Main Line (Seaboard Air Line Railroad) Explained

Main Line
Other Name:S-Line
Color:FF9901
Status:Some segments are still operating
Start:Richmond, Virginia
End:Tampa, Florida
Owner:Seaboard Air Line Railroad (1900-1967)
Seaboard Coast Line Railroad (1967-1982)
Seaboard System Railroad (1982-1986)
CSX Transportation (1986-present)
Linelength Mi:845
Electrification:No
Signalling:Centralized traffic control
Map:
The SAL Main Line (blue) in relation to the ACL Main Line (red). Dashed lines represent where the line has been abandoned.
Map State:uncollapsed

The Seaboard Air Line Railroad’s Main Line was the backbone of the Seaboard Air Line Railroad's network in the southeastern United States. The main line ran from Richmond, Virginia to Tampa, Florida, a distance of over 800 miles. Along its route it passed through Petersburg, Raleigh, Columbia, Savannah, Jacksonville, and Ocala, Florida. While some segments of the line have been abandoned as of 2023, most of the line is still in service and is owned by the Seaboard Air Line's successor, CSX Transportation as their S-Line.

History

By the time the Seaboard Air Line Railroad (known as the Seaboard Air Line Railway before 1946) was officially created, track that would make up its main line had already been built by the company's predecessors. The main line was built in the late 1800s by the following companies:

By 1900, the Seaboard Air Line Railway was incorporated, which brought together the predecessor companies together and created the main line north of Camden, South Carolina. At this time, the company had leased the Florida Central and Peninsular Railroad (FC&P) network which expanded the system through Georgia and Florida. The Seaboard Air Line would fully not own the FC&P network until 1903.

The Seaboard Air Line would run many historic passenger services over its main line, many of which ran from New York to Florida. Some of the Seaboard's passenger trains included the Florida and Metropolitan Limited, Atlanta Special, Suwanee River Special, Orange Blossom Special, Southern States Special, Cotton Blossom, Palmland, Silver Meteor, Silver Comet, Silver Star, Sunland, and Tidewater.[1] [2] [3]

Seaboard also had a number of fast, high-priority freight trains called Red Ball freights between various points on its system.[4] However, from 1918 to 1966, a number of through freight trains instead ran the Andrews and Charleston Subdivisions between Hamlet, North Carolina and Savannah, Georgia to allow passenger trains to be prioritized on the main line.[5]

The Seaboard Air Line installed Centralized traffic control along the main line in the 1940s to improve efficiency.[6] The Seaboard Air Line would also be the first railroad to install a talking hot box detector (the predecessor to the modern defect detector). This first talking hot box detector was installed on the main line in Riceboro, Georgia.[5]

In 1967, the Seaboard Air Line merged with their long-time rival, the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad (ACL). The ACL also had a main line running from Richmond, Virginia to Tampa, Florida that was roughly parallel to the SAL’s main line.[7] The two main lines crossed each other in Chester, Savannah, Jacksonville, and Plant City. After the merger was complete, the company was named the Seaboard Coast Line Railroad (SCL), who largely retained both main lines in the combined network.[8] To differentiate the two main lines, the Seaboard Coast Line designated the SAL’s main line as the S-Line and the ACL’s main line as the A-Line. The letter S was added as a prefix to the mileposts on the S-Line (S was also added to the beginning of the pre-existing letter prefixes on the SAL’s branch lines).

In 1980, the Seaboard Coast Line's parent company, Seaboard Coast Line Industries (SCLI), merged with the Chessie System, creating CSX Corporation. CSX Corporation initially operated the Chessie and SCLI Systems separately, however in 1982 they began the process of consolidating the railroads of both holding companies. This began with the formation of the Seaboard System Railroad, which merged all of the railroads owned by SCLI into one. In 1986, Seaboard System renamed themselves CSX Transportation (CSXT), and by August 1987, the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway -the final remaining railroad under the Chessie System brand- was merged into CSXT.

Current conditions

As of 2023, much of the line is still in service, though it has been abandoned in some places.

At the north end, CSX still operates the line from Richmond to just north of Chester, which is now CSX's Bellwood Subdivision.The short segment of the S-Line from Centralia (just north of Chester, Virginia) to Collier Yard (just south of Petersburg, Virginia) was abandoned by the Seaboard Coast Line shortly after the 1967 merger. The remaining track was connected to the A-Line in an effort to consolidate the two lines on to the A-Line though Petersburg. Some of the supports that once held the S-Line's bridge over the Appomattox River are still standing on the northwest side of Petersburg.[9]

CSX abandoned the S-Line from Collier Yard to Norlina, North Carolina in 1987. CSX sold the right of way to the states of Virginia and North Carolina in 2019. The states are doing preliminary work to rebuild the line for high-speed passenger service as part of the Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor.[10] Virginia has since bought its portion of the line, and, as December 2023, North Carolina is negotiating a deal to buy the portion in their state.[11]

The S-Line is still in service from Norlina, North Carolina to Savannah, Georgia. This segment is now CSX's Norlina Subdivision, Aberdeen Subdivision, Hamlet Subdivision, Columbia Subdivision, and Savannah Subdivision.[12] Amtrak still operates on this segment from Raleigh to Savannah. This is the only segment of the S-Line that still carries regular passenger service.

