Dry Fork Branch

[nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org]

Tim and Gary,
Don't forget the occasional passenger detour over the Dry Fork Branch. The 
last one I can think of was Amtrak's eastbound Mountaineer in, I believe, 
July 1975. They would just hang a left turn at Cedar Bluff and head up the 
CV to Bluefield, VA.

Also, if anybody runs MS Train Simulator, there is a excellent freeware 
route that covers most of the Pokey (except for the CV Line) Division 
available at Train-Sim.com. The developer of the route did an outstanding 
job on it and it would rate right up with the best of the payware routes.

Allen Evans
Federal Way, WA



>From: nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org

>Reply-To: NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>

>To: "NW Mailing List" <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>

>Subject: RE: Dry Fork Branch

>Date: Wed, 5 Oct 2005 09:05:25 -0400

>

>Dear Tim:

>

>I personally do not know what type of traffic was on the Dry Fork Branch

>in those days.  However, I can suggest that you look at the employee

>time tables of that period that will give some indication of the

>scheduled trains that ran over the branch.  This does NOT describe any

>of the unscheduled (coal or Mty Hoppers) trains, of which there had to

>be many.

>

>Note that the ETT's trasitioned from listing trains by timetable

>schedule to a "rules" and operation format in the early 1970's, so you

>will need to look at the earlier timetables.

>

>The Dry Fork probably saw mostly unscheduled coal trains and mine run

>trains in that time period.  I do not know of any scheduled manifest

>freights that ran over that line as freight traffic 'cutting the corner'

>would have been pretty scarce.

>

>The line can be followed from Cedar Bluff to Ieager fairly easily.  I

>think a fall trip or a trip after the leaves are down would be very

>beneficial.  Traffic now is higher than it used to be (recently) as NS

>runs much of the Wolf Creek Branch coal and coal from the Williamson

>area down the Dry Fork Branch to Norton and connection to the

>ex-Southern lines going westward.  This is predominantly power plant

>coal traffic.

>

>Note that the Archives will be open by appointment (email

>Gillum at nwhs.org) on the second Thursday-Friday- Saturday of each month.

>Jim Gillum can give you directions to the facility, which is near

>Shaffers Crossing.

>

>While at Roanoke, you must go to the link Museum in the old station.

>

>I will see what I can find in the older traffic charts that I have and

>the freight schedules.

>

>Gary Rolih

>Cincinnati, Ohio

>

>-----Original Message-----

>From: nw-mailing-list-bounces at nwhs.org

>[mailto:nw-mailing-list-bounces at nwhs.org] On Behalf Of

>nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org

>Sent: Tuesday, October 04, 2005 1:08 PM

>To: nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org

>Subject: Dry Fork Branch

>

>   I am a new member and plan to visit Roanoke next week and see if I can

>find the data I need, but your input would be very helpfull.  I am

>trying to find a location to model.  I now have focused my attention on

>the cut off between Iaeger, south east to the clinch valley district.

>The Dry fork branch.  I plan to model operation's as close to the

>prototype as possible.  I am working with some experienced operator's so

>I will have help evaluating the line.  I have been unable to find out

>much about it.

>    To keep it simple at first, what kind of traffic did the line see.

>Time can change but the 70's or early 80's info would be best.

>    Thanks Tim

>

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