Written by: Gary Dolzall.

The Norfolk Southern N-Line route now brings the challenges and captivating appeal of American branch line railroading to TS2019!

Available now, TS2019’s latest route – the Norfolk Southern N-Line – delivers the captivating experiences and railroading challenges of a classic American branch line!

The Norfolk Southern’s N-Line extends from Salisbury to Halls Ferry, North Carolina. Built in 1891 as the Yadkin Railroad, it became a property of the famed Southern Railway, and most recently has been part of Norfolk Southern’s Piedmont Division and Charlotte District. The Norfolk Southern N-Line is noted by rail enthusiasts for its challenging “saw tooth” profile, sharp curves, and journey through Carolina’s forest country. And while the N-Line has all the appeal of a traditional southern short line, it is also alive with tonnage. The NS N-Line serves a diverse range of lineside industries and customers, including a sprawling aggregates quarry near Gold Hill and a variety of forest products, agricultural, and building supply customers at locations including South Salisbury, Gold Hill, Richfield, New London, and Halls Ferry.

Norfolk Southern’s N-Line branch diverges from the NS’s busy Washington, D. C. – New Orleans main line at Salisbury’s Yadkin Junction, then makes its way southeasterly 25 miles to Halls Ferry. In addition to the complete N-Line branch, the new TS2019 route includes the NS Charlotte District main line between “Old Spencer” Yard (home base to N-Line operations) and Yadkin Junction, bringing total mileage to approximately 30 route miles. And the upcoming TS2019 route includes the facilities of the noted North Carolina Transportation Museum, which occupies the ex-Southern Railway Spencer Shops near Salisbury.

Train Simulator’s Norfolk Southern N-Line route puts you in the engineer’s seat for railroading over a curvy and roller-coaster branch line which will require you to keep a close hand on both throttle and brakes as you make your way along the “up one hill, then down the other” route. The N-Line’s undulating profile includes grades of up to 1.4 per cent. You’ll also enjoy the challenges of lineside switching and local duties as you serve the N-Line’s variety of rail customers. Norfolk Southern operations on the N-Line are typically handled by symbol train P92, which operates from Old Spencer Yard and makes a turn to Halls Ferry. Operating speeds on the branch line are 25 mph, with 50-mph running on the adjoining Charlotte District main line.

Accompanying the TS2019 Norfolk Southern N-Line route are three diesel locomotives authentic for use on the route: NS Electro-Motive “hi-nose” and “low-nose” EMD GP38-2s and an NS EMD GP40-2 (the N-Line is typically served by four-axle locomotives due to its many sharp curves and the nature of its trackage). And the route includes a selection of eight contemporary freight car types, including a three-bay covered hopper; stone hopper, center-beam and bulk-head flats; boxcar; coal gondola; tank car; and low gondola.

The Norfolk Southern N-Line also features new foliage assets which brings a new level of visual realism to TS2019, a variety of custom structure assets for the route, and a selection of seven career scenarios that put you to work from end-to-end on the route.

Distinctive railroading, mixing the classic charms of American branch line and short line railroading with the challenges and bustle of serving a wide range of lineside industries, awaits you with the new TS2019 Norfolk Southern N-Line – and the route is now available at the Steam and Dovetail Games stores! – Gary Dolzall

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The challenging and captivating experiences of American branch line railroading now come to TS2019 – with the Norfolk Southern N-Line route extending from Salisbury to Halls Ferry, North Carolina. In addition to serving as the terminus of the branch, Halls Ferry is home to three large online customers. NS low-nose GP38-2 5341 is making a set out at Halls Ferry (above), while hi-nose GP38-2 5113 (below) handles nocturnal switching. Screenshots by Gary Dolzall.

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At one of the N-Line’s many lineside industries, Norfolk Southern EMD GP38-2 5257 and a sister are switching a large building material facility near New London, North Carolina. Note: Screenshots may depict content still in development.

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The North Carolina community of Gold Hill is a major source of tonnage for the N-Line. Norfolk Southern EMD GP40-2 3018 with NS Train P92 rolls past one lineside customer at Gold Hill (above), while at the nearby and sprawling Gold Hill quarry complex, NS hi-nose GP38-2 5050 is working a heavy string of stone cars (below).

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Norfolk Southern operations on the N-Line are typically handled by symbol train P92, which operates from Old Spencer Yard and makes a turn to Halls Ferry. On its return journey to Old Spencer Yard, Train P92 with GP40-2 3018 on the point makes its way through North Carolina’s “forest and red earth” countryside (above and below).

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A duo of Norfolk Southern’s unique hi-nose GP38-2s are making a call at the aluminum facility located along the N-Line at South Salisbury. Accompanying the TS2019 Norfolk Southern N-Line route are three diesel locomotives: NS Electro-Motive “hi-nose” and “low-nose” GP38-2s and an NS EMD GP40-2. The N-Line branch is typically served by four-axle locomotives due to its sharp curves and the nature of its trackage.

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The Norfolk Southern N-Line is noted for its challenging “saw tooth” profile. Bound for Salisbury, NS GP40-2 3018 and Train P92 have just dropped down the 1 percent grade in the distance and are already climbing another grade (above). A short time later, Train P92 arrives at Yadkin Junction and swings onto the Norfolk Southern Charlotte District main line.

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Making its way north along the Norfolk Southern Charlotte District main line en route to Old Spencer Yard, Train P92 trundles past the Salisbury Amtrak station (above) and through Salisbury’s trackside business district (below).

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Home base for the operations of the N-Line’s Train 92 is Old Spencer Yard. On a snow-dressed winter day, Train P92 behind GP38-2 5282 begins in run, while hi-nose GP38-2 5134 tends to yard duties. The new TS2019 Norfolk Southern N-Line route includes a selection of eight contemporary freight car types appropriate for use on the branch line, including a three-bay covered hopper; stone hopper, center-beam and bulk-head flats; boxcar; coal gondola; tank car; and low gondola.

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Distinctive railroading, mixing the classic charms of American branch line and short line railroading with the challenges and bustle of serving a wide range of lineside industries, awaits you with the new TS2019 Norfolk Southern N-Line – and the route is available now at the Steam and Dovetail Games stores!

Screenshots and images displayed in this article may depict content that is still in development. The licensed brands may not have been approved by their respective owner and some artwork may still be pending approval.