Csx North End Subdivision: Richmond, Va To Rocky Mount, Nc (early Csx Era)

I would like to send another route suggestion to all the TSC route devs, particularly High Iron Simulations. The CSX North End Subdivision running 123 miles from Richmond, VA to Rocky Mount, NC set in the early CSX era. The North End Subdivision is a part of CSX's A-Line. Originally owned and operated by the Atlantic Coast Line (hence the nickname), the A-Line runs from Richmond, VA all the way to Tampa, FL. During the ACL days and SCL days, it ran all the way to St. Petersburg, FL.

The North End Subdivision north of the James River was originally part of the Richmond, Fredericksburg, & Potomac Railroad. The route south of the river was built by predecessors of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad.

The earliest segment of the North End Subdivision was built in 1833 by the Petersburg Railroad from Petersburg, VA to Weldon, NC. In 1838, the Richmond & Petersburg Railroad was built from just south of Richmond to Petersburg connecting with the Petersburg Railroad. After the Richmond & Petersburg Railroad was completed, the Richmond & Petersburg Railroad Bridge was built over the James River (which was located just west of the present-day Manchester Bridge). Ruins of this bridge still remain today. In 1840, the Wilmington & Weldon Railroad was built at the southern end of the Petersburg Railroad south to Rocky Mount (which continued to Wilson, NC). The Richmond & Petersburg Railroad, the Petersburg Railroad, and the Wilmington & Weldon Railroad would all become part the main line of the Atlantic Coast Line in 1900.

In 1891, the current track crossing of the James River was built by the Richmond, Fredericksburg, & Potomac Railroad and the Richmond & Petersburg Railroad. Known as the Belt Line, it was built as a freight bypass to the original route. The first bridge over the river on this route was replaced by the current arch bridge in 1919, which was built jointly by the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad and the Richmond, Fredericksburg, & Potomac Railroad. Some of the foundations of the previous bridge remain beside the current structure. The Atlantic Coast Line, the Seaboard Air Line, and the Richmond, Fredericksburg, & Potomac Railroads would all become part of CSX by 1986.

As of today, the CSX North End Subdivision sees plenty of freight traffic, such as manifest, intermodal, coal, grain, and the famous Tropicana Juice Train. Richmond and Rocky Mount also have railyards that play an important role today. Along with freight traffic, it also sees daily service from Amtrak's Palmetto, Silver Meteor, and Silver Star (currently combined with the Capitol Limited as The Floridian). Richmond and Rocky Mount also serve Amtrak as station stops.

CSX used a good variety of power during its early days. I would like to suggest using the GE U30C, GE C30-7, and/or EMD SD40-2 for heavy haul, the GE B30-7, GE B36-7, GE U36B, and/or EMD GP40-2 for high priority trains and general service, and EMD MP15AC and MP15T for switching. Plus, it shall include a variety of freight cars, including the 73' Greenville Woodchip Hoppers. Additionally, it shall include the EMD F40PH and GE P30CH along with Phase III Heritage Fleet passenger cars, MHC cars, and Auto Train autoracks.

In the future, a Seaboard Coast Line Retro Pack, and also a Seaboard System Retro Pack, shall also be made. Maybe including the SD45, SD35, U25C, GP30, GP35, GP40, GP7, GP9, and SW-series. They shall also include a variety of appropriate rolling stock, including the SCL 5700-series caboose.