Boaz siding

[NW Mailing List]

Hey Bruce,

I guess that wasn't you that went with me so many years ago (1980?) to look
for Boaz and with some 1950's photos, found features marking both ends of
the spur.  The west end of track was near the east end of a short 3/4
degree right curve in the main and the switch was at Bridge #96, a
glorified culvert distinguished by steel pipe handrailing (as of 1980) just
west of MP N254.  Recently published photos more clearly show the point of
switch virtually on the bridge.  I remember marveling at just how much the
site had been sanitized.

Anyone know when the spur was taken out of service?  Did it ever see diesel
pushers or were they put on in Roanoke?  The timing would have to depend on
the end of steam and EB tonnage being diverted to the VGN side (crossover
installs at Kellysville or Tinker Creek and Abilene)(?).

Grant Carpenter


> Date: Thu, 6 Dec 2012 09:03:47 -0500

> From: NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>

> Subject: Re: Boaz siding

>

> On Wed, Dec 5, 2012 at 10:41 PM, Ron wrote:

>

> >  Bruce,

> >

> > The location you point out on the map was the location of the Vinton

> > station. I believe the track you are pointing out is the station track.

> >

> > The following link shows Boaz Pusher Siding was located at milepost N254

> > which still stands today near the end of the parking lot.

> >

> >  http://www.nwhs.org/qna/photos/BoazSiding.jpg

> >

> > Looking at the site today, it is hard to imagine how a siding was

located

> > there. The track is located up on a fill and it does not seem wide

enough

> > to accommodate another track.

> >

>

> Thanks for the link, it does verify things. I just can't fathom how a

> siding fit at that location unless there has been some trackwork since

then

> or that bank was cut back in the intervening years. But it is the little

> things like this that make all of this so interesting.

>

> Bruce in Blacksburg