CSX Callahan Sub Double-Track Update: Crawford Now has a Double-Diamond with NS, Train Stacking North of Baldwin Yard

It is hard to believe that I haven't written in this blog since December but I have a couple of updates on CSX's double tracking of the 20-mile long Callahan Sub from the main A-line in Callahan south to the Baldwin yard. To refresh, CSX sold their rail line in Orlando to the State of Florida for a commuter rail service called Sunrail. Sunrail has since opened (road trip!) meaning a great deal of CSX's Florida-bound trains are being diverted from their main A-line in Callahan (MM A624.2) onto the Callahan Sub (SM 20.0) so they can take the S-line that parallels US 301 to the Zephyrhills split where they travel on to Orlando, Tampa, or Miami. To meet the higher volume of train traffic, CSX began in February 2013 double-tracking the 20 mile sub to the Baldwin yard where it picks up the S-line. 16 months later- 3 of the 4 segments  have been completed and open to rail traffic. The leaves the final link ti be completed:  a 4-mile section from the south turnout of the newly extended South Crawford-Dahoma siding to the north end of the Fouraker siding (SM 4.0)south of Bryceville, Nassau County, FLA.

Thee first three pics are southbound trains passing each other as they jockey for position to enter the Baldwin yard at SM 0.0. The crossing of the Baldwin-Jax Rail Trail (SM 1.8) is a good spot to rail fain because the trail head is close by but don't leave any valuables visible in your vehicle and always be mindful of cyclists on the trail.

 

A south bound auto-carrier train sneaks past a parked mixed manifest train (SM 2.0) on its way to the Baldwin yard. 

Mist and Rain from a Memorial-Day thunder shower begin to move in on once was a hot May day in Baldwin.

 The Baldwin-jax rail trail crossing is a nice venue for slow trains entering the leaving Baldwin yard.

 The CSX-NS crossing at Crawford (SM 16.46) is now double and are guarded by state-of-the-art darth-vader shield track signals. The old diamond has been discarded and the southern switch of the South Crawford sidling has been abandoned. The nearest cross overs are the newly added ones north at Sandy Ford (+/-SM 18.2) and south at Dahoma (+/-SM 11.0). I waited for a train but after 30-minutes I had to leave. I will catch one in the near future.

 Looking north east at the new CSX-NS Crawford double-diamond with the new US 301 viaduct nearing completion in the upper right corner background. The old diamond is sitting beside the NS track (MM 244.4) just east of the new diamond. The new NS track signal is in place with an accompanying track side stating "Begin 261-End 271". With the MM being 244.4, I can only guess that this means changing of dispatch channels or maybe changing dispatch zones.

 Looking north (above) past the Crawford Road grade crossing (SM 16.1) toward Callahan 4.5 miles away. There is a 60+ foot change in elevation between Crawford (84') and Callahan (22'). Looking south and the remnant of the north turnout of the South Crawford siding (SM 46.3) and the turnout to the busy Mulch Plant (SM 16.1).