Who Pulled the Strings on the Classification of Tidewater Coal?

[nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org]

Coal classifications were determined by the mine operators.  The classification was determined by the amount of alloys in it, such as sulfur, etc.  The final customer determined what kind of coal they needed, ergo the blending process (1 part this, 2 parts that, ad-infinitum).  That was done by the appropriate classifications at the appropriate time to get the right mix in the collier's hold.  The Transportation Department maintained an employee known as a  mine rating commissioner, but that did not have anything to do with the class of coal.  The various mine operators would name the classifications which signified their content and that was treated as a trade secret for competition's purposes.  The actual blending at the pier was the responsibility of the piermaster and staff.  The storage placement of the various classifications in their cars until dumping was the responsibility of the yardmaster.  Since this was the N&W's major cash register, it should be easy to see why so much executive concentration was there.       Don Corbin     
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org 
  To: nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org 
  Sent: Thursday, March 24, 2005 11:33 PM
  Subject: Who Pulled the Strings on the Classification of Tidewater Coal?


  There are very few railroad questions which I failed to ask my father, but here is one.  Probably the only Lister who can answer it is Senator Bundy.

  So here goes, Harry.  Get ready.

  Who, on the N&W, administered the classification of pier coal?  

  Bluefield switched and classified coal.  Crewe switched and classified coal.  And Roanoke switched and classified coal, and after 1959, Roanoke performed this function at TWO yards.

  So, who was the Comp'ny's grand mind who oversaw all this?  Who coordinated the movement of coal toward given vessel berthing dates, and coordinated how much of the classification (blocking) work would be done at Bluefield, how much at Roanoke and how much at Crewe?

  Crank up your crystal ball, Harry...  You're standing in for my father on this one.

  -- abram burnett


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