NS 233 is second in the parade today. It is usually first but not today for some reason. It's not from a lack of power as one can see.

The dispatcher said, "No track time for MOW, the floodgates have opened." The afternoon parade of WB's has begun after the tunnel curfew is lifted. NS 217 leads today.

Norfolk Southern coal hoppers head west toward Williamson at dusk, with the old signals above standing guard. The signals will soon fall as many have along this rugged and remote stretch of the Po... (more)

A bluebird leads a load of HUMVEE's east on the Pokey.

An OLS 25 unit holds main two while a coal train takes a mine run out of the Williamson Yard.

These engines are laboring hard against the grade as they pass the old N&W cantilever signal at Wharncliffe.

18M shadows the slide detector fence as it hugs one of the many tight curves along the Pokey.

Situated at the spot where WV, KY, and VA come together, an eastbound BNSF powered fast freight runs by the old Wharncliffe depot concrete dock at dusk. The east leg of the Gilbert Branch is visib... (more)

An eastbound grain train passes under the old signals at Wharncliffe, while mtys destined for Bens Creek hold the center siding down. These old signals will probably be the next to be replaced aft... (more)

It's late in the evening and the second unit train of the day leaves Alpha Natural Resources loadout at Ben Creek. The third unit train rests on the west leg of the wye and is ready to go as soon ... (more)

NS U20 backs up the Gilbert Branch to load at Alpha Natural Recources. Cabs like this are still common along the Pokey during mine runs like this.

The morning fog lays like a blanket over the Tug valley as three pushers help a loaded coal drag off the steep Gilbert Branch.

An ex-UP leaser leads a load of West Virginia black diamond off the east leg of the Gilbert Br. wye and on to the Pokey main.

The nearly full moon glows behind a set of cantilever CPLs along the Tug Fork river. Better shoot all you can as these are quickly disappearing from Vulcan to Panther.

A fast freight fans the flames on a ridge above the Wharncliffe signal. Burning the beautiful mountains of the coalfields of Appalachia has been a long tradition to many folks.