North Fork Hollow Mine Run

[NW Mailing List]

On 12/4/2025 8:19 AM, NW Mailing List wrote:
> However, Grant's information suggests that the run pulled past the 
> trailing points turnout and then backed the empties into the holding 
> track.  What was the motivation for this?  Hauling a caboose around 
> through all these gyrations would have seemingly meant additional 
> moves to drop it off and pick it back up, so I am assuming (and yes, I 
> know what assuming can do) that these runs were cabooseless.

Jim,
First, the trains were not cabooseless! Where would the crew ride? 
Second, these crews have been switching out these plants for years and 
they know how best to do it! Trust me, they are not going to do it the 
hard way! What we don't know is everything that is on their list that 
needs to be done AND what the physical situation of cars left over in 
the tracks may be. Not knowing any of this, it is inconceivable to guess 
just how a plant needs to be switched on any given day. Sure, there is a 
basic system of working each place, but, that can easily change 
depending on what other work needs to be done.

Jimmy Lisle