CSX Water Level Route?

[5292nate]

Hi guys. I have a question. What exactly is the CSX Water Level Route? Where does it start and stop? I'm confused. I can't seem to find anything helpful online. Maybe some CSX and CR foamers can enlighten me?!

Thanks!

[philmoberg]

This probably refers to the New York Central's Water Level Route that follows (on some sections, only broadly speaking) the Hudson River, the Mohawk River and the Erie Canal. The Central used to apply this term somewhat less precisely, given that the western end of their main line played tag with the Great Lakes, as well. It was a big selling point for their passenger services, particularly with respect to their arch-rival, the Pennsy, the implication being that there were no heavy grades or peavine alignments to disturb sleeping passengers. Having ridden both lines when their passenger trains were still numerous, I would say that the comparison was not so drastic as that - the Pennsy was a very well-engineered railroad - but I'd probably still give the nod to the Central's Water Level Route.

[5292nate]

Thanks for the info!