Pokey operations

[NW Mailing List]

Gordon,
Can't speak to all facets of your question, but as to the name, there was a
turn out on the main (maybe more than one as I am looking for documentation
of a passing siding that may have existed) West of the water tank with a
spur that led down to the "bottom" where is "switched back" to service
mines along what is now at least route 52, can't remember the name of the
mines at the moment (covered well in Alex's book).  The down spur also
continued forward to go under the bridge to become the Angle branch also
followed the creek to the Wye near Elkhorn Colliery.  Shamokin was also
serviced down in the "bottom".
Jim Cochran

On Tue, Apr 19, 2022 at 7:37 AM NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>
wrote:

> Jim,
>
> I can't answer your questions, but I can interject one of my own.  The
> origin of the name Switchback has intrigued me.  The photos of the
> rather massive power plant on the hill above the mainline has made me
> wonder if there could have been a switchback track spur up to the power
> plant to deliver the massive machinery and building materials needed for
> construction of the power plant in an era when the railroad would have
> been the principal carrier of such items.  Also, how about coal
> deliveries by rail after the power plant was placed in operation, or did
> the plant's location give it direct access to a coal seam at that
> elevation?
>
> Gordon Hamilton
>
> On 4/18/2022 9:35 AM, NW Mailing List wrote:
> > Does anybody have any insight into operations at Switchback prior to
> > the late '40s realignment?  Coal loads would have to be rounded up
> > from the Angle branch, Shamokin and Elkhorn and then brought up to the
> > main West of the power house.  But how was the traffic controlled?  I
> > haven't seen any photos showing signals to stop either mainline or
> > mine movements.  How did they insure the main was clear when they came
> > up?  Also, if they "pulled" up from the bottom, the movement would be
> > pointed West.  Where did they go for assembly?  Did everything go West
> > to Byrd at North Fork or even on to Ecklmann?  Any and all thoughts
> > will be appreciated.  Not to name names, but I'm hoping Mr. Grant
> > might chime in on this one and perhaps Professor Schust.
> > Thanks,
> > Jim Cochran
> >
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