CSX Transportation Historical Society

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Following a "Bardo" in Harlan Co

Rail Fan Adventure --

From the former Cumberland Valley Division area of the L&N.  


CSX AC44s 242-380 have just left Loyall Yard and are crossing the Cumberland River at Baxter, Ky.
1. CSX AC44s 242-380 have just left Loyall Yard and are crossing the Cumberland River at Baxter, Ky.  This mine run is heading to Bardo, a mine at the head of Catron's Creek.  March 21, 2008
 
CSX 242 arrives at Dressen, the junction of the Catron's Creek Br. and the CV main just south of downtown Harlan.
2. CSX 242 arrives at Dressen, the junction of the Catron's Creek Br. and the CV main just south of downtown Harlan.  The conductor unlocks the switch. 
 
242 heads up the Catron's Creek Br.
3. 242 heads up the Catron's Creek Br.  I guess a utility brakeman got the switch back.
 
242 winds through Keeman, a bedroom community of Harlan.
4. 242 winds through Keeman, a bedroom community of Harlan.  This is about a mile up the branch. 
 
242 slowly moves upgrade near Mary Alice, Ky.
5. 242 slowly moves upgrade near Mary Alice, Ky., through a nice residential neighborhood. 
 
Going away shot near Mary Alice.
6. Going away shot near Mary Alice.  This train consists of 48 GALX (Georgia Power) empties. 
 
Crossing the creek on a small trestle at Stanfill, Ky.
7. Crossing the creek on a small trestle at Stanfill, Ky.
 
The grade picks up, but that's no problem for the ACs. The spur to the old Bardo tipple branched off to the left and crossed the highway. 
8. The grade picks up, but that's no problem for the ACs.  The spur to the old Bardo tipple branched off to the left and crossed the highway.  I'm past the last house, and the coal company guard house is a short distance ahead. 
 
This is the Bardo loadout at Liggett as it appeared in November 1993.
9. This is the Bardo loadout at Liggett as it appeared in November 1993 just after the branch had been re-activated.  Bluestone Coal of Beckley, W.Va., is now shown as the operator.
 
  CSX 265-574 leave Bardo with shifter C821 on Sept. 23, 2004. 
10. CSX 265-574 leave Bardo with shifter C821 on Sept. 23, 2004. 
 
CSX C821 rolls through bucolic country at Stanfill.
11. CSX C821 rolls through bucolic country at Stanfill.
 
CSX C821 (Loyall #2 mine run) heads a train of CSCX (Consumer's Power) aluminum tubs northbound at Mary Alice.
12. CSX C821 (Loyall #2 mine run) heads a train of CSCX (Consumer's Power) aluminum tubs northbound at Mary Alice.
 
New GACX hoppers lettered "GATX" sit on the main at Loyall Yard waiting to head out to a mine. 3-21-08.
13. New GACX hoppers lettered "GATX" sit on the main at Loyall Yard waiting to head out to a mine.  3-21-08.
 
Former L&N depot at Lynch, Ky. March 21, 2008.
14. Former L&N depot at Lynch, Ky.  This has been restored as part of the coal museum.  All trackage within the former U. S. Steel-owned community was officially the Looney Creek Railroad and owned by USS.  Of course L&N operated over the track to serve the big mine.  March 21, 2008.
 
One of USS's S-2s, the 102, was left on the property as a display.
15. One of USS's S-2s, the 102, was left on the property as a display. 
 

 

Train images used by permission of Everett N Young

last update - 03 Mar 2013