Coal Country Signaling Hit Hard by Declining Traffic

 Early this year the perils facing the extensive rail infrastructure in the eastern coal region were brought to light then NS threatened to remove the signaling from a number of coal dependent lines in its territory.  While many of those applications were withdrawn, according to a recent article, it seems that CSX is also working on downsizing its coal related infrastructure.

Siding removal on the C&O Signaled Coal Creek Sub

This is likely to affect lines that CSX had previously declined to put attitudinal investment into due to the anticipation of a drop in coal traffic.  While this had the positive effect of preserving the C&O signaling and/or the C&O aspect system, at some point the bill will come due and either the signaling or the entire line will be abandoned.

Unfortunately the cutbacks are also affecting lines CSX did spend the money to re-signal, but in these cases taking double track segments, sidings and other pieces of the physical plant out of service.  This specifically applies to the former C&O main line from Richmond to Cincinatti that was re-signaled without much in the way of rationalization between 2010 and 2014.  While the C&O signals were removed, quite a bit of interesting signaling remained with back to back interlockings and other oddball layouts.  The phantom rationalization will reduce signaling locations and possible signal indications, although the low traffic levels will also do a lot to limit what a signal fan might happen to run into.  Amtrak's Cardinal runs along this route and I'd promote taking it if a baggage car wasn't currently strapped to the rear.

Although highly detailed documentation of modern signal locations isn't a good use of time, it is often still worthwhile performing a basic documentation just in case these sort of economic factors come into play.