The announcement of Amtrak talking to Tennessee legislators about ATL - NVL service probably daytime service had me puzzled. After looking at L&N services the 6:15 between the two cities seemed fairly good .
The CHA - ATL SOU RR non stop Royal Palm route was ~:20 minutes longer where as the L&N route had stops at probably the Georgia stops. The SOU route stopping at Dalton, Rome, Adairsville, would probably add another :20 - 30 minutes . Note: Dalton is where CSX and NS cross at grade and a station and last time I looked had a slow speed connecting track ?
All and all would expect ATL <> NVL route can be run under 7 - 1/2 hours. That would probably require an assistant engineer and 2 conductors each way? Running CSX and going to Amtrak Peachtree station will require a wye in the NE quadrant from CSX to NS at Howell interlocking.
At first thoght wondered about the storage of an overnight train on the Steel spur in ATL but then said why not make the train an split of the Crescent ? Since ATL - NOL is a low traffic route most of the year why not split the Crescent at ATL with 2 or more coaches, Lounge or dinner, Bag - dorm, to start service ? Maybe even a sleeper ?
That way no additional cars needed at first but maybe an extra coach or 2 NYP -ATL that could be added to split or be cut off cars at ATL. That would almost certainly require a switcher and crew at ATL that could be road qualified in case of a major hickup on the 3 routes out of ATL ?
This would provide a easier route to / from Tennessee to the Carolinas and VA middle or east coast by way of Carolinian. Add in the NEC as well. Neither locations are a joy to drive I-40 and some for I-81 if business is major reason to travel.
Have heard talk of why not connect east TN ? The state of TN is unique as it consists of three distinct geo locations. East, middle, west. West is agriculture and firmly in confederacy camp, middle ambivalent, east firmly in Union side, witth those differences even to toay. State constitution is even splits up government on these lines. You will find that puts Nashville in the Georgia , Carolinas, camp.
EDIT. When I considered the below link about Nashville persons' 1st choice is a train to CHI the not so obvious came up. Extend the ATL - NVL train to Fulton to connect with the City of New Orleans. Unfortunately that would require restoring abandoned tracks and rebuilding the rest. However that might be a long range plan ? Not the quickest of legacy train routes to from CHI but much better than nothing. That would not require any more equipment.
It is doubtfl that running Nashville - MEM could have reliable connections to the CNO. + that route is # 7 on Nashville population desires. Remember middle and west tenn ambivalence.
What is more any passengers from Carolinas - ATL and on can connect both ways to CNO at Fulton and go towarda Memphis and CHI.
