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Couple of Questions--SW VA Coal Country

A archdalecurveOGR Forum Member

Got a couple of questions concerning railfanning in the coal country of Southwest Virginia area.  I've railfanned the former Clinchfield to Frisco, TN and Big Stone Gap, VA, the former Southern to slightly north of Norton, VA.  With coal changing on almost a daily basis, I wish to get back in the hills and take more photos before it gets too late.  My questions are as follows:

 

1)  anyone from the forum ever railfan from Norton, VA to Bluefield, WV (NS) and from Frisco, TN toward Shelby, KY (CSX) along with any branch lines?

 

2)  anyone riding the NS excursion from Bristol, VA to Bulls Gap, TN.  Debating on riding on Saturday or chasing.  I may go up tomorrow to check out the area for photo opportunities.

 

3)  lastly, will anyone be attending Rail Days at Natural Tunnel State Park it July.  We attended the first one and we had a great time.

 

Any info on or off line will be appreciated.

Original Post
juniata guyjuniata guyOGR Forum Member SUPPORTING MEMBERDIGITAL SUBSCRIBER
I've not railfanned the former Clinchfield from Frisco to Shelby but, I have ridden over the route several times while working CSX's Santa Train.  Other than a branch line at Haysi, VA, there really aren't branch lines to speak of between these two points.  The coal that traverses the former Clinchfield mainly comes off the Big Sandy sub.

I'll also add that according to a recent Fred Frailey blog on the Trains Newswire, coal traffic has dropped so much that this line sees only a handful of trains most days. 

It would be a shame if traffic levels decline to a point where CSX decided to short line this piece of railroad.  It is one of the best engineered lines I have ever ridden across and the scenery along parts of the railroad, particularly through The Breaks, rivals just about any other area in the eastern U.S. including the New River Gorge.

Curt

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