In a never ending pattern on the Dry Fork Branch, 731 with mtys prepares to head west to Auville Yard as loaded coal gons pass at Indian #3. On this humid evening the Dry Fork had nonstop action f... (more)

After traversing the Dry Fork Branch, 80A prepares to hit the Clinch Valley and head east at Dry Fork Junction.

Having just exited Bandy Tunnel, the front half of 80A begins the descent to Cedar Bluff. Most of the unit train is still ascending a near 1.5 percent grade and hasn't entered the portal yet.

Passing the historical Berwind church, pushers on the rear of NS 80A prepare to get down on their knees on the Dry Fork Branch. The move will soon reach a 1.5 percent grade on the way to Cedar Blu... (more)

One to couple. Conductor awaits the meet as 77G backs up to mty coal cars before loading at the National Coal loadout on a sweltering summer day. The trailing half will be set off before backing t... (more)

Showing the ravages of time since being built in '89, CSX 7510 idles away at the junction of the Clearfork Branch and the KD main. The unit train was loaded at Kopper Glo the previous day.

Coming up out of the swag at North Kilsyth, Q539 lumbers southward on a hazy dogday of summer. Helper service was not required over the grade.

Worktrain FO40 crawls by Q541 on track #2 in an elevated curve on the KD Sub, enroute to Corbin yard. Not many of these ancient workhorses left.

Awaiting a crew change on the Jellico Branch before loading the second half. With the coal stockpile in the background, they could probably load several unit trains.

An autorack train roars out of Hickory Creek #2 tunnel deep in the gorge, soon to start the ascent of Duff Mountain. Autoracks normally don't require the helper to get up and over the grade.

With coal drag N226 grinding by, the Chaska helper heads north to hook up to the rear, dwarfed and framed by the large coaling tower. Days later the helper would be turned at Holton to face north.

Left over from a recent MOW blitz, tie plates and spikes await pickup at Hagans Switchback in Lee County, Virginia.

Fill 'er up. Fuel truck driver fills the hillhelper up just below North Kilsyth on the KD Sub. Over 200 gallons per minute will flow thru the giant nozzle before the tank is topped off.

Hand braking down the steep grade at Virginia Energys loadout, mty coal hoppers are rolled under the loadout in a scene reminiscent of the forties.

A pencil drawing of a grainery in the breadbasket of America. Or is it?