It used to be used on the Alumax switcher, which shuttled the ore between ChemMarine (near your photo location) and the Alumax plant in Mount Holly, SC. Because of the various switch arrangements (such as the north facing switches from the Mount Holly siding and entrance to the Reeds Branch from the CSX main), this job historically to make extensive reverse moves across some major highways, so the shove platform was used. I have always assumed it is still used for this purpose on my occasional visits home to Charleston, but seeing the road number marked out makes me wonder if it still is. The Alumax switcher (or whatever CSX calls it now, believe a Y-xxx) always ran at night. You had to be out really late or catch them coming back into North Charleston late to see this one in person. Otherwise, it was just typically the power tied up on the ChemMarine lead.
|
Awesome info! Thanks you for the insight on this. I've noticed it has moved recently. So it's either being used or they are using the siding while switching other cars in the area. Either way, still a neat one to see.
|
Wonder if it's the same one shown in photo 597851? Probably not...
|
|