Probably one of the most impressive shows was this move at the Hagans Switchbacks. A loaded stone train for Brice, NC, has just stopped at the top of the switchbacks and now will head east towards Pennington Gap. While going thru the switchbacks the helper crew put on a good sand and throttle show to get the heavy train up to the top. Leaves, dust, and exhaust all settle down as the move changes directions in the last light of the day. What a show!
Originally the Martin's Fork Branch out of Harlan and was extended in 1930 to Hagans. The train came out of Kentucky and into Virginia as they pass thru the Hagans Tunnel under the Cumberland Mountains. The train keeps pulling south, then shoved back west thru a connection to the old Cumberland Valley mainline to the top at the Hagans Junction. Both switches are radio remote controlled in the switchbacks, and the train gained 102 feet in this move. The helper crew will keep shoving this stone train all the way to Gates City, VA.
