CSX - Coal River District 11-18-2011
Rail Fan Adventure --
From Logan, I headed up Dingess Run and over Blair Mountain to the head of Coal River.
1. CSX 416-777starting to load a long unit train at Mingo-Logan Coal Company's Mountain Laurel Mine near Sharples. Sharples is actually in Logan County although in the Coal River District.
![CSX 416-777starting to load a long unit train at Mingo-Logan Coal Company's Mountain Laurel Mine near Sharples.](../images/csxcoalriverdist/01LICK1.jpg)
2. Going up Pond Fork of Coal River, I overtook CSX shifter H837-18 eastbound. Here it is passing the east end of the Jupiter Mine siding (a spring switch) at Kohlsaat.
![Going up Pond Fork of Coal River, I overtook CSX shifter H837-18 eastbound.](../images/csxcoalriverdist/02LICK3.jpg)
3. AC4400CWs 153-545 are trailing along. They will lead on the way back.
![AC4400CWs 153-545 are trailing along.](../images/csxcoalriverdist/03LICK4.jpg)
4. H837-18 nears the Rock Lick Mine. Shot from the WV 85 bridge.
![H837-18 nears the Rock Lick Mine.](../images/csxcoalriverdist/04LICK12.jpg)
5. H837-18 arrives at Rock Lick. One track has been removed. Eastern Associated/Peabody had a large GE center-cab switcher, but now CSX crews do the loading.
![H837-18 arrives at Rock Lick.](../images/csxcoalriverdist/05LICK13.jpg)
6. H837 pulls east along WV 85.
![H837 pulls east along WV 85.](../images/csxcoalriverdist/06LICK7.jpg)
7. H837 will come to a halt in a few feet. Ahead the track on up to the inactive Harris Mine is weed-covered and out of service.
![H837 will come to a halt in a few feet.](../images/csxcoalriverdist/07LICK8.jpg)
8. Patriot Coal's inactive Jupiter Mine at Kohlsaat, W.Va. Back in the '70s it was Island Creek Coal's Pond Fork Mine.
![Patriot Coal's inactive Jupiter Mine at Kohlsaat, W.Va.](../images/csxcoalriverdist/08LICK9.jpg)
9. Jupiter had renovated the old Island Creek plant after being inactive for many years. Jupiter had the capability to load a 130-car train in four hours. But don't be confused...those tubs are just stored on the long siding.
![Jupiter had renovated the old Island Creek plant after being inactive for many years.](../images/csxcoalriverdist/09LICK10.jpg)
10. I decided to head back home via reverse route through Sharples. CSX 416-777 were still loading on the huige train at Mountain Laurel Mine.
![CSX 416-777 were still loading on the huige train at Mountain Laurel Mine.](../images/csxcoalriverdist/10LICK11.jpg)
The shadows were covering the valleys and hollows, so I headed home.
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Train images used by permission of Everett N Young
last update - 25 Aug 2012