Pokey Pusher shown here getting the job done without breaking a sweat (yet). It's here where the infamous Elkhorn Grade stiffens up a bit...

Autumn in Appalachia.

Shoving east in dramatic late evening lighting, Interstate No. 8105 roars the hollows surrounding Elkhorn, W.Va., on a balmy, but quiet Sunday afternoon along NS's busy Pocahontas mainline.

As the hot days of summer burn on, take a cool and relaxing rewind to see Norfolk Southern's Norfolk & Western heritage ES44AC push hard against an eastbound coal train toward Bluefield, as it goe... (more)

NS' Norfolk & Western and original Norfolk Southern heritage engines shove on the rear of a loaded export coal train as it passes through the small community of Elkhorn, WV.

It's late afternoon and the sun is beginning to set, as the sound of a heavy coal drag begins permeating the quaint valley of Elkhorn, W.Va. Soon, No. 826 crawls around a tight curve as the train ... (more)

It's a quiet and dreary evening in the small town of Elkhorn, W.Va., until the sound of a heavy loaded coal drags permeates the air with the sound of engines in Notch 8, shattering the stillness. ... (more)

NS 8103 (Norfolk and Western) assist a train through the tunnel at Elkhorn.

Pushers earn their keep on the Elkhorn Grade of the Pokey.

Amid a little autumn color, two new ES44AC's in pusher service drift down the Elkhorn grade for the trip back to Auville Yard.

NS 7687 is grinding and sanding its way up the Elkhorn grade to the top of Coaldale Mountain.

Pushers roll downgrade through Elkhorn on their way back to Farm.

Three pusher units shove hard against the heavy Elkhorn grade. The engine is framed by the whistle post and slide detector fence, both common along the Pokey

The last shot of our early morning chase of this eastbound is shown at one of the tiny crossings in Elkhorn, a few miles west of the end of its climb and the summit of the Pokey at Elkhorn Tunnel.