CSX Transportation Historical Society

-->

C&O Decades of Change - Logan, Buffalo, Gilbert, and Island Creek SD

Rail Fan Adventure --

1. The Buffalo SD goes to the left and the Logan SD continues on up the river to the right. The operator was only on duty here part of the time. I think this was taken on a weekend, therefore the train order signals are clear on both sides. Note the unusual (for C&O) triangular configured block signal for trains coming down the Logan SD side. 06-25-1972. C&O Logan, Buffalo, IC SD.
The Buffalo SD goes to the left and the Logan SD continues on up the river to the right. The operator was only on duty here part of the time. I think this was taken on a weekend, therefore the train order signals are clear on both sides. Note the unusual (for C&O) triangular configured block signal for trains coming down the Logan SD side. 06-25-1972. C&O Logan, Buffalo, IC SD.

2. C&O Logan, Buffalo, IC SD. View 2.
C&O Logan, Buffalo, IC SD. View 2.

3. A westbound mine run comes down the Buffalo SD at Robinette WV, past the post office. C&O 5863-6013 power one of several mine runs that will be needed daily to work all of the mines on Buffalo Creek. Note the “red dog” spread out as road material. “Red dog” was slate that was the result of spontaneous combustion in coal refuse dumps...like the one in the background being reclaimed. It makes excellent secondary road material. The structure was probably a company store/office at one time. 10-24-1977. C&O Logan, Buffalo, IC SD.
A westbound mine run comes down the Buffalo SD at Robinette WV, past the post office. C&O 5863-6013 power one of several mine runs that will be needed daily to work all of the mines on Buffalo Creek. Note the “red dog” spread out as road material. “Red dog” was slate that was the result of spontaneous combustion in coal refuse dumps...like the one in the background being reclaimed. It makes excellent secondary road material. The structure was probably a company store/office at one time. 10-24-1977. C&O Logan, Buffalo, IC SD.

4. Extra 5863 West passes the east end of the empty car supply tracks for the Amhearst Coal’s No. 1 Plant at Braeholm. Becco was an acronym for Buffalo Eagle Coal Co. which evidently had a mine here at one time. 10-24-1977. C&O Logan, Buffalo, IC SD.
Extra 5863 West passes the east end of the empty car supply tracks for the Amhearst Coal’s No. 1 Plant at Braeholm. Becco was an acronym for Buffalo Eagle Coal Co. which evidently had a mine here at one time. 10-24-1977. C&O Logan, Buffalo, IC SD.

5. U30B 8205 with U25B 8102 pass Wylo with an eastbound “N&W Shifter”. The Elk Creek SD diverges toward us. After being inactive for many years, Ramco Coal is building a new loadout on Elk Creek. 04-30-1978. C&O Logan, Buffalo, IC SD.
U30B 8205 with U25B 8102 pass Wylo with an eastbound “N&W Shifter”. The Elk Creek SD diverges toward us. After being inactive for many years, Ramco Coal is building a new loadout on Elk Creek. 04-30-1978. C&O Logan, Buffalo, IC SD.

6. After leaving their empties at the West Gilbert tipple, Extra 8205 crosses the Guyandotte River. This is N&W track from West Gilbert to Gilbert Yard. VGN never used it for anything, but undoubtedly wanted it in place to obstruct C&O expansion on up the river. It worked. It is still in place although inactive for many years. C&O Logan, Buffalo, IC SD.
After leaving their empties at the West Gilbert tipple, Extra 8205 crosses the Guyandotte River. This is N&W track from West Gilbert to Gilbert Yard. VGN never used it for anything, but undoubtedly wanted it in place to obstruct C&O expansion on up the river. It worked. It is still in place although inactive for many years. C&O Logan, Buffalo, IC SD.

7. The “N&W Shifter” gets ready to depart N&W’s Gilbert Yard with loads from various “joint” mines along the Guyandotte River between here and Itmann. C&O Logan, Buffalo, IC SD.
The “N&W Shifter” gets ready to depart N&W’s Gilbert Yard with loads from various “joint” mines along the Guyandotte River between here and Itmann. C&O Logan, Buffalo, IC SD.

8. The “N&W Shifter” pauses at West Gilbert to pull loads from the tipple. C&O Logan, Buffalo, IC SD.
The “N&W Shifter” pauses at West Gilbert to pull loads from the tipple. C&O Logan, Buffalo, IC SD.

9. Monitor Jct. is just geographically west of downtown Logan. Here the Island Creek SD (foreground) splits with the Logan & Southern SD (right). These signals weren’t replaced recently and are still in service although badly in need of paint. I think FD Cabin controlled these under authority of the dispatcher at Peach Creek. C&O Logan, Buffalo, IC SD.
Monitor Jct. is just geographically west of downtown Logan. Here the Island Creek SD (foreground) splits with the Logan & Southern SD (right). These signals weren’t replaced recently and are still in service although badly in need of paint. I think FD Cabin controlled these under authority of the dispatcher at Peach Creek. C&O Logan, Buffalo, IC SD.

10. This train appears to be heading up the Whitman SD with empties, although I can’t imagine why I didn’t follow it for more shots. 3910-8227 have it under control on 06-17-1978. Back in the “roaring” ‘20s a cut of loaded hoppers got loose from a tipple up Whitman Creek. I don’t have the report handy, but the cars rolled down the steep branch at high speed and collided with a passenger train stopped here. There were fatalities. C&O Logan, Buffalo, IC SD.
This train appears to be heading up the Whitman SD with empties, although I can’t imagine why I didn’t follow it for more shots. 3910-8227 have it under control on 06-17-1978. Back in the “roaring” ‘20s a cut of loaded hoppers got loose from a tipple up Whitman Creek. I don’t have the report handy, but the cars rolled down the steep branch at high speed and collided with a passenger train stopped here. There were fatalities. C&O Logan, Buffalo, IC SD.

All for tonight.

Train images used by permission of Everett N Young