Reporting mark BLU Dates of operation 2014–Present Parent organization Watco Companies | Locale North Carolina Founded 25 June 2014 | |
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Track gauge 4 ft 8 ⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge Length 91.8 miles (147.7 kilometres) Website watco.com/railroads/BLU Predecessors Southern Railway, Norfolk Southern Railway | ||
The Blue Ridge Southern Railroad (reporting mark BLU) is a Class III shortline railroad operating over 91.8 miles (147.7 kilometres) of track in Western North Carolina. The railroad is owned by Watco of Pittsburg, Kansas, and operates three lines that connect in the Asheville area that were previously owned by Norfolk Southern Railway. The railroad is based out of Canton, North Carolina, and utilizes 10 locomotives. Operations began on 26 July 2014.
Contents
Watco s blue ridge southern railroad hd
History
The Blue Ridge Southern Railroad was formed on 25 June 2014 when WATCO reached a definitive agreement with Norfolk Southern for the purchase of 91.8 miles of branchlines in Western North Carolina. The railroad began operations with a fleet of 11 diesel electric locomotives, which consist of three SD40-2s, four SD40M-2 rebuilds, and four GP39-2s.
The announcement to sell the lines that would become the Blue Ridge Southern Railroad was made in a Norfolk Southern corporate meeting in April 2014.
Operations
Blue Ridge Southern Train Symbols
Radio operations
The Blue Ridge Southern Railroad conducts radio operations for train crews and maintenance on frequencies 160.2150, 160.3350, 160.7700, 160.8000 and 161.0250.