Brookneal, VA - How much train traffic? (Roanoke, Lynchburg: dangerous, moving to)

[RichDinNC]

My wife and I are contemplating moving to Brookneal, VA and we are both curious how many trains run through Brookneal on a daily basis, as we wouldn't be far from the southern set of tracks. Also, is Rt. 501 busy during the week? We were in Brookneal on a Sunday and all was very peaceful, but I'm wondering if there's significant commuter traffic during the week.

[sregorat3]

Fair number of trains through there on a daily basis. At one time, almost all of the traffic was coal, but coal is down more than 20%, so there are some other unit and mixed freight trains. This is the southern leg of the East-West heartland Corridor. The northern leg goes from Roanoke through Lynchburg. The two lines reconnect in Abilene. The north-south line goes to Lynchburg; very little used, as it once was a main to Durham and is now cut off above Roxboro. Maybe one train a day on that one, with traffic almost always being coal empties. Rt 501 is somewhat busy and the stretch between Lynchburg and Brookneal is known to be somewhat dangerous due to truck traffic, sight lines (passing), and narrow. A good number of people commute to Lynchburg daily.

[RichDinNC]

Thanks sregorat3 for your detailed response. My wife and I were recently in Brookneal and we spoke to a gal at a local eatery on Main St. and her response was similar. She said perhaps a couple or so trains a day on the northern tracks, less on the southern tracks. Concerning Rt. 501 it was fairly muffled during about an hour we spent at the property so doesn't appear to be an issue. Fortunately my wife and I wouldn't be commuting to Lynchburg, only occasional trips there and to S. Boston.