Bout how many a day on this line? Either average or the few “for certain” trains like daily manifests run this line? I’m from Jersey but wv and Kentucky have a place in my heart tho now traffic is so little nowadays. Glad I got to get sum action on video on my main RU-vid. Channel theflagman2 back in early 2010s. Wish I had more time or was old enough to drive earlier in life to document many of the lost artifacts and action of what could b seen 10 yrs ago
Since this video was shot in 2018, my understanding is that traffic on this line has decreased even more so, almost to the point where there are no real daily trains anymore. When I visited, I'd say the average was about five to six trains in daylight. One day I was there, I only saw two trains all day. This line is relatively easy to chase on, so it's possible to get a train in Corbin and then chase it further south. It's a highly scenic line, so if you can spare a few days to visit, I would recommend it even for the little traffic it sees.
Couple of observations: I remember when the line handled 30+ trains a day, most of them coal loads and empties, but a fair amount of manifest and auto racks. There was also a pair of intermodals, which L&N called TOTEs. It seemed like the downgrade of the Clinchfield as a through route would boost this line in a significant way. It didn’t. The EHH plan rerouted the only pair of intermodals via Louisville. That made some sense because the KD and CC subs’ numerous tunnels can’t handle double stacks. There is still a LOT of double track north of Corbin from the L&N days. The KD was and still is mostly single track. I met some of the most friendly train crews on this line over the years, most of them L&N hires. They complained about everything, but they were good at their jobs. The Milepost 172 you referenced at Corbin is not from Cincinnati, but from Louisville via the Lebanon Branch, severed 30 years ago as a through route and mostly abandoned today. I grew up about 45 minutes from Corbin in Somerset on Southern’s busy CNO&TP. I hope you made some time for it. Still a good show.
Very cool! I work just off the KD sub in Williamsburg. Been trying to learn more about the line and this helped a lot. Hoped to see if I could spot the building I work in, but there wasn't really any shots of the actual town. Don't blame you though, after 26 joins into 25 there isn't many good angles to shoot the trains, until you get to Savoy. I work the graveyard shift and can confirm the line is a bit busier at night. During my shift Sunday-Thursday I hear 3-4 trains a night come though. Thanks for all the cool footage and info.
I do remember hearing trains from my hotel during the night. It was a little challenging passing time throughout the day when I only saw two trains in daylight, but I made the most of it. Would really like to get back here again sometime!
