Double tracking continues on CSX's Callahan-Baldwin Sub

Looks like they are adding a cross-over at around mm 17.5 of the Callahan-Baldwin sub.  They have already reopened a now 4-track CR 108 grade crossing in Callahan at mm 20 at the point where it joins the CSX main line. A new over signal and a new tower signal (background) will guide trains through the junction and these crossovers. These shots are looking northbound toward Callahan from Sandy Ford Road grade crossing which is around mm 17.5 of the 20 mile long section from Callahan to Baldwin.

New signal upgrades for NS and CSX at Crawford Diamond

Both Norfolk Southern (NS) and CSX are getting darth vader signal upgrades at the Crawford Diamond 4 miles south of Callahan. This will help guard the soon-to-be busier crossing once CSX double tracks the line from Callahan to the north to the Crawford siding to the south. The new NS signal pictured in the foreground above and the CSX signal just beyond the metal control box in the background will soon direct the southbound trains for both railroads through the diamond.

 

 
A new darth vader signal for northbound NS (old Georgia Southern and Florida, GS&F) trains stands covered beside the concrete pilings for the new US 301 4-lane bridge. The new signal is located at the switch to the nearly 3-mile long Norris* siding, a major waiting point for NS trains entering their Simpson yard in Jacksonville. It is unclear what is to become of NS's overhead signals located just beyond the old two-lane viaduct.  It may still be used to control traffic of trains approaching the diamond or just entering the main from the siding. There is also a small 3rd track that measures about 1000 feet just to the east of the overhead signals that is served by a ground-level signal. Once the new bridge is built, the old viaduct will be dismantled. The 200+ feet of concrete railing seen on the bridge will be removed and reset at the historic Callahan Train Depot. 
* I have no idea where the name Norris comes from but I will investigate.

Looking south down the CSX Callahan-Baldwin sub from the Crawford diamond, a new signal awaits activation at the north end of Crawford Siding. A southbound CSX train waits in the background for a NB train to come up from Baldwin. Soon this siding will become part of the double track that will stretch from Callahan to hear in preparation of the funneling of more trains off the CSX A-line from  Jax to Orlando that parallels US 17 to their S-line that runs parallel to US 301 form Callahan to Zephyrhills. This is partly in response to the State's purchase and conversion of CSX's line that runs through metro Orlando for a commuter line. The spur pictured above that veers off the main line runs to a large mulch manufacturing plant. There also was a spur that ran off the siding to the right side of the photo that once served a large saw mill.  Looks like there is a ground level signal at this siding as well.

Amelia Island Trail to open May 11

The Amelia Island Trail (AIT) will officially open on Saturday, May 11, at 8:30 AM at the north trail head at Peters Point. The 6.2 mile long paved pathway parallels SR A1A from the southern tip of Amelia Island to Peters Point.  Phil Scanlan, Mike Pikula, and others have been working for years with FDOT and other groups to see the bike trail to fruition. $3.2 million in funds to cover the cost of construction were provided by the North Florida Transportation Planning Office. The AIT will link with the newly open trail on Big and Little Talbot Islands to the south and tie into Eagan's Creek Greenway and pathways to American Beach and Fort Clinch. Various neighborhood schools and the local YNCA will also have links to this primary artery. The AIT is also an important segment in the larger East Coast Greenway that when completed will run 3,000 miles from Canada to Key West.  Mike and Phil and others have formed the nonprofit Friends of the Amelia Island Trail to help maintain and raise awareness to this new addition to biking in Nassau County.

The primary source for this info is from the Fernandina Beach News Leader.
http://www.fbnewsleader.com/articles/2013/03/21/around_town/00attrailtoopen.txt

For more info on the AIT go to
http://www.ameliaislandtrail.org/. 

New overhead signals added to callahan junction

Looking northbound at the CSX's main line at Callahan Junction. the Callahan-Baldwin is in the background. The existing signal is giving a green light to a north bound amtrak that came barrelling by from Jacksonville a few minutes after this picture is taken.

Soon the overhead signals will be activated to guard this major junction in CSX's system.

 

 

Looking south down the Callahan- Baldwin Sub (MM 20) at  a northbound manifest train waiting patiently for a northbound amtrak to clear the juntion.  Soon an overhead signal will replace the antiquated one standing in front of it.  The grade increases around where the locomotive is sitting from about 22 feet in Callahan to 60 feet at the Sandy Ford Road grade crossing (mm18) to about 80 at the Crawford diamond (m m15.9)

 

 

As part of the major upgrade to the Callahan- Baldwin sub, CSX is adding overhead signals to go along with the double tracking of the turnout to Baldwin. The CR 108 River Road grade crossing is in its 3rd week of being closed so CSX can add a second track on the Callahan-Baldwin sub.  The addition will allow more freight trains coming into Florida to take the S-line which parallels US 301 to Orlando, Tampa, and Miami.  CSX has sold its track on its A-line from Sanford to Kissimmee to the State of Florida so the Sun-rail commuter line can be built.

CSX continues improvements of Callahan-Baldwin sub turnout at Callahan Junction

Looking south at the Baldwin-Callahan sub from the CR 108 grade crossing in Callahan

 

CSX will keep the CR 108-River Road grade crossing closed for at least a 3rd week as they continue to double track the turnout off the main line into Florida in Callahan. They have added a second track which seems to be a construction track for their track laying equipment.  Looks like they are added an over head track signal for north bound trains on the main line entering this junction.  I will try to take pics of that as they progress.

CSX widens Callahan-Baldwin sub for double track

 

 

CSX is busy clearing land for a second track from Milepost 20 (at the junction with the main line in Callahan) to Milepost 15.6 (just southwest of the Norfolk Southern diamond) Crawford. If you look close enough you can see the new southbound signal in the distance.There wasn't one there before.  This project is because more CSX trains entering Florida will have to take the Callahan-Baldwin sub in order to bypass Orlando. The State of Florida has purchased CSX's tracks through the town that Mickey build so they can run the Sun Rail commuter transit line from Sanford to Kissimmee.

Work on Callahan Junction CSX's turnout to Baldwin at full speed

 

I took a short cut today and crossed the CSX main line in Callahan at the Brandies Ave/ CR 108 grade crossing. CSX is busy straightening out the sharp turnout to Baldwin and they will double track the turnout as well. These improvements are because more CSX trains will be making the curve from the main line to the Baldwin-Callahan sub in order to bypass restrictions on the now State-owned tracks that run through Orlando. More pics of the major improvements to come this weekend.

 

Looking south down the Baldwin-Callahan sub at Milepost 20 which is at the junction of the main line. They have cleared a large swathe of land from here to the Crawford siding (Milepost 15.8) to make room for two tracks.  Once finished, this turnout will be able to handle more train traffic at higher speeds. 

Looking north at Milepost 20 where the Baldwin-Callahan sub joins the CSX main line.  The switch will begin further north at the Alligator Creek trestle.