OT - Abandoned Railtrack in Starkville

[greenbean.sixpack]

There is an (what appears to be a no longer used) railroad line that runs under University Drive (near Humble Taco) to Highway 12 (near the Army/Navy Pawn Shop). Has there been any talk of developing this into a walking, jogging, biking trail or developing into some other recreational use? I know the rails are still down, but the line under University looks like it hasn't been used in many years (I have no memory of a train running on that track).

Seems like something with a lot of potential, obviously it would take working with whoever owns that rail line.

 

[gwadSIG]

How long of a piece of it? I know some folks in the commercial rail business. Some are leaving the structure for railbiking: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=viSJsOUCGu4

 

[dickiedawg]

Every once in a while someone asks Lynn Spruill about it on Twitter. One of the railroads didn’t want to give up their rights to it I think. At one point she made a tweet suggesting there might be some progress coming but haven’t heard anything in a while.

 

[msudawg12]

Submit in into rails to trails. Its a no. Profit that helps with these things

 

[thekimmer]

Lived in an apartment next to this railroad while at State. Train loaded with pulpwood used to come through around dusk. One evening just for kicks one of my roommates hopped on it as it passed. He didn't go too far. We picked him up in West Point. Good times.

 

[mstateglfr]

How long of a piece of it? I know some folks in the commercial rail business. Some are leaving the structure for railbiking: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=viSJsOUCGu4

good lord- not for me. not even at the sloth speed the old guys are going.
View attachment 22370


Up next- tightrope walking on abandoned phone lines!

 

[maroonmadman]

I think KCS (Kansas City Southern) still has rights to that track. Years ago that line was part of the Durant - Kosciusko - West Point line serviced by Illinois Central RR. It was another company before IC took over in the '50's. My Grandmother hopped a train in Kosciusko and rode it to the hospital in West Point to give birth to her 5th child as there wasn't a suitable hospital in KO back then. (1920's or slightly before) Two days after giving birth she hopped the train back to KO with her newborn child. This was in the day when passenger service was in use along most all railroad lines. Back in my younger days I watched many a freight train roll along this line. An attempt was made to turn the line from just east of KO to Durant into a scenic railroad but that plan fizzled. Rails to trails on that entire line from West Point to near Durant, where it joins the old IC main line, would be the best thing that could happen. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kosciusko_and_Southwestern_Railway

 

[MedDawg]

There is an (what appears to be a no longer used) railroad line that runs under University Drive (near Humble Taco) to Highway 12 (near the Army/Navy Pawn Shop). Has there been any talk of developing this into a walking, jogging, biking trail or developing into some other recreational use? I know the rails are still down, but the line under University looks like it hasn't been used in many years (I have no memory of a train running on that track).

Seems like something with a lot of potential, obviously it would take working with whoever owns that rail line.

Holy crap I just remembered the raised old track that ran through campus (and the junction?). When did State get rid of that?