From Savannah to the Ogeechee River in Richmond Hill, Georgia, the line was abandoned and consolidated with the A-Line shortly after the 1967 merger. Though, the original S-Line bridge over the Ogeechee River remained with its tracks removed next to the A-Line bridge until 2019.[13]

The S-Line was severed as a through route between Savannah and Jacksonville in 1986 when track was abandoned between Riceboro and Bladen, Georgia. Additional track was abandoned between Bladen and Seals, Georgia four years later.[14] The shortline Riceboro Southern Railway now operates from Richmond Hill to Riceboro, and the First Coast Railroad operates from Seals, Georgia to Yulee, Florida. Both the First Coast Railroad and the Riceboro Southern Railway took over their respective sections of the S-Line in the mid 2000s and are both owned by Genesee & Wyoming. South of Yulee to Panama Park near Jacksonville is now CSX's Kingsland Subdivision. The S-Line Urban Greenway is now on the former right of way in northeast Jacksonville.

The S-Line in Florida is CSX's primary freight route through the peninsula. From Jacksonville to Baldwin, the S-Line run through CSX's Jacksonville Terminal Subdivision and runs on the Wildwood Subdivision from Baldwin to Owensboro. A short section of the S-Line from Owensboro to Zephyrhills via Dade City was abandoned by the Seaboard Coast Line shortly after the 1967 merger in favor of the ex-ACL line which circumnavigated the towns instead of going right through them. The Hardy Trail was built on some of the former right of way near Dade City in 2019.[15] [16] From Zephyrhills to Gary in Tampa is now CSX's Yeoman Subdivision and part of the Tampa Terminal Subdivision. The S-Line has been abandoned beyond Gary, which has severed the line from Tampa Union Station.[17]

