A modern train snakes backward up the seldom used, Briar Mountain Branch to load a coal train. This historic branch hosted steam on it until the 60's.

The engines of a coal train begin to back over Glen Alum Creek and up the Briar Mtn. Branch amid a light snow fall. The branch is steep and combined with wet rail today had the engineer thinking h... (more)

Is it 1977 or 2007? The new EOT attached to old EOT (caboose) gives it away. It is still common to see N&W stuff still in use along the Pokey.

A coal drag is already feeling the effects of the grade along the Pokey. The smoke boils out of the unit as it struggles to keep a good pace near downtown Wharncliffe.

The rock must be heavier than I thought because this train had 3 engines for 23 rock cars and 3 pieces of MOW equipment. The spartin cab SD 60 looks so good knocking down the "short circuit" signa... (more)

A loaded mine run snakes around one of the many twist and turns along the Pokey. This stretch of track follows a path carved by the mighty Tug Fork River.

KRT acquired these units from CN. They are actually GP40-2L (W). I was told that the "L" and "W" repersents no dynamics and a wide safety cab. So I assume these are pretty rare units.

The Ohio River Bridge dwarfs this coal train in size.

Old power running long hood forward while doing switching duties.

The last light of the day kisses the last of the fall colors along the Pokey as NS 274 passes the Mingo signal but doesn't call it because it is for main 2 only.

Neat old power dragging a cab on the rear of a work train makes for a wonderful site among the fall colors along the Pokey. This one is the century mark for me at RP.Net

NS conductor, Jerome Marcum isn't as thrilled to see the CR C39-8 as I was. He was a good sport and smiled anyway.

The C39-8 classic looks never goes out of style. This mean machine looks like it is all business as it banks into one of the steep curves along the Pokey as it leads a coal drag west.

One would think these old UP units has paid their dues and receive some light duty assignments but not so. They are now earning their keep along the Pokey in coal service.

Thanks to the Pokey MOW for clearing the ROW to allow this unique photo op. Here ,a coal train can be seen rounding one of the many steep curves along the pokey.