[N&W] Re: Norton

[nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org]

One interesting aspect of the 70's was that Norton had "run-thru" coal
trains.  The market for L&N's coal did exactly a 180 degree turn.  Coal
that moved via the Cincinnati gateway for the steel mills disappeared.
Instead, this coal found a market in the utility industry in the South.  L&N's
K&A Division (single track with passing sidings about 35 miles apart) became
congested.  Trains tied up on the Hours of Service Law.  As a remedy, L&N
began diverting coal to its subsidiary, Clinchfield.  L&N constructed a
connection
at St. Paul,  and secured trackage rights over the N&W for the 22-mile
segment between Norton - St. Paul.

      The meeting to set charges for L&N's trackage rights was convened at the
electric co-op building in Norton.  Seven N&W officials attended and seven
L&N officials attended.  When it got down to the nitty-gritty of dollars,
N&W's
Pokey Div. Superintendent went to the coffee stand, swiped a styrofoam cup
and whipped out a pack of Beech Nut.  N&W's Treasurer fainted dead away.

After completion of the connection at Big Stone Gap (between CSX and NS's
Appalachia Div.), it was no longer necessary for L&N (former) coal to bridge
the gap to the Clinchfield via Norton-St. Paul on the N&W.
                                                                       Harry 
Harry Bundy