CSX - NF&G Rainelle to Meadow Creek, 3-30-12
Rail Fan Adventure --
On Friday morning, May 30th, Bob Jackson, Ron Piskor and I drove from Hawks Nest State Park at Ansted over to Rainelle to check out the former NF&G. Approaching Rainelle on US 60 we picked up mine run H802-30 talking on the scanner. We photographed repainted "Chessie" caboose 903503 on display at the town hall. Nearby we shot a couple of vintage 1947 C&O boxcars used as an addition to a warehouse near the site of the old depot. More on those later.
1. CSX 876-667 amble by the small storage track near the former site of JD Cabin behind the Dairy Queen.
![CSX 876-667 amble by the small storage track near the former site of JD Cabin behind the Dairy Queen.](../images/csxnfgrainelletomeadowcreek20120330/01RAIN1.jpg)
![CSX 876-667 amble by the small storage track near the former site of JD Cabin behind the Dairy Queen.](../images/csxnfgrainelletomeadowcreek20120330/02RAIN2.jpg)
3. Former car shop and storage track at Rainelle looking railroad west. Rainelle really didn't have a "yard" as we know it...just a storage siding here and there.
![Former car shop and storage track at Rainelle looking railroad west](../images/csxnfgrainelletomeadowcreek20120330/03RAIN3.jpg)
4. Jib crane at the former car repair shop. Looking toward the US 60 crossing and old JD Cabin. H802-30 has backed onto his train.
![Jib crane at the former car repair shop.](../images/csxnfgrainelletomeadowcreek20120330/04RAIN4.jpg)
5. CSX 876-667 are leaving town for Meadow Creek. Engines 450-461 are shut down.
![CSX 876-667 are leaving town for Meadow Creek.](../images/csxnfgrainelletomeadowcreek20120330/05RAIN5.jpg)
6. H802 eastbound passes "Woody" on the outskirts of Rainelle. Ron, Bob and I discussed doing some maintenance on these few remaining standard C&O station signs next year.
![H802 eastbound passes 'Woody' on the outskirts of Rainelle.](../images/csxnfgrainelletomeadowcreek20120330/06RAIN6.jpg)
7. H802 assaults the steep grade up to Springdale with 37 loads.
![H802 assaults the steep grade up to Springdale with 37 loads.](../images/csxnfgrainelletomeadowcreek20120330/07RAIN7.jpg)
8. The summit gained, H802 pokes through the cut at Springdale before crossing the state highway.
![The summit gained, H802 pokes through the cut at Springdale before crossing the state highway.](../images/csxnfgrainelletomeadowcreek20120330/08RAIN8.jpg)
9. H802 starts the drop to the New River. This site was formerly known as "Top Siding."
![H802 starts the drop to the New River.](../images/csxnfgrainelletomeadowcreek20120330/09RAIN9.jpg)
10. CSX 876-667 slowly tread through Meadow Bridge. Here's another sign that needs attention. That's a storage siding on the left.
![CSX 876-667 slowly tread through Meadow Bridge.](../images/csxnfgrainelletomeadowcreek20120330/10RAIN10.jpg)
11. H802 approaches the road crossing at the bottom of the Claypool loops. Here the old alignment (two switchbacks) tied in with the newer alignment (two loops).
![H802 approaches the road crossing at the bottom of the Claypool loops.](../images/csxnfgrainelletomeadowcreek20120330/11RAIN11.jpg)
12. The Sewell Valley Subdivision sticks to the south side of Claypool Creek the rest of the way down to Meadow Bridge. The railroad hugs the stream.
![The Sewell Valley Subdivision sticks to the south side of Claypool Creek the rest of the way down to Meadow Bridge.](../images/csxnfgrainelletomeadowcreek20120330/12RAIN12.jpg)
13. The only station or location given is Dondale.
![The only station or location given is Dondale.](../images/csxnfgrainelletomeadowcreek20120330/13RAIN13.jpg)
14. We forget about this scenic waterfall every year, so the result is a grab shot.
![We forget about this scenic waterfall every year, so the result is a grab shot.](../images/csxnfgrainelletomeadowcreek20120330/14RAIN14.jpg)
15. H802 arrives at "Wendy", the acronym for the west end of the wye at Meadow Creek. The New River excursion trains used to turn here.
![H802 arrives at 'Wendy', the acronym for the west end of the wye at Meadow Creek.](../images/csxnfgrainelletomeadowcreek20120330/15RAIN15.jpg)
16. Ron Piskor (left) and Bob Jackson (right) capture the operation for posterity.
![Ron Piskor (left) and Bob Jackson (right) capture the operation for posterity.](../images/csxnfgrainelletomeadowcreek20120330/16RAIN16.jpg)
17. H802 parks its 37 loads at Meadow Creek yard to await pickup by a main line train.
![H802 parks its 37 loads at Meadow Creek yard to await pickup by a main line train.](../images/csxnfgrainelletomeadowcreek20120330/17RAIN17.jpg)
We then headed on over to CW Cabin and Hinton. More on that later.
Train images used by permission of Everett N Young
last update - 26 Aug 2012