810128 Southbound SCL train approaching Norlina junction in northern North Carolina on the SCL S line between Petersburg, Va., and Raleigh, N.C., in 1981. The branch to Warren Plains and on to Weldon, N.C., runs behind the white buildings at left. A short segment of that branch still had rails in 2004, though these had not been used in many years.

The segment of the S line on which the train is traveling in the above photo, now owned by SCL successor CSX, is currently out of service, with tracks removed. The right of way is still intact, however, and plans are underway to convert this line into a part of the projected Southeast High-Speed Rail Corridor.

Sharp curves like this one would need to be changed to a new alignment to allow high-speed passenger trains to maintain their normal speeds.

Additional context on the relevance of this image is provided on the main page describing plans to re-activate the currently idle (tracks removed between 1985 and 1987) segment of the CSX S line between Petersburg, Va., and Raleigh, N.C., as a high-speed passenger rail corridor. Construction of the Southeast High-Speed Rail (SEHSR) corridor would also require substantially upgrading the still intact segment of track between Norlina, N.C., and Raleigh, N.C. To go to that main page, click here.

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