CSX Transportation Historical Society

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CSX R614 Loading At Lynch 3

Rail Fan Adventure --

We resume March 20, 2025, watching Corbin-Lynch 3 mine run R614-19 as the 110-car train is loaded with export coal for Newport News.

1. R614-19 arrives at the Lynch #3 mine of Bluegrass Natural Resources LLC near Cumberland KY.
R614-19 arrives at the Lynch #3 mine of Bluegrass Natural Resources LLC near Cumberland KY.

2. That's far enough to allow room for the engines. In the background is the blue Cave Branch preparation plant, which delivers the coal to the stockpile and then the loadout via a long conveyor belt.
That's far enough to allow room for the engines. In the background is the blue Cave Branch preparation plant, which delivers the coal to the stockpile and then the loadout via a long conveyor belt.

3. The engines return through the old U. S. Steel Lynch #2 loadout.
The engines return through the old U. S. Steel Lynch #2 loadout.

4. CSX 1835 - 32. Lynch 3 mine.
CSX 1835-32. Lynch 3 mine.

5. R214 backs toward the loadout.
R214 backs toward the loadout.

6. CSX 1836 - 32. Lynch 3 mine.
CSX 1836 - 32. Lynch 3 mine.

7. Almost ready to commence loading.
lmost ready to commence loading.

8. "RF&P" 1836 is ex-3055, an ES44AH built 06-2012.
"RF&P" 1836 is ex-3055, an ES44AH built 06-2012.

9. CSX 1836. Lynch 3 mine.
CSX 1836. Lynch 3 mine.

10. The telescoping chute is down and loading the second car.
The telescoping chute is down and loading the second car.

11. Our inside connection (Tim Turner) allows us to visit the control room. Kanawha Scales & Systems erected this new batch weigh loadout to replace an earlier one up the hollow nearer to the plant. We were amazed how clean this room was. Dust is under control.
Our inside connection (Tim Turner) allows us to visit the control room. Kanawha Scales & Systems erected this new batch weigh loadout to replace an earlier one up the hollow nearer to the plant. We were amazed how clean this room was. Dust is under control.

12. Kanawha Scales calls this the BatchMaster train loading/reporting package.
Kanawha Scales calls this the BatchMaster train loading/reporting package.

13. Bluegrass Resources. Lynch 3 mine. Scale readout.
Bluegrass Resources. Lynch 3 mine. Scale readout.

14. The 13th car -- CSX 303584 -- is being loaded. The BatchMaster screen tells the operator and train conductor that the gross allowable and target is 231,300 lbs for all of the cars in the train. The previous car was loaded with 230,700 or 600 lbs under. The load limit on these tubs is around 236,000 lbs. Tubs were being filled in about two minutes. If loaded to the target amount, this 110-car train would have 12,721 tons of Harlan County metallurgical coal heading to Tidewater.
The 13th car -- CSX 303584 -- is being loaded. The BatchMaster screen tells the operator and train conductor that the gross allowable and target is 231,300 lbs for all of the cars in the train. The previous car was loaded with 230,700 or 600 lbs under. The load limit on these tubs is around 236,000 lbs. Tubs were being filled in about two minutes. If loaded to the target amount, this 110-car train would have 12,721 tons of Harlan County metallurgical coal heading to Tidewater.

15. CSX 1836-32. Lynch 3 mine.
CSX 1836-32. Lynch 3 mine.

16. Crossing KY 179.
Crossing KY 179.

17. A new crew would soon take R614 back to Corbin with "RF&P" 1836. It was getting late, and Christian and I had to drive home. We thanked Tim and Micah Turner for the great experience of watching a unit coal train load up close.
A new crew would soon take R614 back to Corbin with "RF&P" 1836. It was getting late, and Christian and I had to drive home. We thanked Tim and Micah Turner for the great experience of watching a unit coal train load up close.

For more information, go to bluegrassnbr.com. Kanawha Scales & Service has a great website showing the workings of a rail batchloader.

Train images used by permission of Everett N Young