Historic Stations

StateMilepost[18] City/LocationStation[19] [20] ImageConnections and notes
VASRN 3.9RichmondHermitagejunction with Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad
SRN 0.0
S 0.0
Main Street StationAmtrak Northeast Regional
originally opened in 1901
closed in 1950s with service relocated to Broad Street Station
reopened in 2003
junction at Triple Crossing with:
S 0.7Manchesterjunction with Richmond and Danville Railroad (SOU)
S 8.6BellwoodBellwoodjunction with Hopewell Subdivision
S 13.0ChesterChesterjunction with Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Main Line
S 18.7Lynch
S 22.9PetersburgPetersburg
S 27.5Ryan
S 31.1BurgessBurgess
S 37.5DinwiddieDinwiddie
S 41.8DeWittDeWitt
S 47.6McKenneyMcKenney
S 52.2RawlingsRawlings
S 57.1WarfieldWarfield
S 61.1AlbertaAlbertajunction with Virginian Railway (N&W)
S 63.9CochranCochran
S 67.8GrandyGrandy
S 74.0Skelton
S 79.0La CrosseLa Crossejunction with Atlantic and Danville Railway (N&W)
S 83.7Hagood
S 86.4Bracey
NCS 91.0Paschall
S 94.9WiseWise
S 98.4NorlinaNorlinaoriginally Ridgeway Junction
junction with Portsmouth Subdivision
S 106.5MiddleburgMiddleburg
S 109.8Greystone
S 113.8HendersonHendersonjunction with:
S 118.3Gill
S 121.8KittrellKittrell
S 130.3FranklintonFranklintonjunction with Louisburg Subdivision
S 136.5YoungsvilleYoungsville
S 140.5Wake ForestWake Forest
S 154.8RaleighEdgeton
S 156.1Raleighjunction with:
S 160.2Meredith College
S 160.5Method
S 168.3CaryCaryAmtrak Silver Star, Carolinian, and Piedmont
station rebuilt in 1996
junction with North Carolina Railroad (SOU)
S 171.1ApexApexjunction with Durham and Southern Railway
S 177.3New HillNew Hill
S 179.8BonsalBonsaljunction with Durham and South Carolina Railroad (SOU)
S 181.1Merry Oaks
S 187.3MoncureMoncurejunction with Pittsboro Subdivision
S 195.1ColonColonjunction with Raleigh and Western Railway (SOU)
S 198.9SanfordSanfordjunction with:
S 205.6Lemon SpringsLemon Springs
S 211.1CameronCameron
S 216.6VassVassalso known as Winder
S 219.9Fleet
S 225.0Southern PinesSouthern PinesAmtrak Silver Star
S 228.7AberdeenAberdeenjunction with:
S 238.2Mackall
S 239.4HoffmanHoffman
S 253.4HamletAmtrak Silver Star
station rebuilt in 1900
junction with:
S 260.8Osborne
SCS 269.3WallaceWallace
S 271.8CherawCherawjunction with:
S 279.8Gillespie
S 284.9PatrickPatrickstation rebuilt in 1900
S 292.0Middendorf
S 299.3McBeeMcBeejunction with Hartsville Subdivision
S 307.0BethuneBethune
S 312.6CassattCassatt
S 319.5Shepard
S 326.5CamdenCamdenAmtrak Silver Star
S 330.7LugoffLugoff
S 339.0Blaneylater known as Elgin
S 349.4Weddell
S 358.4Elmwood
S 360.7ColumbiaAmtrak Silver Star
rebuilt in 1903 and 1991
junction with:
S 362.5CayceCayce
S 366.5Dixiana
S 371.6GastonGaston
S 381.0SwanseaSwansea
S 385.6WoodfordWoodford
S 393.7LivingstonLivingston
S 402.0NorwayNorway
S 414.1DenmarkAmtrak Silver Star
junction with Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Florence—Robbins Line
S 417.7GovanGovan
S 426.2UlmerUlmer
S 436.0FairfaxFairfaxjunction with Charleston & Western Carolina Railway (ACL)
S 442.8GiffordGifford
S 450.5EstillEstill
S 460.2GarnettGarnett
GAS 469.0ClyoClyo
S 478.8Stillwell
S 481.2RinconRincon
S 490.1Meinhard
S 497.3SavannahCentral Junctionjunction with:
S 501.8Savannah Union Stationaccessed via a spur track
S 512.4Burroughsjunction with Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Main Line
S 515.6Richmond HillRichmond Hill
S 522.1LimerickLimerick
S 527.2MidwayDorchesteralso known as Dorchester
S 529.1RiceboroRiceboro
S 537.1Jones
S 540.1WarsawWarsaw
S 544.1TownsendTownsend
S 550.4Cox
S 556.8EverettEverettjunction with Macon and Brunswick Railroad (SOU)
S 564.4Thalmannjunction with Brunswick and Birmingham Railroad (AB&C/ACL)
S 568.4BladenBladen
S 573.8Hayner
S 578.3WaverlyWaverly
S 582.6White OakWhite Oak
S 587.7WoodbineWoodbine
S 593.4SealsSeals
S 598.9Kingslandjunction with St. Mary's Railroad
FLS 605.4GrossGrossjunction with Gross Subdivision
S 613.5YuleeYuleejunction with Fernandina Subdivision
S 619.1Tisonia
S 625.0JacksonvilleEastportjunction with Dames Point Spur
SO 630.1Dames Pointlocated on Dames Point Spur
served Port of Jacksonville facilities on Dames Point and Blount Island
S 629.5Panama Parkjunction with Jacksonville and Southwestern Railroad (ACL)
S 638.0Jacksonville Union Terminaljunction with:
SP 641.6Marietta
S 652.5BaldwinBaldwinjunction with Tallahassee Subdivision & Gross Subdivision
S 659.0Maxville
S 669.3LawteyLawtey
S 678.4StarkeStarke
S 679.1Wannee Junctionjunction with Wannee Subdivision
S 680.1Newnan
S 684.6HamptonHamptonjunction with Georgia Southern and Florida Railway (SOU)
S 690.0WaldoWaldojunction with Brooksville Subdivision
S 696.6Orange HeightsOrange Heights
S 703.3HawthorneHawthorne
S 712.3LochloosaLochloosa
S 714.5Island GroveIsland Grove
S 716.9CitraCitra
S 722.4SparrSparr
S 725.8AnthonyAnthony
S 731.5OcalaSilver Springs Junctionjunction with Ocklawaha Valley Railroad
S 735.3Ocala Union Stationjunction with Atlantic Coast Line Railroad High Springs—Croom Line
S 743.5Santos
S 747.1BelleviewBelleview
S 752.0SummerfieldSummerfield
S 756.8OxfordOxford
S 761.5WildwoodWildwoodjunction with Orlando Subdivision
S 766.1ColemanColemanjunction with Miami Subdivision
S 770.4Lake PanasoffkeeLake Panasoffkee
S 771.0Ekalalso known as Sumterville Junction
S 775.1BushnellBushnell
S 778.9St. CatherineSt. Catherinejunction with Atlantic Coast Line Railroad High Springs—Croom Line
S 783.2Rerdell
S 791.2LacoocheeLacoocheejunction with Orange Belt Railway (ACL)
S 791.9OwensboroOwensborojunction with Atlantic Coast Line Railroad High Springs—Lakeland Line
S 797.9Dade CityDade City
S 808.0ZephyrhillsZephyrhillsjunction with Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Vitis–Tampa Line
S 811.4Crystal SpringsCrystal Springs
S 818.5KnightsKnights
Plant CitySandler Junctionjunction with Plant City Subdivision
S 823.1Plant City Union Depotjunction with Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Main Line
S 818.5Lake Wales Junctionjunction with Fort Myers Subdivision
S 827.4Turkey CreekTurkey Creekjunction with Sarasota Subdivision
S 829.5SydneySydney
S 832.5ValricoValricojunction with Valrico Subdivision
S 834.8BrandonBrandon
S 840.9TampaYeoman
S 843.5Garyjunction with Seaboard Air Line Railroad Tampa Subdivision
S 844.9Tampa Union Stationreplaced original station located at Franklin and Whiting Streets
S 846.0Seddon Island TerminalFreight terminal built in 1909

