The CSX Charleston Subdivision is a 181 mile segment of the A-Line between Hardeeville, SC and Florence, SC. This line is host to hotshot freights, locals, and everything in between, including multiple Amtrak services. The locomotives that could be included are: CSX AC44CW, CM44AC(rebuilt AC44), SD70MAC(flared and non-flared radiator), SD40-3, SD40-2, GP38-3, GP38-2, GP40-2, GP40-3, C40-8W, and various foreign power. The rolling stock that could be included are: Covered Hopper, Autoracks, Tankers, Coal Hoppers, Boxcars, Hi-Cube and regular, Gondolas, and intermodal and piggyback cars. This line could also include the Norfolk Southern yard with some of NS’ trackage, and the joint trackage between NS and CSX down to the Port of Charleston, with the various industries towards that area. The sole industry is Kinder-Morgan with a daily local serving them and the interchange with Palmetto Railways under the symbols L-627 and L-628. NS also runs a local from time to time utilizing Dash 9-40CWs and GP38 mother slug sets. Palmetto Railways rosters a GP16 occasionally seen out of the shop, an SW1001, and a caboose that usually dwells inside the shop. NS also runs Autorack trains between here and Greer, SC from the BMW plant, to Charleston, SC for export over seas. These moves could be included as an AI train, or as a playable service. The power usually consists of GE GEVOs, AC44C6Ms, SD70ACE, and SD70ACCs. These are lashed up in pairs of twos, but it is common to run with one leading and a DPU in the middle. There is also foreign power from time to time. These trains cross the CSX Charleston Subdivision towards NS’ yard. The yard is also home to a Intermodal facility with trains from here to Greer, Atlanta, GA, and other points west. There are 4 Amtrak stations along the way at Yemassee, SC, Charleston, SC, Kingstree, SC, and Florence if I recall correctly. The services are the Silver Meteor between New York and Miami, Auto Train(no service), and the Amtrak Palmetto between Savannah, GA and New York. Florence is also the primary crew change point for the Auto Train. CSX runs multiple trains like I032 and I031, M409 and M410, M401, M400, and many other trains. Another addition to the power are the CSX Heritage Units and NS Heritage units also. Thanks for taking the time to read this as it is an earful. Feel free to add on anything you want that I may have missed or take anything away. I will add photos later as it is getting late here in SC. Thanks again
I also forgot to add the one or two drawbridges. The Ashley River Bridge spans the Ashley River, and iirc the other one is the Ashepoo Drawbridge across the Ashepoo River. On the CSX Charleston Sub, there is a connection to the CSX Andrews Sub which could include some of its line in Charleston, but is not required as it is a different line. The Andrews sub also serves the Navy Base which could be included also. There is a yard in Florence that is pretty big. There is also a yard in Charleston called Bennet Yard that spans at least half a mile. Most through freights don’t stop here, but enough freights do for it to continue being a yard. There is also CSX’ intermodal facility past the Interstate Bridge. I do know that I038 and I037 stop here on the way to Charlotte from Jacksonville and vice versa. There is also another line that could be included that is another joint trackage with CSX, NS, and Palmetto Railways. Towards Monks Corner, there is an Aluminum Plant that could also be included. There is also another company with a small Ex-KCS switcher. Then there is Sanders Brothers. They have a plant that is served by CSX. This has a direct connection to the A-Line. Sanders Bros has rocks either brought in or taken away by CSX. They also have a small SW type switcher. I will post the photos in a separate post. Thanks again for reading and feel free to voice your opinions.
SD70MAC(flared) CSX ES40DC Amtrak P42 formerly used on Palmetto, used on Silver Meteor usually Palmetto Railways switcher, they have 2 or 3 of these. Palmetto Railways GP16, they have 3 iirc.
Another update: CSX M400 now originates at Florence, SC. M401 terminates at Florence also. M493 and M494 have been introduced from Waycross, GA to Charleston to assist M492 and M491.
