroads, they may not be around forever… Have a great day!!
Hi! Great video! I used to live in Cleveland NC and frequently saw NS running past the mobile home park where we lived.
A lot of industry around the area for switching
Hello!! Thank you! Yes, lots of business around the area.
Great video 👍
Thank you!
Very nice. Lead unit former SOU as well. Nice to see two Ex SOU units still rollin.
Thank you! It sure is!
Very nice young Mr. Brad Jr. ( even though there weren’t any Semi’s in the video) You were close but NO cigars on the Mt. Ulla pronunciation 😅, but hey you still the 👨!
Thank you! Mt. Ulla is a little tricky!!
Great joob 🚂🔥🫵🏼🐔🥇
Thank you!
Nice footage, whenever I go down to Winston Salem NC from Galax VA I always like to see what power is sitting in the yard at Winston, sometimes see Yadkin Valley Railroad motors!🛤🚂
Thank you! It’s always a surprise.
Good old SD40
Yep! Only the best!
How does that coal train now arrive there? S-line from avl or Salisbury? Are the loops still idle except locals?
The coal trains come in from Salisbury, loops are only locals as of now.
what kind of camera are you using?
I use an iphone 15 pro max and a DJI Mavic Mini for drone shots