Well, will you look at that. Some fool wedding photographer had the bride posing on the tracks. When they saw the train coming they picked up and ran but her gown got caught on the switch stand. But she kept on running and left it all behind.
What Russell said about how to identify them and their purpose, but the NYC was not a big user of them. They were on the P&LE Berks which that photo is, 9401, and a few other installations.
Located again last week in Chaska, TN is this former L&N coaling tower. It's in a remote location near the TN/KY state line on the main between Lexington, KY and Knoxville, TN. I was last here perhaps 25 years ago and CSX kept a pusher stationed here to assist coal trains on the grade, but no more it appears.
I've been an enthusiastic fan of interlocking towers for 40+ years and as we all know, they've faded from the modern scene and are being razed at a rapid rate. We were blessed to find three towers on our recent travels. Boxcab, I wonder if you have any papers from these? The first is BS Junction at Catlettsburg, KY. It's where the Big Sandy Sub from coal country joins the C&O main on the Kanawha Sub. This is a busy spot. I'm not sure if this tower handles any traditional tower duties, but it's clearly open and well maintained. I love the 1950's modern look. Up the line at Russell, KY is RU Tower. It's no longer active, but survives. I think CSX donated the structure to the town, but I'm not sure.
The third tower we found is former L&N in Baxter, KY, close to Loyall, KY deep in coal country. I found this one 25+ years ago and am pleased to see that it still stands. Sadly though, the large Loyall Yard has nothing in it -- not one hopper and not one locomotive. Such a depressing site when compared with how I saw it last, packed with cars, locomotives and crews. Loyall was also an Alco bastion throughout the 1970s.
Google Earth shows the yard with a lot of hoppers. Either you caught them on an off-day, or it very recently shut down, or recently enough that the effects aren’t on Earth.
C&O BS Jct I have nothing. C&O Russell I have RE Cabin and RJ Cabin, but not RU. L&N nothing "Baxter", but I do have Loyall, also have it as SBD.
Nice shot. Always good to see those old steam era relics still standing. Like you, I haven't been there in 25+ years. I remember helpers being stationed there as well. Was always a good stop when we would follow the line through there heading toward Corbin KY. You would either catch the helpers parked there or if none were there, you knew there was a train somewhere close.
The next time we're up that way, I want to look further along the C&O main to see if other towers might survive. RJ is/was also at Russell, with DG and NJ further up. DG was remoted to NJ long ago. I'm not sure where RE is/was. I'll have to see if I have any old C&O ETs.
That's good to read. Bing Maps shows the yard perhaps 1/4 filled, so some activity must indeed remain.
Taken a week ago today under overcast skies in Catlettsburg, KY on the former C&O main is GE AC4400CW CSX 1, the Spirit of West Virginia. This photo was just dumb luck. I was standing trackside and as if by appointment, she powered past on the point with a loaded coal train.
