| Posted by on April 16, 2011 | |
Had it been completed, this would have been part of the original CC&O Connection that would continue in a generally southeasterly direction toward Speers Ferry, VA, and a connection with the Clinchfield. The tunnel at Hagans was completed in 1930---so the Depression brought this ambitious project to a stop. The switchback was supposed to be temporary, but it still exists today---the only main line switchback in the country. Before this extension, it wasn't unusual for a train to take 45 minutes or more to navigate the switchback. If anyone is interested, I did a comprehensive article on this unique operation and its history in Trains Magazine way, way back in August 1985.
|
| Posted by kv1guy on April 17, 2011 | |
I use to work it as a conductor. When taking empties north to Loyal, after stopping your shove, you shoved 55 cars in one track and then the rest (but no more than 45) in the other. One of the very few places CSX allowed you to shove in the blind at the time.
|
I like how they are protecting the end of the track with an old "conditional stop" board that they probably found laying in a ditch.
|
|