manned-helpers-still-labor-on-norfolk-southerns-pocahontas-divisionhttps://www.trains.com/trn/railroads/locomotives/manned-helpers-still-labor-on-norfolk-southerns-pocahontas-division/Manned helpers still labor on Norfolk Southern's Pocahontas Division | Trains MagazineCheck out this photo gallery from Chase GunnoeInStockUSD1.001.00locomotivesrailroadsarticleTRN2020-11-032014-09-0418698
Norfolk Southern’s Pocahontas Division is one of the most challenging areas of railroading in the United States. The division is host to several coal trains a day between Bluefield and Williamson, W.Va. The Pocahontas Division is one of the last manned helper districts, and the tonnage moved on the railroad is something to behold. Be sure to pick up a copy of Locomotive 2014 and see more great photos and read the rest of the story about NS’s Pocahontas Division.
Norfolk Southern ES40DC No. 7633 leads a westbound empty coal train by the absolute signals at Clinch Valley Junction on NS’s Pocahontas District in Bluefield, Va., on March 28, 2014. The train is en route from NS’s Bluefield Terminal to the former Norfolk & Western coalfields of McDowell County.
Norfolk Southern ES44AC No. 8040 leads a string of westbound empty hoppers out of Bluefield Yard on April 7, 2012, as an additional empty hopper train (far left) is seen departing the terminal after receiving a new crew. Coal is still quite prominent on the Pocahontas Division. On the far right, an eastbound train and its helpers are tied down on the main line.
NS SD70ACe No. 1082 reverses into position to spot for loading at NS’s Arcelor Mittal Roadfork loadout on its South Fork Branch loadout in Monson, W.Va. on Jan. 10, 2014. The 110-car capacity loadout represents one of the southernmost loadouts along NS’s Tug Fork branch line (and its respective branches). Once loaded, the train will return to Wilcoe Yard (south of Welch, W.Va.) and eventually onto the Pocahontas District main line.
NS C44-9W No. 8904 leads a westbound NS I3Q (second section No. 233 through downtown Welch, W.Va. on a damp and cold Jan. 11, 2014. The high priority container train is en route from Bluefield, W.Va. along the Pocahontas District to Williamson, W.Va.
NS C40-9W No. 9595 leads eastbound coal loads NS 85K through the coal town of Northfork, W.Va. on Feb. 12, 2014, during a late evening snow squall. The export coal drag is en route from the coal fields of McDowell County, W.Va., to the costal ports of Virginia.
8 thoughts on “Manned helpers still labor on Norfolk Southern’s Pocahontas Division”
Hank Kraichely from MISSOURI Great photo work, love seeing those 3&4 loco lash-ups!
Great pic I grew up near Southern/Norfolk Southern railway in Illinois, I would always notive the hooded SD40's pulling there freight. I would also notice an SD40 near the middle of the train with a boxcar that had th NS/Southern emblem on it. What was the purpose of that car next to the engine, I also noticed it located near front of train with certain loads being hauled. This is a question I've been trying to get answered for about 45 years lol.
Steve, Thank you for the 411 on that car next to the engine, It was so cool to see and hear in those years I was growing up. I knew the train was coming to a end when we were stopped at the railroad crossing and you saw that mid-train helper pass by. On those hot summer nights I could hear that mid-train helper kick in and activate and assist the train in getting up the big incline near my home. Now I see what has replaced it. Again Steve thanks for the information!!!
Roderick McCottrell the boxcar next to the mid-train engine housed the radio equipment used to control the mid-train helper. This was an early version of the radio-controlled mid-train helper. A lot of times the boxcar would be sandwiched between two engines. I worked for N&W/NS for 32 years and remember seeing them early in my career. Thanks for bringing back the memory!
Hank Kraichely from MISSOURI
Great photo work, love seeing those 3&4 loco lash-ups!
Great pic I grew up near Southern/Norfolk Southern railway in Illinois, I would always notive the hooded SD40's pulling there freight. I would also notice an SD40 near the middle of the train with a boxcar that had th NS/Southern emblem on it. What was the purpose of that car next to the engine, I also noticed it located near front of train with certain loads being hauled. This is a question I've been trying to get answered for about 45 years lol.
Steve,
Thank you for the 411 on that car next to the engine, It was so cool to see and hear in those years I was growing up. I knew the train was coming to a end when we were stopped at the railroad crossing and you saw that mid-train helper pass by. On those hot summer nights I could hear that mid-train helper kick in and activate and assist the train in getting up the big incline near my home. Now I see what has replaced it. Again Steve thanks for the information!!!
Brings back memories. I grew up in Bluefield. I always wanted to work on the railroad. Great pictures. Thanks
Roderick McCottrell the boxcar next to the mid-train engine housed the radio equipment used to control the mid-train helper. This was an early version of the radio-controlled mid-train helper. A lot of times the boxcar would be sandwiched between two engines. I worked for N&W/NS for 32 years and remember seeing them early in my career. Thanks for bringing back the memory!
Hey, great job. I grew up in that area and still have family there. Thanks for the memories. Chuck, now living in Arizona.
Great photos, Chase!
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