CSX Transportation Historical Society

-->

NS - Williamson and Kenova Districts - 2020 - 2021

Rail Fan Adventure --

1. NS 4138-9159-7659 approach the “new” US 119/52 overpass at Borderland WV, with w/b intermodal No. 217 (Charlotte – Chicago-Calumet) on 09-23-2020. That’s “old” US 52 on the left.
NS 4138-9159-7659 approach the “new” US 119/52 overpass at Borderland WV, with w/b intermodal No. 217 (Charlotte – Chicago-Calumet) on 09-23-2020. That’s “old” US 52 on the left.

2. Most of the rest of my shots were taken on a very productive (these days) 11-05-2021 when I took a day of vacation to spend on the Williamson District east of Vulcan. Cab 555670 was parked in the center siding at Vulcan. It had probably been used on a work train or as a pushing platform up the Delorme Branch. Notice the “WE”. Evidently it had been used by the “new” Wheeling & Lake Erie. Originally it was N&W class C31 518670 built 1-1970. Vulcan WV.
Most of the rest of my shots were taken on a very productive (these days) 11-05-2021 when I took a day of vacation to spend on the Williamson District east of Vulcan. Cab 555670 was parked in the center siding at Vulcan. It had probably been used on a work train or as a pushing platform up the Delorme Branch. Notice the “WE”. Evidently it had been used by the “new” Wheeling & Lake Erie. Originally it was N&W class C31 518670 built 1-1970. Vulcan WV.

3. NS 4076-7701 come west by Beech Creek with w/b J42-05. This 107-car coal train originated at Coronado Coal’s Buchanan Mine at Page VA, and is destined for NS’s Wheelersburg OH barge terminal. The coal is for U. S. Steel’s coke plant at Clairton PA, via the Ohio and Monongahela River. Beech Creek WV.
NS 4076-7701 come west by Beech Creek with w/b J42-05. This 107-car coal train originated at Coronado Coal’s Buchanan Mine at Page VA, and is destined for NS’s Wheelersburg OH barge terminal. The coal is for U. S. Steel’s coke plant at Clairton PA, via the Ohio and Monongahela River. Beech Creek WV.

4. NS Retaining wall near Beech Creek WV.
NS Retaining wall near Beech Creek WV.

5. At Ought One (Looney’s Curve) I found this unusual sight. A funeral would soon be in progress, and the family had brought the vault to this remote location. Soon more family and friends would show up to help dig the grave. That’s an old Appalachian tradition. Ought One WV.
At Ought One (Looney’s Curve) I found this unusual sight. A funeral would soon be in progress, and the family had brought the vault to this remote location. Soon more family and friends would show up to help dig the grave. That’s an old Appalachian tradition. Ought One WV.

6. NS 1825-4010 approaches Ought One with e/b No. 392-04 (Portsmouth – Winston-Salem). Ought One WV.
NS 1825-4010 approaches Ought One with e/b No. 392-04 (Portsmouth – Winston-Salem). Ought One WV.

7. NS 1825-4010. View 2. Ought One WV.
NS 1825-4010. View 2. Ought One WV.

8. NS 1825-4010 No. 392-04 has 85 loads and 7 empties this day. Ought One WV.
NS 1825-4010 No. 392-04 has 85 loads and 7 empties this day. Ought One WV.

9. NS DPU 4446 is cut in behind 51 cars and ahead of 41. The “AC44C6M” was rebuilt to an AC by Wabtec/GE Fort Worth 03-2021 from GE Dash9-44CW 9229 (built 05-1998). (I hated those GE model designations preferring to call them just a “C44W.) Ought One WV.
NS DPU 4446 is cut in behind 51 cars and ahead of 41. The “AC44C6M” was rebuilt to an AC by Wabtec/GE Fort Worth 03-2021 from GE Dash9-44CW 9229 (built 05-1998). (I hated those GE model designations preferring to call them just a “C44W.) Ought One WV.

10. That’s the Buchanan Branch heading across the river to the right into a tunnel and Kentucky. NS 1825-4010. Ought One WV.
That’s the Buchanan Branch heading across the river to the right into a tunnel and Kentucky. NS 1825-4010. Ought One WV.

11. NS advance approach signal (prepare to stop at 2nd signal) looking west on Main 1 at Ought One WV.
NS advance approach signal (prepare to stop at 2nd signal) looking west on Main 1 at Ought One WV.

12. NS 4121-8076 have 19M-04 (Crewe VA – Elkhart IN) with 19 loads and 62 empties. Ought One WV.
NS 4121-8076 have 19M-04 (Crewe VA – Elkhart IN) with 19 loads and 62 empties. Ought One WV.

