Norfolk & Western Branch Line Series

[NW Mailing List]

Nate 

   The Big Sandy Low Grade Line is covered in Richard Prince book " Norfolk and Western Railway-
Pocahontas Coal Carrier" all so E.F Pat Striplin book "The Norfolk and Western - A History" the latter
is available thru. the commissary

Larry Evans
Kenova, WV
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: NW Mailing List 
  To: NW Mailing List 
  Sent: Sunday, December 30, 2012 3:51 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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