Nashville to Atlanta line

[nshvlcat]

Amtrak wants to possibly return to Nashville. Interesting article:
https://www.commercialappeal.com/st...e-train-service-state-legislators/4477648002/

 

[the_traveler]

Besides the costs, I see a problem in Atlanta.

Peach Tree is directly on the mainline, and there is nowhere to store the train set.

 

[brianpmcdonnell17]

Besides the costs, I see a problem in Atlanta.

Peach Tree is directly on the mainline, and there is nowhere to store the train set.

With funding they could presumably restore a thousand feet or so of the branch that splits off at the station and use that to store trains. They could probably fit at least two tracks there. The main issue I see with doing so is the station would still be an issue, so it may not make sense to put that much funding into a project which would either permanently leave the inadequate station or become redundant in the near future when a new one is built.

 

[Anthony V]

This will never happen. Don't expect to get a dime out of the Tennessee state legislature for passenger rail funding, in either capital costs or ongoing operating funds. The Volunteer State is just as hostile to passenger rail as Ohio is, despite both states having plenty of population to support a statewide passenger rail network.

 

[west point]

Atlanta can store a train set as it will start doing next week Monday - Thursday for the Crescent train set. Crescent will not operate ATL <>- NOL those days for five weeks due to NS track work. Now depending on both train's schedules a second train set might fit in on the storage siding. It certainly will be an interesting switching problem. That might call for a dedicated switcher crew that would also allow for ATL cut off cars.

The best schedule would for Nashville train leave after southbound Crescent leaves with connecting passengers. Nashville train arrive before Crescent to take passenger north bound. This would give Nashville and all intermediate stations train service to Carolinas and north thru whole NEC.

A further thought. The Crescent could split at Atlanta with a coach(s) and lounge / café going on the Nashville train. Maybe even a sleeper that is really not needed ATL <> NOL.

I can see there being a competition between this proposal and the split off of the Crescent Meridian - Dallas / FtWorth proposals ?

This proposal for Nashville might only require maybe 4 or 8 more coaches as those coaches could fill in the NYP <> ATL demands. Sleepers well who knows ?

 

[PaTrainFan]

Telling quote from the article: "We have to do something to change the Amtrak network. Otherwise we'll just wither away."

Record ridership on how many consecutive years? That's withering away?

 

[brianpmcdonnell17]

Atlanta can store a train set as it will start doing next week Monday - Thursday for the Crescent train set. Crescent will not operate ATL <>- NOL those days for five weeks due to NS track work. Now depending on both train's schedules a second train set might fit in on the storage siding. It certainly will be an interesting switching problem. That might call for a dedicated switcher crew that would also allow for ATL cut off cars.

The best schedule would for Nashville train leave after southbound Crescent leaves with connecting passengers. Nashville train arrive before Crescent to take passenger north bound. This would give Nashville and all intermediate stations train service to Carolinas and north thru whole NEC.

A further thought. The Crescent could split at Atlanta with a coach(s) and lounge / café going on the Nashville train. Maybe even a sleeper that is really not needed ATL <> NOL.

I can see there being a competition between this proposal and the split off of the Crescent Meridian - Dallas / FtWorth proposals ?

This proposal for Nashville might only require maybe 4 or 8 more coaches as those coaches could fill in the NYP <> ATL demands. Sleepers well who knows ?

A Nashville to Atlanta train would be nearly perpendicular to the Crescent, so would be rather roundabout for passengers from the NEC. I think it would make sense to establish a connection, especially considering that the times would work well for a daytime train anyway, but I don't think it would be worth the complications, costs, and the additional time in the schedule necessary for thru-cars.

 

[ParanoidAndroid]

I'll believe it when I see it. When's the last time a new route this long was made? Over the past 15-20 years, to my knowledge, there have only been short extensions near the NEC. I'm not holding my breath.

 

[the_traveler]

If anything, I think an Atlanta-Chattanooga-Nashville train would be best - similar to the HF connecting to the TE.

 

[GaSteve]

Somebody would have to figure out a way to pry $$ out of the cold hands of the highway lobby in Georgia. Hasn't happened before - won't happen now.

 

[AGM.12]

If Amtrak is willing, a big if, why not make the Nashville train a section of the Crescent? If GA and TN don't want to pay, fine.

 

[MikefromCrete]

If Amtrak is willing, a big if, why not make the Nashville train a section of the Crescent? If GA and TN don't want to pay, fine.

