Norfolk & Western Branch Line Series

NW Mailing List nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org
Sun Dec 30 11:53:21 EST 2012


We expect to have Dry Fork Branch (Iaeger to Cedar Bluff) published in the
winter of 2013. It will also cover Caretta Branch, Jacobs Fork Branch,
Cucumber Branch, War Creek Spur and Beech Fork Branch.



Both Spice Creek and Clear Fork Branches are covered in "Billion Dollar
Coalfield" available from the commissary. Spice Creek ran from Roderfield to
Premier along what is now US Rt 52 ( about 4.5 miles in length). It was
constructed in 1907 and operated into 1988. It served about 5 coal tipples.
Clear Fork Branch went under construction in 1903 and the N&W took it over
in 1904. By that time the right-of-way had been graded and most of the
bridges had been built. The branch line served three tipples north of
Coalwood, the Olga No. 1 shaft mine and the tipple at Six. All mines were
opened by the Carter Coal Co. The tracks were removed in 1959.



We are considering a multiple Branch Line book that will cover Dans Branch,
King Branch, Superior Branch, Twin Branch, Spice Creek, Clear Fork and Four
Pole Spur. With the exception of Clear Fork and Spice Creek all of the other
branches/spurs are short. This would complete all of the branch line sin
McDowell County WV.



Branch line books are dependent on how much material we can find in the NWHS
Archives. As an example for the Dry Fork Branch line book we were able to
locate at the archives the original Iaeger & Southern accounts when the
railroad was built by W.M. Ritter Lumber Company, the N&W construction
accounts, multiple siding agreements and about 90 Field Note Books.



Alex Schust









From: nw-mailing-list-bounces at nwhs.org
[mailto:nw-mailing-list-bounces at nwhs.org] On Behalf Of NW Mailing List
Sent: Saturday, December 29, 2012 11:00 PM
To: NWHS
Subject: Norfolk & Western Branch Line Series



Hey guys,

What other N&W Branch line books are planned?

I have the three that are currently published and greatly enjoy them, and am
curious as to what else is in store. In the mean time here are several
branches that I am interested in know a little more about.

Spice Creek branch, When was it built, where did it go, when was it
abandoned?

Clear Fork branch, I know this branch served Coalwood, but was that it? when
was it pulled out, where did it leave the main, and what else did ti serve?

Mate Creek Branch, When was the mate Creek branch built, how many mines did
it serve? In recent times the Switch to the branch was pulled (in fact the
switch panels can bee seen on Google maps), but the Switch heater as well as
the switch machine were left where they were, and the distant signal on the
branch at MC 1 was still lit. So what is going on? Is the branch in the
process of abandonment, or is the switch to be replaced?

Nate


--
Nathan Simmons
trainman51 at gmail.com
http://www.t-51.org
KI4MSK

01/20/2017

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://six.pairlist.net/pipermail/nw-mailing-list/attachments/20121230/e0cf5f98/attachment.html>


More information about the NW-Mailing-List mailing list