Reply to "CSX Clinchfield Line"

NS has an old line that runs between Portsmouth and Cincinnati. It was shut down back in the 80's. I'm close with a group that tried to lease it several times from NS to start a Short Line Railroad, as there was several industrial sites along this 100+ mile path, and it was welded rail. The roadbed is still pristine today, but the business are gone. the Ford Plant shut down, as well as, the quarries that loaded out by rail switched to 100% trucking. The grain business in Winchester, Ohio was large enough, they had a small yard and their own diesel switcher to move the unloaded cars reloading and staging loaded grain hoppers, for NS to pick up off the main line.

The Bid Sandy Division, has a refinery in Catlettsburg, and a power plant in Louisa, Ky. Paintsville there is a yard, and in Shelbiana another larger yard, where crew change is made. I think all trains south to Erwin Tenn from there, is through runs other than mine pick ups. I was told that they are going to move around as many folks as they can, offer early retirement pks to some of the older employees, but a lot of folks with "no job", is looming close.

I lost my job at the old Ashland Oil Louisville Refinery back in 1983, and I thought then working for an energy producing company, that my future was secure. I was lucky like some of the railroad folks will be, and that was I got a transfer to the Ashland, Ky area, thus saving 14 yrs seniority. That was my lottery in life, I was able to stay with the company I started with, until I reached retirement age, and got a wife and 4 kids through college. Some of these poor railroaders won't see that, and where in the **ll are they going to find a replacement for those dollars lost, it sure as **ll won't be one of the box stores, and that don't even cover the retirement, and medical coverage areas.

I hope the "Good Lord will Bless" all of the folks from top to botton, and if layed off, they can find equal job opportunities to they can keep on, keeping on!....Brandy!