I would bet a goodly number of those NS auto trains use what I call the Hwy 78 line (im sure you'll have the correct nomenclature)...Im guessing from Greer to Columbia to CHS...
I would say Yes...These consists are very long...I've only seen them on the A-Line that basically tracks Hwy 52 out of CHS towards Florence...
Yes, you are correct. NS calls its Charleston <=> Columbia line the "SC" line and it's Columbia <=> Spartanburg line the "W" line. At Spartanburg (more properly at Beaumont just north of Spartanburg), the trains enter the former SOU mainline to access Greer.
Just a heads up NCHS83 that Norfolk Southern's Penn Central Heritage Unit arrived in Charleston, SC leading 238 this afternoon (Saturday, 09/07/2019). You may be able to find it; I missed it when it passed through Columbia this morning. Hard to say whether it'll return on tomorrow's 237 or hang around running locals for a few days.
Wow! I had no idea it was in town...Where is it? I have to work tomorrow... Is the 237 the run back up the SC Line?
I don't know Charleston well, but it's probably in NS's Seven Mile Yard. You might try a drive over the East Montague Avenue overpass and see if you can spot it. Yes, 237 is the Charleston – Columbia - Spartanburg - Greer - Atlanta train. I hope you can find the PC! Being black and white, the PC unit tends to blend in with other NS power.
I'm going tomorrow for a look see! Hopefully she'll still be there...FWIW, nothing in the paper about the train...
I just found that the PC unit has departed Charleston heading west today (Sunday, 09/08/2019) with empty rock train 63R. The train was at Ashely Phosphate at about noontime. I might try to see if I can find it in Columbia this afternoon. I'm not sure if it'll stop or pass right on through on its way to Union/Pacolet on the W Line where Vulcan's quarry is. It might be leading, but running long end first. I hope they keep it in rock service, as you and I might then get a second shot at seeing it this week. This isn't newsworthy enough to appear in the paper. Readers would never understand.
Yay -- I caught up with her in Columbia this afternoon! They must have turned her in Charleston, as she's running in proper style. Train 63R made only a brief pause in Columbia before moving on. Here she is diverging onto the W Line. The 1073 is looking a bit battered, a trait evident in some other Heritage Units. I can't complain though -- they're all beautiful in my eyes. I'll try to keep current on her location and let you know if she's headed to Charleston again. If she stays in rock service, odds are good she'll assist with the next one in your direction.
The 1073 arrived back in Columbia this morning in the wee hours, but I have no idea where she's headed next. I'll keep my eyes out ….
Thank you. Upon seeing the PC's black and white paint, a friend commented that NS didn't need to reach very far into its paint cabinet.
The PC was out hotrodding around Columbia this afternoon (Wed, 09/11/2019). Must be testing out that new DCC decoder with sound.
Okay NCHS83, NS 1073 (the PC) will arrive in Charleston this afternoon (Fri., 09/13/2019) on rock train 62R. I hope you can locate it!
NCHS83, the PC left Charleston on 237 in the wee hours of this morning (Sat, 09/14/19), passed through Columbia at 7:30 AM and was past Jonesville at 10:30 AM. If she stays on the train, she's destined for Atlanta and could head anywhere thereafter.
