Pokey Places

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Grant,
Just wanted to compliment you once again on your convention presentation.
Your knowledge of Pokey operations is tremendous and your layout is
fantastic.  Don't understand exactly why you chose not to model the best
branch in your area, but at least you left something for me to do ;^).
Your information rekindled my passion for understanding how things worked
in the area and of course I now have more questions which I will attempt
not to overwhelm you with.
Warning: the following contains my conjecture from which I am hoping to get
the correct information.
My first question is about a location or locations known as Hale's Bottom
and or Pinhook (?Penhook ? Pin Hook ? Pen Hook).   Are these different
names for the same location?  If not where were they?  My Guess:  Hale's
Bottom referred to the broad, flat area seen in several posed shots from
the period of electrification showing a broad curve at the base of a hill
next to what appears to be a large farm field.  Further, I suspect that
?Pinhook? was the railroad designation the control point East of the field
described above.  What was the significance of this point to operations?
After hearing your and Chris's comments on how backed-up Bluefield yard
could get throughout the decades, it seems that this would be the last
point that heavy trains could be stopped and held out of the yard on what
appears to be a fairly level grade on which they might stand a decent
chance of being able to re-start and continue their climb into the yard.
This of course begs the question as to when thing were really plugged up,
where were the previous places that trains were held waiting to be able to
get into the yard.
Any and all comments from those knowledgeable will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Jim Cochran
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