Pokey operations

[NW Mailing List]

While not a direct answer to your question, after the branch realignment of the Elkhorn Branch at Switchback to become  the Angle Branch, circa 1948,  the only operation on the Angle Branch was the Norfolk-Angle Mine. The Norfolk-Angle Mine was closed in July 1955 when only 36 employees were working. Employment steadily dropped to 18 in 1956, 10 in 1957 and 4 in 1958. It is not clear if Pocahontas Fuel was using the tipple or simply cleaning out the mine with the 1956-1958 employment.

 

The new Elkhorn Tunnel and realignment for eastbound traffic was completed in June 1959, but westbound traffic used the old Elkhorn tunnel until July 1950. The new Angle Branch had to be in place before the new Maybeury bridge construction started in 1948.

 

Alex Schust

 

From: NW-Mailing-List [mailto:nw-mailing-list-bounces at nwhs.org] On Behalf Of NW Mailing List
Sent: Monday, April 18, 2022 9:35 AM
To: NW Mailing List
Subject: Pokey operations

 

Does anybody have any insight into operations at Switchback prior to the late '40s realignment?  Coal loads would have to be rounded up from the Angle branch, Shamokin and Elkhorn and then brought up to the main West of the power house.  But how was the traffic controlled?  I haven't seen any photos showing signals to stop either mainline or mine movements.  How did they insure the main was clear when they came up?  Also, if they "pulled" up from the bottom, the movement would be pointed West.  Where did they go for assembly?  Did everything go West to Byrd at North Fork or even on to Ecklmann?  Any and all thoughts will be appreciated.  Not to name names, but I'm hoping Mr. Grant might chime in on this one and perhaps Professor Schust.

Thanks,

Jim Cochran

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