CSX Transportation Historical Society

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Lynch KY and Coal Through The Years - 2

Rail Fan Adventure --

I didn’t get to Lynch until the late 1970s. International Harvester had sold the Benham mine, but United States Steel still operated Lynch. Stan Short, Bob Jackson, Ron Piskor, Lloyd Lewis and I had made a railfan trip around Kentucky when we caught this “Lynch Turn” northbound passing the former International Harvester tipple (now Benham Coal) at Benham on May 17, 1979. L&N 1559/SP 8760/1509 are the engines.

1. L&N 1559 Lynch Turn-Benham. 05-17-1979.
L&N 1559 Lynch Turn-Benham. 05-17-1979.

2. The Lynch Turn paused for a few minutes at Benham perhaps to do the brake test on his 90-car train. L&N 1559. Lynch Turn-Benham.
The Lynch Turn paused for a few minutes at Benham perhaps to do the brake test on his 90-car train. L&N 1559. Lynch Turn-Benham.

3. We get a wave from the head brakeman as the Lynch Turn drops downgrade through Clutts. Only track here now is for walking. L&N 1559 Lynch Turn-Clutts.
We get a wave from the head brakeman as the Lynch Turn drops downgrade through Clutts. Only track here now is for walking. L&N 1559 Lynch Turn-Clutts.

4. The Lynch Turn arrives at Chad Yard beside US 119. L&N 1559 Lynch Turn-Chad.
The Lynch Turn arrives at Chad Yard beside US 119. L&N 1559 Lynch Turn-Chad.

5. The brakeman gets back on and they depart north for Loyall and Corbin. From employee timetable #1 this would have been northward freight No. 56. Timetable No 2, issued in 1980 dispensed with most train numbers. L&N 1559 Lynch Turn-Chad.
The brakeman gets back on and they depart north for Loyall and Corbin. From employee timetable #1 this would have been northward freight No. 56. Timetable No 2, issued in 1980 dispensed with most train numbers. L&N 1559 Lynch Turn-Chad.

6. L&N Corbin Div 1976 timetable.
L&N Corbin Div 1976 timetable.

7. Fast freights nos. 164-165 continued to Norton and connected with the N&W. They originated and terminated in Louisville. L&N Corbin Div 1976 timetable.
Fast freights nos. 164-165 continued to Norton and connected with the N&W. They originated and terminated in Louisville. L&N Corbin Div 1976 timetable.

8. You can discern the wye in Cumberland. L&N later extended off this tail track to the new Scotia Mine. Benham, KY-VA, 1:24,000 quad, 1954, USGS. Click here for a larger image.
You can discern the wye in Cumberland. L&N later extended off this tail track to the new Scotia Mine. Benham, KY-VA, 1:24,000 quad, 1954, USGS.

9. This shows the extent of Looney Creek from the International Harvester mine at the Benham conveyor and the USS conveyor at Lynch. This topo is circa 1954. Benham, KY-VA, 1:24,000 quad, 1954, USGS. Click here for a larger image.
This shows the extent of Looney Creek from the International Harvester mine at the Benham conveyor and the USS conveyor at Lynch. This topo is circa 1954. Benham, KY-VA, 1:24,000 quad, 1954, USGS.

10. L&N RS3 146 and C420 1331 switch at the north end of Loyall Yard on a late afternoon in late 1973. Loyall KY.
L&N RS3 146 and C420 1331 switch at the north end of Loyall Yard on a late afternoon in late 1973. Loyall KY.

11. ALCo S-2 102 parked above Lynch tipple on 08-19-1978. I understand Winifrede Mine was No. 32. Lynch.
ALCo S-2 102 parked above Lynch tipple on 08-19-1978. I understand Winifrede Mine was No. 32. Lynch.

12. The grade was very steep at Lynch, so this brake sled was needed to assist the S-2 in switching. It was converted from a coal tender. “PM” was embossed on the trucks. Lynch. 10-08-1978.
The grade was very steep at Lynch, so this brake sled was needed to assist the S-2 in switching. It was converted from a coal tender. “PM” was embossed on the trucks. Lynch. 10-08-1978.

13. 102 had a modified cab likely the result of an accident. Lynch. 10-08-1978.
102 had a modified cab likely the result of an accident. Lynch. 10-08-1978.

14. The depot was being used as a store room on 10-08-1978. Lynch.
The depot was being used as a store room on 10-08-1978. Lynch.

15. Prior to the ALCos, this small GE switcher was used. USS loco Lynch KY. Photographer unknown.
Prior to the ALCos, this small GE switcher was used. USS loco Lynch KY. Photographer unknown.

16. Arch Mineral acquired the coal properties of U. S. Steel, but continued using the ALCos. Lynch. 12-30-1986.
Arch Mineral acquired the coal properties of U. S. Steel, but continued using the ALCos. Lynch. 12-30-1986.

17. The USS logo is gone from the cab. Lynch.
The USS logo is gone from the cab. Lynch.

18. Baldwin S-8B “calf” came from Oliver Iron Mining, a USS subsidiary in Minnesota. Lynch. 12-30-1986.
Baldwin S-8B “calf” came from Oliver Iron Mining, a USS subsidiary in Minnesota. Lynch. 12-30-1986.

19. 101 retains the USS logo. Arch used a fleet of former Rock Island hoppers for moving the raw coal to the Corbin preparation plant. Lynch. 12-30-1986.
101 retains the USS logo. Arch used a fleet of former Rock Island hoppers for moving the raw coal to the Corbin preparation plant. Lynch. 12-30-1986.

20. Mine no. 20 (opened 1920) was across from the depot. Lynch. 01-31-1987.
Mine no. 20 (opened 1920) was across from the depot. Lynch. 01-31-1987.

21. No 102. Lynch.
No 102. Lynch.

22. View of the tipple, power house, and concrete coal storage silo looking north. Lynch. 01-31-1987.
View of the tipple, power house, and concrete coal storage silo looking north. Lynch. 01-31-1987.

Arch closed this operation and later it becomes a historic tour site. All for now.

Train images used by permission of Everett N Young