It is a tight squeeze at the Gilbert Branch Jct. The train barely fits between main two and the cliffs as it backs up the branch to load.

Take No Prisoners! SD70M-2 wastes no time building speed for the uphill climb to Bluefield.

Bens Creek minerun U98 backs up the Gilbert Branch off the Pokey main. The Tug Fork valley is a sea of colors on this warm Fall day.

A bright Conrail unit splits the signals at Old Joe on the Pokey main, headed toward Bluefield and a sure push up the grade beginning at Farm. The signals in the background are living on borrowed ... (more)

Preparing to climb aboard the caboose and back up the Gilbert Branch to Bens Creek, a brakeman does a rollby as minerun U98 eases up to the switch. Cabs are still in use on most Pocahontas branche... (more)

This train is useing secondary symbol, NS M47 since another 147 was directly behind it.

Surrounded by thick WV forrest growth at the base of a sheer cliff lies Staggerweed Tunnel. This often overlooked tunnel plays a vital link in connecting the P-D Division with the Pocahontas Divis... (more)

NS is getting their monies worth out of these leased units. I have seen them in service the last 4 weekends in a row along the Pokey.

NS time freight 194 really makes the rails "cut a shine" as all the trains weight and momentum bears down on them in this steep curve along the Pokey.

The Wharncliffe wye proved to be a busy place today. The crew member gives fellow railfan, Bob Eisthen and I a friendly wave.

An empty coal train dips off the Pokey main and heads up the branch to load another load of black diamond.

A late morning time freight is "movin-on" as it rounds the bend at Wharncliffe. What a beautiful sound it made.

A newer unit heads the 217 today. This is an important train and seems to always get good power.

Stranger in a strange land. It was unusual to see a UP unit knock down N&W CPL's. The train is having trouble getting back underway on the steep grade after stopping under the classic N&W CPL's.

Shuffling power at Wharncliffe.