Route Features

Run8's CSX Selkirk Terminal route is roughly 120 miles long and includes the Castleton Sub, Amtrak Hudson Sub and the Lab Operator! The route also features working defect detectors and the many large industries located a long the route such as the RailEx Terminal at CP-FG which is the final destination for Union Pacific's "salad shooter" train. The interchange with the B&M Railroad at CP-RJ, Guilderland Industrial park near CP-VO, Albany Amtrak Yard, and much much more!

We also included a working classification hump yard at Selkirk, and there is also a cool auto transfer facility located on the north side of the yard.

There is a ton of operations over this route and we included some helpful documents and timetables to help you get up to speed very quickly with it all.

A EASTBOUND CN AUTO TRAIN MAKES IT WAY THROUGH SELKIRK YARD

CSX-UP Q091 AT THE RAILEX TERMINAL

Route History

Selkirk yard is one of largest classification yards in the North East. Serving New England, south to New York City, and north to the City of Albany via the Port Sub.

Selkirk yard was built in the early 1900's by the New York Central (NYC) and consisted of 2 Humps, but that didn't last long, and was reduced to 1 Hump. The orginal yard was called "Pearlman Yard" and was considerd to be the "Top End" of today. The "Mat Yard", where the material handling cars are stored, was once the massive round house and turntable back in the steam days.

In the mid 1920's as Albany was getting more populated, there was only one way though the stiff grades, which is now, part of the Amtrak Hudson Line. The freight lines had to either double the train or doulbe head, which cost more money for the railroad.

Route History cont.

It wasn't until, at this time, the famed "Castleton Cut-off" was planned. Costing, at that time, over a million dollars to build, this 'new' service lane consisted of the "Alfred H. Smith" Memorial Bridge over the Hudson River. The bridge took several years to build, and at the time was one of the largest in the land. The bridge is 150 feet above the water, and just under 1 mile long. The bridge eased trains over the stiff grades to bypass the hills at Albany. The railroad now could haul trains with much ease to join the Boston and Albany, to deliver goods to the New England States.

Today's Selkirk yard is a major hub for the gateway west and south. On any given day, 70+ trains either originate, terminate or pass though Selkirk.

SELKIRK HUMP YARD OPERATIONS