Reactivation of former SAL Hartsville to Sumter Branch?

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While travelling I-20 in the Bishopville SC area, I noticed that a portion of the abandoned SAL Hartsville to Sumter branch was being reactivated. The right of way was cleared of trees and freshly graded. Crews were laying new ballast, ties, and rail. Does anyone have any info on this project? Who's project is this-CSX or a regional? How much of the line is to be reactivated? What is the new source of traffic? Thanks Buddy Hill (no emails please).

-- Buddy Hill (FandR65@aol.com), April 05, 1999

Answers

I wondered where all that garbage was going on the A line. Virginia has just been told that garbage is interstate commerce and to take it. Some medical waste has been found mixed in with the other garbage.

-- Randall Bass (Randall_Bass@despo.odedodea.edu), July 26, 1999.

Thanks to all who contributed answers to my question. Too bad about the intended use. Just gotta love my home state, the nation's cesspool for everyone else's garbage and nuclear waste. Anything for an extra buck I guess. Buddy

-- Buddy Hill (palmettoLTD@hotmail.com), July 24, 1999.

While in the area in July, I asked about the track being put back in and was told that the track goes to a landfill that has recently been built just south of the I-20 overpass. The South Carolina Central RR put the track back in to serve the landfill. It is my understanding that loads of garbage or trash are sent to the landfill from out of state.

the tracks were put back in to deliver loads of garbage or trash that are being sent from out of state

-- John Potter (salrrjp@aol.com), July 24, 1999.


Saw the new trackage under I-20 bridge on June 19. The track may have been put back in as far as the landfill which is just south of I- 20. Jimmy

-- Jimmy Summers (jpsummers@msn.com), June 23, 1999.

Buddy, I don't know what is going on with this line, but I'm going to try to find out. I am from Sumter originally and have always been interested in railroading around Sumter and this line specifically. The last train I saw on this line was in 1973 or 1974 (heading out of Sumter towards Bishopville). The line was abandoned between Sumter and Bishopville in the late 70's and the track was removed around 1982. SCRF took over the remainder to Hartsville in 1987. I am very curious about who is reactivating the portion you saw. My guess is that it has to be an industrial plant of some type going in south of I-20 - can't imagine that anyone would rebuild it all the way to Sumter. Seaboard only ran a local 2 - 3 times a week in the 1960s before the merger. There's no industry until you get to Sumter. I'm going to be in the area in 3 weeks and I want to see it for myself! I'll let you know what I find out. Check out http://www.scrm.org for more information on the SCRF. Jimmy

-- Jimmy Summers (jpsummers@msn.com), May 30, 1999.


The railroad in question is the South Carolina Central railroad, a fairly well-run shortline.

More information on the shortline can be found at http://www.dark-star.com/morgul/scrf.htm

-- Craig Dooley (morgul@att.net), April 10, 1999.


Buddy this a regional with hdqrts at the old freight station in HHartsville. The name esapes me, but will be in the area next week and get you pictures and info. Send me your mailing address. This line goes into Society Hill as well. The eastern pick up point with CSX is the Florence Yard and the western is Sumter. There is talk of them reopening the old line into Camden. Give me a call. Best, Bob

-- Bob Lockhart (rsl@gel.com), April 07, 1999.

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