Flat Top Re: multiple steam locomotives

[NW Mailing List]

Jim,

What Chris and Jim said.

As for filling out at Flat Top (Yards, VA/WV), any eastbound freight 
might stop because the ruling grade had dropped from 1.4% back at 
Elkhorn Tunnel to 1.22% ahead into Bluefield Yard.

The ETT called for eastbound local freights and mine runs to stop and 
fill out, specifically the Bluestone Local and Bluestone mine runs that 
set off westbound cars at Flat Top or nearby Mullins Middle Track.

However, eastbounds often did not stop or mine runs would set off their 
loads and run light back to Bluefield Yard if: that yard was busy, 
avoiding a short train from blocking off a yard track; the EB Main was 
busy; or the crew was running close on their time. Later, an Elkhorn 
crew with a Pokey Pusher would back out of Bluefield to Flat Top and 
pick up all east loads.

To All a Merry Christmas,

Grant Carpenter

On 11/22/2023 8:51 PM, NW Mailing List wrote:
> I remember seeing them run "test trains" with one Y6b when they were 
> deciding what tonnage rating was possible after the new tunnel went 
> into service. BTW: as compared to Blue Ridge, they never used double 
> headers on the head end, and they never used A's on coal trains.
>
> Jim Nichols
>
> Jim,
> I’d say your “typical” 1950’s  Eastbound Pokey mainline coal train 
> would be a Y6b, 80 coal loads and another Y6b pushing on the rear.  
> According to the Dressler/King USRA 2-8-8-2 Book all the Y6’s assigned 
> to Bluefield for maintenance were Y6b’s except for the 2162 which was 
> a Y6a.  Bringing 80 loads up the mountain is nothing to sneeze at, 
> considering that these days two Evolution ES44AC’s can bring 70 loads 
> over Elkhorn.  I hope this was the sort of answer you were looking 
> for.  Happy Thanksgiving All!!
> Thank Ya’n Out,
> Chris Dalton
> Bluefield, WV
> > 
> > Grant and everyone,
> > From the opening of the new Elkhorn tunnel until dieselization, what 
> would have been the "usual" power on a heavy coal drag from Farm into 
> Bluefield?  Seems like there may have been some train length changes 
> going on at Yards due to the change in profile, but would the power 
> have been analogous to what was used to tackle Blue Ridge?
> > Thanks,
> > Jim Cochran
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