Notes and References

  1. Seaboard Air Line June 15, 1948 timetable, Table 11
  2. Seaboard Air Line December 15, 1955 timetable, Tables 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
  3. Seaboard condensed timetable, April 25, 1954 http://streamlinermemories.info/South/SAL54TT.pdf
  4. Book: Prince, Richard E. . Seaboard Air Line Railway: Steam Boats, Locomotives, and History . Indiana University Press . 2000 . 1966 . 978-0-253-33695-8 .
  5. Web site: The Charleston Subdivision . Abandoned Rails . 26 October 2020.
  6. Web site: Goolsby . Larry . Remembering the Seaboard Air Line Railroad . Classic Trains . 12 March 2021 . 2 November 2022.
  7. Book: Turner. Gregg. A Short History of Florida Railroads. 2003. Arcadia Publishing. 978-0-7385-2421-4.
  8. http://www.multimodalways.org/docs/railroads/companies/SCL/SCL%20ETTs/SCL%20Jville%20%26%20Tampa%20Divs%20ETT%20%238%2010-30-1977.pdf Seaboard Coast Line Railroad Jacksonville Division and Tampa Division Timetable (1977)
  9. Web site: Rails in Virginia: Seaboard Air Line - The "S-Line" . Train Orders . 25 November 2020.
  10. Web site: Wilson . Bill . North Carolina looks to benefit from Virginia/CSX deal via high-speed rail . Railway Track and Structures . 26 December 2019 . 25 November 2020.
  11. News: WLOS Staff . Buttigieg, Cooper tout North Carolina's $1.09 billion grant for S-Line rail project . 11 February 2024 . WLOS . 8 December 2023 . en.
  12. http://www.multimodalways.org/docs/railroads/companies/CSX/CSX%20ETTs/CSX%20Florence%20Div%20ETT%20%235%201-1-2008.pdf CSX Florence Division Timetable
  13. Web site: SAL - Ogeechee River Bridge . Bridge Hunter . 1 November 2022.
  14. Web site: The Everett Subdivision. Abandoned Rails. 11 March 2018.
  15. https://www.baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2019/10/24/new-dade-city-park New Park Meant to Draw Visitors to Dade City, Downtown (BayNew9; October 24, 2019)
  16. https://www.tampabay.com/news/pasco/2019/11/18/dade-city-seeks-tourist-friendly-bike-hub-in-its-downtown-core/ Dade City seeks tourist-friendly bike hub in its downtown core," by C.T. Bowen (Tampa Bay Times; November 18, 2019)
  17. http://www.multimodalways.org/docs/railroads/companies/CSX/CSX%20ETTs/CSX%20Jacksonville%20Div%20ETT%20%234%201-1-2005.pdf CSX Jacksonville Division Timetable
  18. http://multimodalways.org/docs/railroads/companies/SAL/SAL%20ETTs/SAL%20VA%20Div%20ETT%20%232%2012-15-1955.pdf Seaboard Air Line Railroad Virginia Division Timetable (1955)
  19. Web site: Virginia Railroads: Passenger Stations & Stops . Jim Fergusson's Railway and Tramway Station Lists (Virginia). 4 November 2020.
  20. Web site: North Carolina Railroads: Passenger Stations & Stops . Jim Fergusson's Railway and Tramway Station Lists (North Carolina). 4 November 2020.