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).
                                      

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.

Railfanning in Keen and Crawford, Nassau County, Florida

CSX Northbound manifest enters the Crawford Road grade crossing north of the Crawford diamond toward Callahan, Florida

Northbound NS manifest pulls onto the Macon-Jacksonville line and crosses the Crawford diamond headed toward Valdosta and Macon, Georgia

NS southbound combo intermodal/auto carrier races across the Crawford diamond toward Jacksonville, Florida. A semi tractor trailer crosses the US 301 viaduct (built 1932) in the background.

A NS southbound intermodal speeds across the Thomas Creek Road/Ratliff Road grade crossing in Keen, Nassau County, Florida, headed for Jacksonville. Keen was founded in 1900 as a timber stop on the Georgia Southern and Florida's Valdosta to Jacksonville line. it was named for James Mitchel Keen who owned most of timber land in the area.

Some say Friday the 13th is an unlucky day, but as a rail fan today was truly a lucky day. I was on my way to my dad's place with no plans to rail fan. As I crossed the Norfolk Southern's Ratliff Road/Thomas Creek Road grade crossing in Keen, Nassau County,Florida, I spotted a Southbound NS train fast approaching. (This section of the Norfolk Southern rail network was at one time known as the Georgia Southern and Florida Railroad that ran from Macon to Valdosta, Georgia, then branched off into two lines running into Florida, one to Palatka {built 1890} and this one to Jacksonville {built 1900}). I pulled off the road just in time to snap a picture of the long inter modal racing toward Jacksonville. I turned my truck around and headed north on Thomas Creek Road toward Crawford, passing a Northbound NS manifest train waiting patiently on the Crawford siding. I figure I could snap a picture of it as it crossed the Crawford diamond on its way north to Valdosta and Macon, Georgia. I crossed US 301, turned west onto Crawford Road, sped across the CSX Callahan-Baldwin line and stopped a minute later at the NS Woods Lane grade crossing. (Woods Lane is part of the old Baldwin Road that was the main road from Callahan to Baldwin before US 301 was built in the 1930s). As I parked my truck, I was expecting the NB manifest to be slowly chugging under the US 301 viaduct and pulling onto the main line. Instead to my surprise I saw the SB signal still on green, meaning there was another Southbound NS train holding up the Northbound manifest. Sure enough another Southbound NS combination inter modal/auto carrier came racing across Woods Lane and through the diamond. Loud banging sounds echoed through the nearby pine trees as each truck hit the guide rails of the crossing. Finally after about 15 minutes the Northbound manifest slowly entered the main NS line just east of the CSX line. I could feel the power of the engines as it gained speed through the diamond, pulling Herzog gondolas and tanker cars. Thinking my railfaning was over, I turned around and recrossed the CSX line. As I glanced both ways, I spotted a Northbound CSX train on the south side of the Crawford diamond. I could tell by the smoke rising from the engines it was gaining speed and approaching the Crawford Road crossing fast. By the time I stepped out of my truck, the crossing signals had begun flashing. I was able to capture a pic of a short CSX manifest train heading north toward Callahan and the main line out of Florida. Within an hour I was able to capture pictures of 4 trains as they raced through the old logging villages of Crawford and Keen, Florida. Looks like Fridays are hot days to rail fan in Nassau County, Florida.