Huge New CSX Yard another TRANSIT GIFT?

[Ocklawaha]

Having spent some time looking at the property maps in Jacksonville and Baldwin, I'm convinced the new yard will not be at Moncrief (Southeast of Grand Crossing) or West Jax (Beaver at Edgewood). Those were the traditional large yards of the old Atlantic Coast Line (Moncrief) and Seaboard Air Line (West Jax). The others were Export Yard, which CSX has sandwiched in the port area near the Hart Bridge, Springfield, Which is mostly dead, Bush, which can't expand and is not on a through route. That leaves only BALDWIN, the former Seaboard Air Line freight bi-pass for Jacksonville, and the great cross roads of it's and the current CSX lines to Los Angeles-Jax, and New York-Miami/Tampa. It too is pretty tight for space, with Baldwin to the North, industry to the East and US highways and heavy development on the West.

In my estimation, that leaves the door open to a brand new yard, to join the super intermodal facility that CSX has built in the West Side. A new line connects the mainline Northwest of I-295, it also connects with the Norfolk Southern (also hurting for container space in Jax) Hence it runs North-South between Imeson and Sportsman Club/Picketville Roads. Some of the intermodal facility can be seen North of the overpass at Pritchard Road. This link rolls back into the old Seaboard, CSX Jax-Los Angeles mainline, right at I-295, Beaver Street and the Railroad. THIS IS WHERE THE RAILROAD OWNS GAZILLIONS OF ACRES to play with!

My guess, way out west, of I-295 and North of the bike trail, or Pritchard.

Ocklawaha

[jbm32206]

I'm inclined to agree, other than that, I don't see where they'd have the space

[Ocklawaha]

If they use this corridor, it will render the entire line from Union Station, aka: Prime Osbourne, aka: TC to I-295 out beyond Amtrak as redundant switching trackage...Ditto for the mainline from downtown, along US 90 or Beaver Street as far as I-295. This would be a HUGE gift to Light Rail in the City for Westsiders!

Ocklawaha

[jbm32206]

You're right, and it would indeed, be a great opportunity