CSX Transportation Historical Society

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C&O Decades of Change - Big Coal, Big Marsh Fork, and Cabin Creek SDs

Rail Fan Adventure --

When Bob Jackson was working out of Huntington as C&O bridge inspector, we spent one weekend touring various locations on West Virginia coal branches. The shots taken December 3 and 4, 1977 are the foundation for most of my coverage of that area during this time frame.

1. C&O 2309-8107-8133 await the call at Elk Run Jct. yard near Whitesville. 12-03-1977. Big Coal, Cabin Creek SD.
C&O 2309-8107-8133 await the call at Elk Run Jct. yard near Whitesville. 12-03-1977. Big Coal, Cabin Creek SD.

2. Big Coal, Cabin Creek SD. View 2.
Big Coal, Cabin Creek SD. View 2.

3. Notice camp car X-1. I think this coal dock is still there. Massey Coal built an enclosed belt line across the highway, river, and yard at this location to feed the Sylvester prep. plant. Big Coal, Cabin Creek SD.
Notice camp car X-1. I think this coal dock is still there. Massey Coal built an enclosed belt line across the highway, river, and yard at this location to feed the Sylvester prep. plant. Big Coal, Cabin Creek SD.

4. I’m confused about this one. Seems like the train was heading east (up the creek) at Montcoal, but I can’t explain those coal loads unless they were cleaner coal. 12-03-1977. Big Coal, Cabin Creek SD.
I’m confused about this one. Seems like the train was heading east (up the creek) at Montcoal, but I can’t explain those coal loads unless they were cleaner coal. 12-03-1977. Big Coal, Cabin Creek SD.

5. Extra 2309 arrives at Armco Steel’s new Sundial Mine at Edwight and starts switching at dusk. Big Coal, Cabin Creek SD.
Extra 2309 arrives at Armco Steel’s new Sundial Mine at Edwight and starts switching at dusk. Big Coal, Cabin Creek SD.

6. C&O 8133. Dusk. Big Coal, Cabin Creek SD.
C&O 8133. Dusk. Big Coal, Cabin Creek SD.

7. C&O 8133, view 2. Dusk. Big Coal, Cabin Creek SD.
C&O 8133, view 2. Dusk. Big Coal, Cabin Creek SD.

8. My first visit to Cane Fork Yard (Cabin Creek) on 06-20-1971. I took an introductory overnight weekend round trip through the WV coal counties visiting the places I had only read about in books. 5875, 5846 and 6095 are in this view. The yard was fairly large. Big Coal, Cabin Creek SD.
My first visit to Cane Fork Yard (Cabin Creek) on 06-20-1971. I took an introductory overnight weekend round trip through the WV coal counties visiting the places I had only read about in books. 5875, 5846 and 6095 are in this view. The yard was fairly large. Big Coal, Cabin Creek SD.

9. The signal on top of the coal tower and high mast signal were used to instruct the yard crew during weighing operations. 5780, 6258 and 5875 are in view. 06-20-1971. Big Coal, Cabin Creek SD.
The signal on top of the coal tower and high mast signal were used to instruct the yard crew during weighing operations. 5780, 6258 and 5875 are in view. 06-20-1971. Big Coal, Cabin Creek SD.

10. That’s the YMCA in the background. I suppose the yard office was in there, as it was in the later days. 06-20-1971. Big Coal, Cabin Creek SD.
That’s the YMCA in the background. I suppose the yard office was in there, as it was in the later days. 06-20-1971. Big Coal, Cabin Creek SD.

11. Same location at Cane Fork on 08-20-1973. 5882-5859 are in the view. The coal dock still served for dispensing sand. Big Coal, Cabin Creek SD.
Same location at Cane Fork on 08-20-1973. 5882-5859 are in the view. The coal dock still served for dispensing sand. Big Coal, Cabin Creek SD.

12. The engine house used to cover two more tracks. 08-30-1973. Big Coal, Cabin Creek SD.
The engine house used to cover two more tracks. 08-30-1973. Big Coal, Cabin Creek SD.

13. It is 12-27-74 and caboose A957 is still around. I rode along with Gene Huddleston and his father on this weekend trip just after Christmas. Big Coal, Cabin Creek SD.
It is 12-27-74 and caboose A957 is still around. I rode along with Gene Huddleston and his father on this weekend trip just after Christmas. Big Coal, Cabin Creek SD

All for now.

Train images used by permission of Everett N Young