Norfolk & Western Branch Line Series

NW Mailing List nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org
Sun Dec 30 23:54:00 EST 2012


The current main is not the original, although many of us cannot figure why they
didn't go that way the first time, since it is "water level". The original main
still exists from Kenova to Wayne, but The part from Wayne east was abandoned in
the 1930's and is now a highway.

Jim Nichols




________________________________
From: NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>
To: NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>
Sent: Sun, December 30, 2012 8:00:26 PM
Subject: Re: Norfolk & Western Branch Line Series


Alex,

Thank you greatly for the info! I'm a sucker for the history of any branch line,
operating or abandoned. I'm really looking forward to the Dry Fork Branch book,
I've railfanned the Dry Fork several time and have always enjoyed it. I am also
very interested in coal operations and branches that are down to Clinch Valley.
I am also in the process of reading Mason's Pocahontas Division book, and need
to order a copy of Billion dollar coalfield.


This brings me to a different question. Was there at one time a different track
profile for the Mainline between Naugatuck and Kenova? I get the feeling that
the current Main was built as more of a 'Belt line' or 'Low grade'.



Thanks in advance gang,

Nate





On Sun, Dec 30, 2012 at 11:53 AM, NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>
wrote:

We expect to have Dry Fork Branch (Iaeger to Cedar Bluff) published in the
winter of 2013. It will also cover Caretta Branch, Jacobs Fork Branch, Cucumber
Branch, War Creek Spur and Beech Fork Branch.

> 

>Both Spice Creek and Clear Fork Branches are covered in “Billion Dollar

>Coalfield” available from the commissary. Spice Creek ran from Roderfield to

>Premier along what is now US Rt 52 ( about 4.5 miles in length). It was

>constructed in 1907 and operated into 1988. It served about 5 coal tipples.

>Clear Fork Branch went under construction in 1903 and the N&W took it over in

>1904. By that time the right-of-way had been graded and most of the bridges had

>been built. The branch line served three tipples north of Coalwood, the Olga No.

>1 shaft mine and the tipple at Six. All mines were opened by the Carter Coal Co.

>The tracks were removed in 1959.

> 

>We are considering a multiple Branch Line book that will cover Dans Branch, King

>Branch, Superior Branch, Twin Branch, Spice Creek, Clear Fork and Four Pole

>Spur. With the exception of Clear Fork and Spice Creek all of the other

>branches/spurs are short. This would complete all of the branch line sin

>McDowell County WV.

> 

>Branch line books are dependent on how much material we can find in the NWHS

>Archives. As an example for the Dry Fork Branch line book we were able to locate

>at the archives the original Iaeger & Southern accounts when the railroad was

>built by W.M. Ritter Lumber Company, the N&W construction accounts, multiple

>siding agreements and about 90 Field Note Books.

>

> 

>Alex Schust  

> 

> 

> 

> 

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

>On Behalf Of NW Mailing List

>Sent: Saturday, December 29, 2012 11:00 PM

>To: NWHS

>Subject: Norfolk & Western Branch Line Series

> 

>Hey guys,

>What other N&W Branch line books are planned?

>I have the three that are currently published and greatly enjoy them, and am

>curious as to what else is in store. In the mean time here are several branches

>that I am interested in know a little more about.

>

>Spice Creek branch, When was it built, where did it go, when was it abandoned?

>Clear Fork branch, I know this branch served Coalwood, but was that it? when was

>it pulled out, where did it leave the main, and what else did ti serve?

>Mate Creek Branch, When was the mate Creek branch built, how many mines did it

>serve? In recent times the Switch to the branch was pulled (in fact the switch

>panels can bee seen on Google maps), but the Switch heater as well as the switch

>machine were left where they were, and the distant signal on the branch at MC 1

>was still lit. So what is going on? Is the branch in the process of abandonment,

>or is the switch to be replaced?

>Nate

>

>--

>Nathan Simmons

>trainman51 at gmail.com

>http://www.t-51.org

>KI4MSK

>

>01/20/2017

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>



--
Nathan Simmons
trainman51 at gmail.com
http://www.t-51.org
KI4MSK

01/20/2017
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