NS 6598 and a primered unit heading east between Williamson and Matewan, WV, pulling a very long drag of coal mtys.

As a grain train flows thru Elkhorn Tunnel, a westbound approaches the west portal from within, looking as if the tunnel is on fire. Midway thru the bore is the crest of Elkhorn Grade, a major pai... (more)

With plenty of power in the background for Hill Runs and cabooses for mine runs, NS 2624 has just turned around on the wye at Elmore Yard. Forest fires from the drought give a smoky atmosphere to ... (more)

A bright and shiny NS 167 pops out of Tunnel 23 and crosses the Emory River, which enters the Obed to the left. The ventilation cuts are reminiscent of tunnels of the Great West.

Exhaust mixes with fog coming off the snow, as pushers on the rear of a heavy coal drag near the top of Elkhorn Grade. The pushers have been on the rear since Farm in the long grueling climb to th... (more)

An eastbound 194 pops out of Laurel Tunnel, showing the signs of the Heartland Corridor project around the arch. The tunnel will be notched and the ceiling raised as high as the marks shown.

On a warm winter day with remnants of snow on the ground, coal drag N226 grinds over Duff Mountain and Hogcamp trestle. A helper on the rear is easing things along thru the heart of the Cumberland... (more)

Grain train 52V heads east thru what once was the thriving town of Davy, now reduced to rubble and burned out buildings on mainstreet.

Hammerhead. A closeup study of a helper units business end. Some crews run a rope from the cab door to the knuckle release, allowing them to release on the fly after shoving coal drags over.

With a salute from the cab, a fast freight passes worktrain 98J on the Pokey not far from the Cedar Welcome Center.

So shiny you can see reflections in the paint, Operation Lifesaver Special 975 is shown having the camera and wiring fixed for the viewing passengers before departing to Kenova.

In the last glint of evening, a pusher crew throws the sand and begins to head east on the Pokey. The tunnel ahead has already been notched for the Heartland Corridor project.

Completely enshrouded in coal dust, J52 pushers shove hard on the rear of a coal drag just off the Buchanan Branch. In seconds my gear and truck were covered in black gold.

A rarity on the KD Sub, grain train K803 pulled by only one motor exits Hickory Creek Tunnel Two and crosses over Hickory Creek enroute to the Duff Mountain grade.

U85, a Hill Run, exits Micajah Tunnel on the old Virginian between Covel and Weyanoke on the way up to Clark Gap. Spring is just days away as the trees begin to bud on this very remote stretch of ... (more)