Great video showing the previous history of the track usage. Sad to see former Coal Mines as a distant memory today. Im surprised the Railroad Crossbuck signs still remain and haven't been relocated to a man cave. Thanks again for sharing this video with us along with your time and effort! Cheers from Laurel, Delaware USA.
The mines closed because of being mined out or other issues. Which was it ? I know most of the mines around my area from what former miners told me the coal became too costly to mine. Understand this was in the late 40's and early 50's
I was just in thar area last month and for the most part NS could reactivate the line tomorrow if they had review traffic to run on it. What the video doesn't show much of is the towns in the area that have been impacted by the closure of these mines and the war on coal.
For an inactive branch, that's actually not too bad, considering most railroads that haven't had trains in a while just let Mother Nature take over the railroad tracks.
My Father worked at blacksville,#1 for 35 years, I do remember that train track and the big Conrail trains ,that would come in and out,and the big pond and the road to the mine
The line through Blacksville went to Blacksville No.1, which closed in 1992. It was still being used to dump fly ash into the shaft at BV1 up until the 2010 era.
Shame to see Blacksville 2 is gone and now Federal 2 following suit. I only ever shot a few trains on the WS, most notably the coal goes to war Amtrak special. Another great video. Here’s hoping one day this will all reopen!
Federal #2 mine had been active for over 60 years! It was originally an Eastern Coal Corp mine in the 60s. IIRC, it had 5 ft seams, longwall and obviously steam coal.
Sometimes a major rr like NS decides a line does not have enough traffic to be profitable. Often a secondary line will lease or buy the line and continue operation (at a profit). In this case, not so much. Good video and nice scenery.
There has to be a reason NS retains it: Eventually, someone is gonna restart a mine because of reasons. either NS profits or they DENY the easy route to any coal mines... an interesting question remains: How many of the out-of-service spurs are INTACT after the hurricane?
Exactly. Watching our once strong Country fall into the A$$ of the animal pit is beyond disturbing.. Revolution in closer then we think. While watching dated rail video of beauty and progress, it’s hard to not look outside at the ‘pajama problem society’ we’ve become and ask yourself, the change back to the people’s power isn’t going to be pretty. 🇺🇸💪 Time to take back our Country. We saved the Animals in WW2.., (lord only knows why) NOW it’s time we save ourselves.
It is one thing to see an old branch with light rail and cinder ballast out of service. It is quite another to see a heavy-duty railroad that will most likely never see another train except the rail remover.
Great video showing the previous history of the track usage. Sad to see former Coal Mines as a distant memory today. Im surprised the Railroad Crossbuck signs still remain and haven't been relocated to a man cave. Thanks again for sharing this video with us along with your time and effort! Cheers from Laurel, Delaware USA.
The mines closed because of being mined out or other issues. Which was it ? I know most of the mines around my area from what former miners told me the coal became too costly to mine. Understand this was in the late 40's and early 50's
This would be a great place to start a tourist railroad if NS would lease or sell. Everything is there already.
That's what I was just thinking!
I was just in thar area last month and for the most part NS could reactivate the line tomorrow if they had review traffic to run on it. What the video doesn't show much of is the towns in the area that have been impacted by the closure of these mines and the war on coal.
😿😿😿What towns??😿😿😿
Thanks for sharing! Nice job of videoing, and I enjoyed the history of the RR (though its probable demise is sad). 👍
For an inactive branch, that's actually not too bad, considering most railroads that haven't had trains in a while just let Mother Nature take over the railroad tracks.
I'd be curious if Iron Synergy was willing to restart up those mines.
Highly doubtful.
Nice looking rail bed.
Very intriguing video. Thanks!!
My Father worked at blacksville,#1 for 35 years, I do remember that train track and the big Conrail trains ,that would come in and out,and the big pond and the road to the mine
The line through Blacksville went to Blacksville No.1, which closed in 1992. It was still being used to dump fly ash into the shaft at BV1 up until the 2010 era.
Shame to see Blacksville 2 is gone and now Federal 2 following suit. I only ever shot a few trains on the WS, most notably the coal goes to war Amtrak special. Another great video. Here’s hoping one day this will all reopen!
Federal #2 mine had been active for over 60 years! It was originally an Eastern Coal Corp mine in the 60s. IIRC, it had 5 ft seams, longwall and obviously steam coal.
Grew up north of this area in the 1960's & 70's. I love these type of videos! If rails could talk. 🤔
Nicely done video , thanks for the tour around.
Great video, just wish it weren't so, we need these lines and all the jobs that have disappeared!
Incredibly sad.
Seems like a nice location for a Sunday or weekend excursion train to view that nice area?
Sometimes a major rr like NS decides a line does not have enough traffic to be profitable. Often a secondary line will lease or buy the line and continue operation (at a profit). In this case, not so much. Good video and nice scenery.
There has to be a reason NS retains it: Eventually, someone is gonna restart a mine because of reasons. either NS profits or they DENY the easy route to any coal mines... an interesting question remains: How many of the out-of-service spurs are INTACT after the hurricane?
Fantastic video!
I wish I had the money to buy the Line and turn it into a tourist, Rail Road.
Just wishful thinking, you know how that goes.
Strange finding a random railroad video about something close to my hometown.
Perfect rail cart recreation line for people to enjoy if NS would agree to let Greene and Mon couties do so.
Anyone know why NS didn’t tear up the rail? I assume they’re still paying taxes on the right-of-way.
I've rail buffed all of those places all over 100 times.
Yeah….. I am not going to bring up politics with this nice group of railfans but we are all thinking the same thing
But what’s wrong with windmills and electric cars 😏
Coal sucks. Biden 2024 ❤ trump for rikers
Biden is responsible
Xidenomics at work.
Exactly. Watching our once strong Country fall into the A$$ of the animal pit is beyond disturbing.. Revolution in closer then we think. While watching dated rail video of beauty and progress, it’s hard to not look outside at the ‘pajama problem society’ we’ve become and ask yourself, the change back to the people’s power isn’t going to be pretty. 🇺🇸💪 Time to take back our Country. We saved the Animals in WW2.., (lord only knows why) NOW it’s time we save ourselves.
Rail cart it
It is one thing to see an old branch with light rail and cinder ballast out of service. It is quite another to see a heavy-duty railroad that will most likely never see another train except the rail remover.