Never take your local spur for granted! When Duke University's West Campus (the main undergraduate, professional, and medical campus) was built in the early 1930's, a rail spur was constructed to help bring stone from a local quarry to the work sites. After the construction was complete, the line was cut back but still a vital link to the world, as coal was delivered every few days to the steam plant. Now the plant uses less coal and the hospital needs to expand, and the rail service was deemed expendable. The track removal process is underway - here a lone spike sits in a tie, with no rail left to hold. They'll be back to take the spike and tie plates tomorrow.
