NS freight creeping through the Loops at Graphite, NC.
The Norfolk Southern S-Line is the division of the railroad from Salisbury, NC to Asheville, NC. It is widely known for The Loops between Asheville and Old Fort through Andrew's Geyser. It runs through many known cities like Barber, Statesville, Hickory, Valdese, Marion, Old Fort, and Black Mountain. The line originally was a part of the Southern Railway until its merger with Norfolk and Western to become Norfolk Southern. It is still in very good use. The route is fairly flat from Salisbury to Hickory. The grade rises slowly from Hickory to Old Fort. The main tackle is throught the Loops from Old Fort to Asheville. This route would be a really exciting route to operate on because it can tackle many different types of grades throughout the line and can become a good challenge to a fellow engineer, especially through the Loops.
Photograph copyright BJ Preddy and reproduced courtesy of RailPictures.Net
Photograph copyright Drew Faulk and reproduced courtesy of RailPictures.Net
Photograph copyright Chip Allen and reproduced courtesy of RailPictures.Net