Delmarva Central/Bay Coast interchange

[tom mann]

How would I find out when these railroads are operational in Pocomoke City?

[wm3798]

I'm not sure Bay Coast is even a thing anymore.  Since the carfloat is more or less abandoned, the only customer I'm aware of that they serve(d) was a pre-cast concrete plant somewhere down in the wastes of the Virginia Eastern Shore.  I've never seen anything move in the multiple trips I make down there.

I suppose the short answer would be to look them up on line and give them a call.

I doubt there's a "live" interchange... I'm sure when there's a car, the DC drops it off, and sometime later BC might come around and get it.

Lee

[wm3798]

Somewhere I have a picture of a pretty fresh looking Penn Central box and a Reading billboard box on the interchange track by the Pocomoke depot... I took it in 1989.  I think they may have been forgotten.

Lee

[RockGp40]

There are a couple crews that operate out of Delmar that go north and south from there (DE1 and DE2). Best bet would be to start there and see if they have any propane cars (best bet, but not 100%) or empty depressed flats. The pre-cast place Lee spoke of is up for sale since the state of Virginia is using a company out of New England to provide concrete for the rehab of the Chesapeake Bay bridge Tunnel project. They lost the bid and apparently were dependent upon it to stay alive. they should be shutting down in April or May.

There aren't many customers on that line south of Pocomoke but they do get fertilizer and grain down there in addition to propane.

[tom mann]

Interesting.  How is the concrete going to be shipped from New England?  By barge?

[RockGp40]

Interesting.  How is the concrete going to be shipped from New England?  By barge?

Presumably. I also reached out to the trainmaster for the Delmarva Central (friend of mine). The DE 2 goes on duty at Delmar at 3. But, it depends on when the DE 1 gets finished its work because they use the same power. It probably would not get to Pocomoke until 8 and that is if they are on time with no issues encountered. I know there are speed restrictions south of Salisbury.

[RockGp40]

So, the BCR may have just faded in to history. The book of faces and Wiki now show the BCR as having ceased operations today, 5/18/18. It is believed yet not confirmed that the DCR will serve the remaining few customers of the Bay Coast Railroad. The only "functional" locomotive, a GP38, will return to Larry's truck. That move may happen as early as tomorrow. There are two GP9/10s  further south near Little Creek that are out of commission.

[RockGp40]

And now, if you hadn't already heard, the state of Delaware has awarded the contract for the Georgetown to Lewes and Ellendale to Milton lines to the Delmarva Central RR. The Delaware Coast Line Railroad will cease as the operator of the line come the end of 2018. Word on the street is that they will liquidate most, if not all, of their motive power. They will keep their track equipment and continue to do track work contractually.

I hope my employer is getting their stuff together now as I hope to have a job when the MD lines contract come up for renewal in several years. Our only saving grace is that we own our southern line, from Frankford to Snow Hill.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

I hope my employer is getting their stuff together now as I hope to have a job when the MD lines contract come up for renewal in several years. Our only saving grace is that we own our southern line, from Frankford to Snow Hill.

If it makes any difference, from what I understand, most of the time when a change of operator happens, lots of the existing folks get kept around.

[davefoxx]

And now, if you hadn't already heard, the state of Delaware has awarded the contract for the Georgetown to Lewes and Ellendale to Milton lines to the Delmarva Central RR. The Delaware Coast Line Railroad will cease as the operator of the line come the end of 2018. Word on the street is that they will liquidate most, if not all, of their motive power. They will keep their track equipment and continue to do track work contractually.

I hope my employer is getting their stuff together now as I hope to have a job when the MD lines contract come up for renewal in several years. Our only saving grace is that we own our southern line, from Frankford to Snow Hill.

I can verify that the tracks at the highway intersections (e.g., Savannah Road, Kings Highway, and Gills Neck Road) have been pulled out in Lewes, in recent weeks, despite the fact that they had done ballasting and some track improvements in the area.  Once that swing bridge over the canal was decommissioned, that must have put the final nail in the coffin for the Georgetown-Lewes line.  Well, it'll make it easier to finish the Georgetown-Lewes trail. 

Good luck with your employment, Brian.

DFF

[RockGp40]

Good luck with your employment, Brian.

DFF

Thanks. I'm good through 2023, but that will only give me 16 years in the railroad retirement plan. My goal is 30.

[RockGp40]

If it makes any difference, from what I understand, most of the time when a change of operator happens, lots of the existing folks get kept around.

This hasn't been the case for the DCR. A lot of the senior NS guys were told that they would not be a good fit for them. Plus, the MDDE is unique with part time employees. DCR would want full time and I won't retire from the fire department until 2031.