13. NS 4121-8076. View 2. Ought One WV.
NS 4121-8076. View 2. Ought One WV.

14. NS “AC44C6M” 4273 DPU was formerly Dash8-44CW 8986 built 04-1996 and rebuilt 02-2019 at Altoona. Ought One WV.
NS “AC44C6M” 4273 DPU was formerly Dash8-44CW 8986 built 04-1996 and rebuilt 02-2019 at Altoona. Ought One WV.

15. NS 4154-9572 are w/b at Beech Creek WV with 353-04 (Linwood-Portsmouth). Today they have 58 loads and 100 empties.
NS 4154-9572 are w/b at Beech Creek WV with 353-04 (Linwood-Portsmouth). Today they have 58 loads and 100 empties.

16. NS 4145 DPU is cut in behind 76 and ahead of 82 cars. Formerly it was Dash9-44CW 8892 built 01-1996. GE Fort Worth rebuilt it 03-2018. Beech Creek WV.
NS 4145 DPU is cut in behind 76 and ahead of 82 cars. Formerly it was Dash9-44CW 8892 built 01-1996. GE Fort Worth rebuilt it 03-2018. Beech Creek WV.

17. Shadows are growing long so I start inching west toward the Vulcan bridge to head back to Pikeville. NS 3647-9820-4280 rumble east with 18M-04 (Elkhart IN – Crewe VA). Today 18M has 75 loads and 24 empties. Cedar WV.
Shadows are growing long so I start inching west toward the Vulcan bridge to head back to Pikeville. NS 3647-9820-4280 rumble east with 18M-04 (Elkhart IN – Crewe VA). Today 18M has 75 loads and 24 empties. Cedar WV.

18. NS 8071 DPU is cut in behind 47 and ahead of 52 cars. No. 8071 is an ES44AC built 01-2011 when NS finally wised up to AC traction locomotives. Cedar WV.
NS 8071 DPU is cut in behind 47 and ahead of 52 cars. No. 8071 is an ES44AC built 01-2011 when NS finally wised up to AC traction locomotives. Cedar WV.

19. NS 8071 DPU. View 2. Cedar WV.
NS 8071 DPU. View 2. Cedar WV.

20. NS clear signal at Cedar WV. The light is about gone, so I reluctantly leave this promising opportunity.
NS clear signal at Cedar WV. The light is about gone, so I reluctantly leave this promising opportunity.

21. NS 7683-8114 wait for a crew to depart Williamson WV on w/b 51Z-11 (Winston-Salem – Fostoria) with 85 grain empties. 11-12-2021.
NS 7683-8114 wait for a crew to depart Williamson WV on w/b 51Z-11 (Winston-Salem – Fostoria) with 85 grain empties. 11-12-2021.

22. NS 8114 “Norfolk Southern” heritage unit is an ES44AC built 03-2012. View 2. Williamson WV.
NS 8114 “Norfolk Southern” heritage unit is an ES44AC built 03-2012. Williamson WV.

23. A little darker view might bring out some more detail. NS 8114. View 3. Williamson WV.
A little darker view might bring out some more detail. NS 8114. View 3. Williamson WV.

24. NS 8114. View 4. Williamson WV.
NS 8114. View 4. Williamson WV.

25. I wasn’t ready in time to catch e/b 392-12 (Portsmouth – Winston-Salem) coming at me behind 4256-1816-1081. They slowed through the yard but didn’t change crews. NS 4256-1816-1081. Williamson WV.
I wasn’t ready in time to catch e/b 392-12 (Portsmouth – Winston-Salem) coming at me behind 4256-1816-1081. They slowed through the yard but didn’t change crews. NS 4256-1816-1081. Williamson WV.

26. I beat 392-12 up to Rawl. Today they have 78 loads and 13 empties including 40 loaded auto racks for Walkersville NC and 5 covered hoppers of ammonium nitrate to set off at Caples (Farm) for Pageton. The ammonium nitrate is explosive that will used at surface mines in the head of Gary hollow. The autos would have previously been handled on train 272 which has been abolished. NS 4256-1816-1081. Rawl WV.
I beat 392-12 up to Rawl. Today they have 78 loads and 13 empties including 40 loaded auto racks for Walkersville NC and 5 covered hoppers of ammonium nitrate to set off at Caples (Farm) for Pageton. The ammonium nitrate is explosive that will used at surface mines in the head of Gary hollow. The autos would have previously been handled on train 272 which has been abolished. NS 4256-1816-1081. Rawl WV.

All for now.

Train images used by permission of Everett N Young