The classic signal bridges are no more at Hull. Progress trumphs history again.

Eastbound Coal Train U98 is led by two Norfolk Southern engines (#1031 & #1041) that have been members of the roster for about a month. December 2011.

A loaded coal train quietly snakes around the curve prior to entering the western portal of the Welch Tunnel. January 2012.

This scene will soon change as the signals are being replaced next month. AC power waits its turn as another train pulls off the center siding and onto the main near Iaeger W.VA.

U 98 has got a pusher set on the rear and is exiting Laurel Tunnel and crossing the Tug. This train will do this several more times before reaching Bluefield.

These flowers days are numbered. The recent summer-like weather is gone and the first frost has come the night before.

A pusher set shoves a mty coal train up steep and tight confines of the Gilbert Br.

The crew of this train had its hands full as it was attempting to fish 4 cars from the middle of a 100 car cut.

A never late Dash 8 passes the classic CPLs at Old Joe along the Pokey.

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.

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.

Mine run U98 pulls close to the Glen Alum Tunnel hoping not to have to enter it before the cab on the rear clears the switch at Wharncliffe.

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)

The engineer enjoys the fall colors as he waits on the conductor to hand throw the switch to back up the Gilbert to load.

In a Fall foliage scene soon to disappear on the Pokey, minerun U98 shuffles mtys to deliver to Red Ash just east at Hull. These old CPLs are most likely short timers on the Pocahontas as many are... (more)