Final Afternoon at the Convention: Railfanning Anyone

The Asheville to Salisbury is an old Southern Railroad Route ( S Line) through the Appalachian Mountains.  There are amazing loops at the south end near Old Fort .  Lela and I decided to seek out this bit of Railfan paradise on our final day.  During the 3 hours we were there we were lucky enough to find an excellent photo location thanks to a local old timer who was out for a hike.  We followed this gravel road up the mountain side until we reached a crossing.  Parked the car and were overwhelmed by the beauty of this location.  You can see the complete route by going to this site. 

http://www.frograil.com/tours/ns/S-Line.htm

It is also worth googling the map of Old Fort and look North of town near Mill Creak Road.  The loops are impressive.

The upper curve shown hear is a fill that extends out from the side of the mountain.  It used to be a trestle.

 The curves are super-elevated and the radius is tight making for lots of squealing flanges.  This train was heading downgrade (eastbound) with empty wood chip cars and you could hear it coming from all directions in this great pass.

 After the train passed us it disappeared into another loop and reappeared below us.  It had descended about 200 feet.  The grades are really something.

 A different perspective of the same shot.  I like to crop my photos to create length in train shots and focus on the subject



The Next Westbound mixed freight must have been in the passing siding at Old Fort.  Thundering upgrade this train was interesting with a UP on the front end.

 Here it is emerging from the cut at the crossing.  There is a tunnel inside this curve but I did not go near it as the clearance from track to the cut walls was narrow.  Not to mention I do not do railroad trespassing.