Empties for Consol pass the CPL protecting 'Vansant'

Norfolk Southern SD70ACe #1028 passes the CPL at Vansant,VA with empty hoppers bound for SunCoke at Dismal.

Norfolk Southern job U52 pass the CPL's at Vansant,VA with coal loads from Consol as they begin their trip up the Buchanan Branch towards the Pokey.

U52 brings Consol loads back towards Weller, passing the CPL signal at the former junction of the Big Prater Creek Spur at Vansant, Virginia on the Buchanan Branch

Norfolk Southern loaded coal train U52 rounds the bend in Vansant, Virginia behind a pair of ES44AC's. Former N&W CPL's guard the Vansant control point here on the Buchanan Branch.

A pair of light AC44C6M's pass through the CPL signal at Anchor, at the West End of Dismal Yard in Vansant.

823 passes through the CPL signal governing the Vansant interlocking, where the Prater Creek Branch used to join the Buc Main.

Take a Ride on the Reading! The first of our four heritage motors in two days, Norfolk Southern's Reading painted SD70ACe leads a 105 car train to Weller Yard. There, they would drop off 52... (more)

With 105 Consol loads in tow, NS U71 led by the Reading heritage engine pulls by Vansant on the Buchanan Branch in southwestern Virginia.

The ex Norfolk and Western Big Prater Creek Branch was biuilt in 1977, and runs from Vansant Jct. to Deskins, to serve the Island Creek Coal Company's Pocahontas Loader, which was the sole purpose... (more)

A Brookville critter awaits its next work at Mine #2 of Pocahontas Coal near Vansant, VA.

Riding a loaded Top Gon down the rails, hoping the brake works. Coal is still loaded in Appalachia the same way it was in the 40's in places, using gravity and light braking to roll the mty under ... (more)

An old Alco with the cab removed and a "phonebooth" added to the front for an operator, deep within the coalfields of Virginia.

With the old Consol VP #8 prep plant looming in the background, an old workhorse rusts under the coal loadout. This Consol met coal operation was closed down several years ago and is currently bei... (more)

With the closed Island Creek Coal VP#1 plant rusting away in the background, Alco #2 is slowly being reclaimed by the weeds after being cannibalized for parts. The complex is part of the massive V... (more)