 |
|
Railfanning The Florence/Sheffield/Muscle Shoals Area
|
|
|
Although the geographical location is actually a few miles east of Muscle Shoals, the Norfolk Southern operates a large classification yard near the Shoals known as Sheffield Yard. Once part of the Tennessee Division, the NS line from Memphis to Chattanooga runs through the Shoals and is now considered part of the Alabama Division of Norfolk Southern. A line to Birmingham, AL connects with the Memphis to Chattanooga line in the Shoals area and provides a connection between Memphis and Birmingham. This junction is located near the west end of Sheffield yard near the Muscle Shoals/Tuscumbia city limits. Traffic between Sheffield and Memphis is typically on the order of 12-16 trains a day. The line south to Birmingham sees about 6 trains a day, while the line from Sheffield to Chattanooga sees about 10 trains a day. Of course, these are estimates as any number of occurrences can cause these numbers to vary. Due to it's remote location, much of the NS Sheffield yard is not visible from public property. The far east end of the yard is visible from a public road crossing (Gnat Pond Road) where you can catch east bound trains leaving the yard. Wilson is at the west end of the yard and forms the east leg of the wye at the junction with the main line to Birmingham, AL. Viewing/Photographing trains here is not too hard as there are a number of public roads through the area (namely Elledge Lane). Norala, which marks the west leg of the wye, is visible from an overpass on Highway 43 and possibly Decatur Street. Avalon Avenue is also a pretty good place for train-watching/photography and begins a stretch of double-track that extends to Tuscumbia. Downtown Sheffield is also a good spot to watch the action on the NS double-track. Highway 72 west out of Tuscumbia parallels the NS main line to Memphis and provides some good train-watching spots. The shortline Tennessee Southern operates a stretch of former L&N trackage from Tennessee into the port of Florence, AL on the north side of the Tennessee River. The L&N once interchanged with Southern Railway at the Shoals via a bridge over the Tennessee river. This bridge is no longer used and the draw span has been removed and installed at another location on the Norfolk Southern. You can often see Tennessee Southern power at the Port of Florence near F-L Sand & Gravel's barge transfer operation.
|
|
| 
|
|
Useful Scanner Frequencies for The Florence/Sheffield/Muscle Shoals Area
|
|
|
AAR Channel 56 - 160.950 NS Road (Channel 1)
AAR Channel 09 - 160.245 NS Dispatcher to Train (Channel 2)
AAR Channel 48 - 160.830 NS Train to Dispatcher (Channel 2)
AAR Channel 76 - 160.250 NS Hump Channel
AAR Channel 83 - 161.355 Yard, Switching *
AAR Channel 37 - 160.665 Yard, Switching *
AAR Channel 17 - 160.365 Carmen *
AAR Channel 92 - 161.490 Yard Channel #4 (maintance/shop)
AAR Channel 11 - 160.275 NS PBX Huntsville and Sheffield
AAR Channel 43 - 160.755 Tennessee Southern
For a full list of AAR Channels, see the Railfan Scanner Tips Page
* Updated/Verified 2009-04-28
|
|
| |
|
|
Latest Additions to The Florence/Sheffield/Muscle Shoals Area Photo Gallery
|
|
Click here to view a gallery of all photos from The Florence/Sheffield/Muscle Shoals Area! |
 |
Westbound NS intermodal train 201 blasts past Wheeler siding on its way to Sheffield, AL. Thanks to the conductor for the friendly wave!
File Size: 402 KBytes · Downloads: 464 · Uploaded: September 17,2008
|
 |
Here is another shot of westbound NS train 17a as it passes Mulberry Creek Rd as seen from Old Lee Highway.
File Size: 406 KBytes · Downloads: 401 · Uploaded: September 17,2008
|
 |
After stopping to line themselves in to the west end of Wheeler siding, NS local train A82 slowly heads to the east end of the siding to meet train 201.
File Size: 440 KBytes · Downloads: 434 · Uploaded: September 17,2008
|
 |
Another shot of NS local train A82 as the crew pulls through the spring switch at the east end of Wheeler siding. Gotta love those old high hood motors!
File Size: 376 KBytes · Downloads: 423 · Uploaded: September 17,2008
|
 |
An old caboose of possible Southern heritage provides an office for the crews switching the International Paper plant in Courtland, AL.
