NS U23 eases towards Glen Alum Tunnel. It will stop just on the other side so the conductor at the other end can throw the switch to back up the Gilbert Branch.
Better get a good look at Glen Alum tunnel before the Heartland Corridor project begins. Mine run U23 backs up and will soon head up the Briar Mt. Br on the other side with two motors on the head ... (more)
An NS conductor hand throws the switch to the Briar Mtn. Br. Note the old masonary work holding up the cliffs. The train is going to load a "Met" coal train.
What was once the pusher for mine run U23 has now become the head end power as the train leaves the Pokey main and heads up the Gilbert Branch at Wharncliffe.
A thick fog settles in along the Tug Fork as the new signals at Glen Alum give off a soft red glow while a coal train eases around the curve.
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 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.
Running 1 main, U23 passes another coal drag that blocks both 2 main and the center siding at "HULL".
U23 passes under the yet to be turned on signals at Panther. Another set of N&W signals bit the dust on the Pokey.
82M with two ex UP, now HLCX SD60's, sits in the center siding at Hull as U23 passes on number 2 west.
A loaded coal train is crossing the left fork of Ben Creek as it decends the steep grade coming off the Gilbert Branch of The Pokey.
With a friendly wave from the cab, mine run U23 from Bens Creek splits the signals and hits Pokey Main #2. U23 will soon be overtaken by coal drag 820, both headed east side by side in a race to I... (more)
Crew readies to depart the east leg of the wye at Wharncliffe, having just cleared Jerry on the Gilbert Branch with loads from Bens Creek.
