WAUKESHA, Wisc. — The flooding that destroyed hundreds of homes and contributed to the deaths of seven people in Appalachia has also affected operations on CSX and Norfolk Southern rail lines in the region, according to Trains.com.
CSX was hardest hit in Eastern Kentucky and Western Virginia, while NS was walloped the hardest in Western Virginia.
“The flooding did impact operations on the Kingsport and Cumberland Valley Subdivisions, with several coal trains and a few merchandise trains being affected,” CSX spokesman David Hall said.
As the water began to rise on Sunday night, March 17, CSX was forced to suspend operations on its Kingsport Subdivision between Erwin, Tenn., and Shelby, Ky., Hall said. Flooding also affected operations on the CV Subdivision from Corbin, Ky., to Big Stone Gap, Va., he said.
“It took about 18 hours for the water to recede and to repair minor washouts,” Hall said. “We’ve had normal operations since Monday afternoon.”
NS expected to have its washouts repaired by the end of the day today, spokeswoman Susan Bland said, although it was still raining this afternoon and more damage was possible.
“The hardest hit area appears to be the area around Carbo Yard in Russell County, Va., and west to Tazewell, Lee, Dickinson and Buchanan counties,” Bland said.
Over the weekend, flooding caused some delays to coal customers on both the Pocahontas and Central divisions, and some trains were held between Andover, Va., and Bull’s Gap, Tenn. The Clinch Valley District between Norton and St. Charles, Va., was pulled out of service on account of high water, numerous washouts, and mudslides. NS has since been able to serve all of the customers.
A mudslide at Grundy, Va., plowed 150 feet of track into the Big Sandy River around 10:30 p.m. Monday, Bland said. Crews were aiming to remove up to 4000 tons of mud and replace the tracks by today, she said.