File Size: 368 KBytes · Downloads: 432 · Uploaded: September 17,2008
|
 |
Leased power used for switching the International Paper plant in Courtland, AL. The unit idles near the small yard at the paper plant while waiting for the next call of duty.
File Size: 324 KBytes · Downloads: 400 · Uploaded: September 17,2008
|
 |
Freshly painted power from the Tennessee Southern Railroad spends Saturday resting in the Port of Florence, Al. Patriot Rail really has a classy paint scheme.
File Size: 313 KBytes · Downloads: 541 · Uploaded: September 17,2008
|
 |
Another shot of the freshly painted "geep" from the Tennessee Southern Railroad with the large Port of Florence crane as a backdrop.
File Size: 371 KBytes · Downloads: 487 · Uploaded: September 17,2008
|
 |
Norfolk Southern train 17Z heads west towards Memphis, TN after passing the siding known as Carlin/Pride on the NS. The large power line towers are from the TVA Colbert steam plant.
File Size: 319 KBytes · Downloads: 359 · Uploaded: September 17,2008
|
 |
Right on the heels of train 17z, westbound train 17a blows over the crossing at Steam Plant Road west of Tuscumbia, AL on the NS Memphis District West End.
File Size: 357 KBytes · Downloads: 390 · Uploaded: September 17,2008
|
 |
The Tennessee Southern Railroad operates in to the Port of Florence in Florence, AL. Here a pair of ex-CSX GE units rest between duties. Parts of the port are visible from Chambers and Terrace Streets.
File Size: 274 KBytes · Downloads: 911 · Uploaded: August 27,2007
|
 |
Westbound Norfolk Southern train 163's crew has "gone on the law" and awaits a replacement in Town Creek, AL. There is also a nice little station in Town Creek that deserves a look if you are in the area.
File Size: 219 KBytes · Downloads: 817 · Uploaded: August 27,2007
|
 |
Here is another shot of the EMD switchers used by International Paper in Courtland, AL. The plant is visible from AL Highway 150.
File Size: 216 KBytes · Downloads: 761 · Uploaded: August 27,2007
|
 |
The International Paper Courtland Mill in Courtland, AL utilizes a couple of EMD switchers for intra-plant operations. The units appear to be MP15DC models.
File Size: 239 KBytes · Downloads: 796 · Uploaded: August 27,2007
|
 |
East-bound loaded Norfolk Southern coal train, Q38, rolls past Wheeler siding near Courtland, AL.
File Size: 159 KBytes · Downloads: 1901 · Uploaded: July 04,2001
|
Click here to view a gallery of all photos from The Florence/Sheffield/Muscle Shoals Area! |
|
|
| |
|
|
Latest Additions to The Florence/Sheffield/Muscle Shoals Area Video Clip Gallery
|
|
Click here to view an gallery of all video clips from The Florence/Sheffield/Muscle Shoals Area! |
 |
Westbound NS intermodal train 201 blasts past the east end of Wheeler siding. Unfortunately, this puppy slipped up on me and I didn't get time to straighten the camcorder! HA!
Video Clip - File Size: 3223 KBytes · Downloads: 864 · Uploaded: September 17,2008
|
 |
After meeting westbound train 201, Norfolk Southern local train A82 pulls out of the siding and on to the main line headed towards Decatur. Thanks to the crew for the friendly "toot" as they pulled out! Gotta love those old high hood motors!
Video Clip - File Size: 12213 KBytes · Downloads: 841 · Uploaded: September 17,2008
|
 |
Westbound Norfolk Southern train 17Z rides off "in to the sunset"! This video was taken a few miles west of Tuscumbia on NS's Memphis District West End subdivision.
Video Clip - File Size: 7155 KBytes · Downloads: 821 · Uploaded: September 17,2008
|
 |
Catch a video clip of NS local train T88 as it rolls on the double track at Avalon towards Sheffield yard near Muscle Shoals, AL!
Video Clip - File Size: 2976 KBytes · Downloads: 10730 · Uploaded: March 03,2005
|
 |
Norfolk Southern local train T87 rolls onto the double track at Avalon, which runs between Avalon and Tuscumbia, AL.
Video Clip - File Size: 4031 KBytes · Downloads: 10267 · Uploaded: March 03,2005
|
|
|
| |
|
|
All content ©1999-2010 John D. Peterson/AlabamaRailfan.com unless noted. These pages are in no way affiliated with any
railroad or other company mentioned in these pages. This information is provided for entertainment purposes only.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
 |
|