Somebody's got to pay for it. I don't see Amtrak setting up any long distance trains on its own dime. A stand alone train (or trains) makes more sense than tying the service to a long distance connection that may be hours late.

 

[GaSteve]

If Amtrak is willing, a big if, why not make the Nashville train a section of the Crescent? If GA and TN don't want to pay, fine.

How do you get the Crescent to Nashville without going through GA and/or TN?

 

[Palmland]

This won't happen unless TN and GA get involved with GA being the key. A new Atlanta stations must come first. But the biggest problem is the geography. The fastest schedule ever operated was about 6 hours for the 285 miles. That's not highway competitive and you can't move mountains without massive investment. More likely are short commuter type runs from both cities into the distant suburbs or maybe Murfreesboro from Nashville and Cartersville from Atlanta.

Now Nashville to Memphis is certainly feasible with good potential stations at both ends and relatively flat for the 225 miles. I suspect rail traffic on CSX is less than on the Atlanta route. Tennessee would no doubt be more interested in paying for an intrastate service than one going to Atlanta. It could of course connect to the CONO.

 

[nshvlcat]

Amtrak wants to possibly return to Nashville. Interesting article:
https://www.commercialappeal.com/st...e-train-service-state-legislators/4477648002/

Here is an additional article from Nashville's NewsChannel 5:

https://www.newschannel5.com/news/amtrak-pitches-passenger-train-from-nashville-to-atlanta

 

[chakk]

If anything, I think an Atlanta-Chattanooga-Nashville train would be best - similar to the HF connecting to the TE.

And when you hear that whistle blowing eight to the bar, then you'll know that Tennessee won't be very far...

 

[the_traveler]

‘Pardon me boys, is that the Chattanooga Choo Choo?’

 

[Anthony V]

And when you hear that whistle blowing eight to the bar, then you'll know that Tennessee won't be very far...

Good singing voice guys. lol

 

[crescent-zephyr]

More likely are short commuter type runs from both cities into the distant suburbs or maybe Murfreesboro from Nashville and Cartersville from Atlanta.

Would be lovely if the music city star could run to Clarksville, Murfreesboro, etc.

 

[cocojacoby]

‘Pardon me boys, is that the Chattanooga Choo Choo?’

It's "boy" addressed to a black redcap. That song is even more politically incorrect than "Baby It's Cold Outside". I don't think you are going to be hearing much of it anymore.

However since it's such a great song and if the SJWs allow it, it could be easily changed to, "Pardon me, Sir . . . "

 

[drdumont]

A

I can see there being a competition between this proposal and the split off of the Crescent Meridian - Dallas / FtWorth proposals ?

Have I missed something? I thought the Crescent Meridian Dallas proposal died after Katrina, along with the Sunset NOL-JAX.

FWIW, I think that a second section of the Sunset splitting at ELP then going due East through Midlamd, Sweetwater, Abilene, FTW and on to Meridian to meet the Crescent makes a lot of sense.

And I would like to see the Nashville connection as well.

 

[Skyline]

Amtrak wants to possibly return to Nashville. Interesting article:
https://www.commercialappeal.com/st...e-train-service-state-legislators/4477648002/

I see the Commercial Appeal newsroom and editing bays have been dumbed down, like many today have been. They can’t even spell Amtrak consistently in a story about Amtrak. Some places it is correct (Amtrak). Other places it is Amtrack.

 

[crescent-zephyr]

It's "boy" addressed to a black redcap. That song is even more politically incorrect than "Baby It's Cold Outside". I don't think you are going to be hearing much of it anymore.

However since it's such a great song and if the SJWs allow it, it could be easily changed to, "Pardon me, Sir . . . "

You’ve never been to chattanooga I take it? You hear it all.... the.... time.....

I’ve actually heard it in the background music loop at Disney and I’ve heard it performed live at Disney at the piano bars and the orchestra at the grand floridian. Song isn’t going anywhere...

 

[chakk]

It's "boy" addressed to a black redcap. That song is even more politically incorrect than "Baby It's Cold Outside". I don't think you are going to be hearing much of it anymore.

However since it's such a great song and if the SJWs allow it, it could be easily changed to, "Pardon me, Sir . . . "

I think the singer was posing his question to a shoeshine boy, not a redcap.

 

[crescent-zephyr]

I think the singer was posing his question to a shoeshine boy, not a redcap.

“boy you can give me a shine” would seem to indicate that as well.

Btw... it was the first song to receive a gold record!

Chattanooga shoe shine boy is another local favorite... fyi.