Late 40's re-alignment on Elkhorn grade

[NW Mailing List]

Alex,
Thanks a million, er, I mean a Billion, for the map.  It is fantastic!  I
am going to try to continue overlaying map segments East and West of this
one and your critique will be invaluable.
Thank again,
Jim Cochran


On Sat, Jul 12, 2014 at 7:46 AM, NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>
wrote:

> Jim,
>
>
>
> I have attached a piece of a coal company map of the power plant at
> Switchback circa 1914. I don’t have a clear map of where the switchback
> actually started, but it was some distance west of the power plant. The
> only comment I can make on your drawing is the siding near the power plant
> went in the opposite direction. My assumption would be the siding was put
> in when the N&W was working on the realignment between Lick Branch and
> Cooper(s).
>
>
>
> Alex Schust
>
>
>
> Moderator:
>  http://nwhs.org/mailinglist/2014/20140712.100-0002.jpg
>
>
>
> *From:* NW-Mailing-List [mailto:nw-mailing-list-bounces at nwhs.org] *On
> Behalf Of *NW Mailing List
> *Sent:* Friday, July 11, 2014 1:42 PM
> *To:* NW Mailing List
> *Subject:* Re: Late 40's re-alignment on Elkhorn grade
>
>
>
> Alex, All,
>
> Thanks for the information.  On the attached map of the stretch below the
> powerhouse at Switchback, I have attempted to "overlay" the old main (in
> blue) and the branches/spurs/sidings (in red).  Would very much appreciate
> it if you could take a look and feedback corrections, additions and
> comments.
>
> Thanks again,
>
> Jim Cochran
>
> Moderator:
>  http://nwhs.org/mailinglist/2014/20140711.powerhouse.pdf
>
>
>
> On Wed, Jul 9, 2014 at 11:10 AM, NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>
> wrote:
>
> There were multiple N&W Employee Magazine articles on the Elkhorn
> Tunnel/Elkhorn Grade realignment. – January 1948, November 1951, March 1952
> and other around the same time period.
>
>
>
> The old bridge at Landgraff served the coal mine, The main line was
> constructed on the opposite side of Elkhorn Creek (or at least was by 1904).
>
>
>
> Page 71 of “Billion Dollar Coalfield” (available from Commissary)
> photographs indicates old alignment and new alignment at Maybeury in
> 1949/1950. Mines in Barlow Hollow closed in 1944 and N&W removed tracks in
> 1945. Pg 80 of book shows new alignment in Barlow Hollow at location of
> former mine tipple.
>
>
>
> You can see a photo of main line going through Kyle on pg 107 of book.
> There were multiple changes to Elkhorn Creek during realignment.
>
>
>
> During the realignment the switch for the Angle Branch was moved to the
> opposite side of the main line and came down to Maybeury on the north side
> of the new bridge. Pg 90 of book shows original  alignment of Angle Branch.
>
>
>
> The power plant received coal directly from Delta Coal Mine. Originally
> there was no siding associated with power plant. A siding was built at some
> point to either bring new equipment for substation at power plant or during
> the realignment construction. I think it is still in place.
>
>
>
> Alex Schust
>
>
>
> *From:* NW-Mailing-List [mailto:nw-mailing-list-bounces at nwhs.org] *On
> Behalf Of *NW Mailing List
> *Sent:* Tuesday, July 08, 2014 11:25 AM
> *To:* NW Mailing List
> *Subject:* Late 40's re-alignment on Elkhorn grade
>
>
>
> In preparation for discontinuing electric operations with the opening of
> the new Elkhorn tunnel in 1950, several miles on the heavy grade were
> re-aligned to reduce curvature and rise.  I have read at least one article
> (may have been in Railway Age) giving an overview of this work that spanned
> several years showing a few pictures/diagrams of a few of the places where
> new cuts were made, bridges eliminated, etc.  I would like to get more
> detailed information and/or photos of exactly what changes were made during
> this project e.g. creek re-routings, U.S. 52 re-routings, all the places
> where the line was relocated, any sidings/branches that were eliminated,
> etc. etc.  There is an old bridge at Landgraff on the opposite side of 52
> from the present main that I assume was left from when the main was over
> there.  Also, down in Kyle bottom there are footers standing in someones
> front yard that again look like evidence of the old alignment.  I am
> especially interested in the changes at Switchback/Maybeury associated with
> new bridge and side swap up Barlow hollow.  It is still barely possible to
> see slide fence remnants (vertical rail segments) through the leaves/kudzoo
> to the North side of the present main near Switchback.  I assume the old
> main would have hugged the hill and been right next to this slide fence as
> it climbed past the power plant on its way to the old trestle.  I assume
> the Angel Branch would have left the main at some point along here, but
> would sure like to know exactly where.  Also, was there a siding associated
> with the power plant?
>
> Any information on this transformation will be greatly appreciated.
> Jim Cochran
>
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