Big Sandy briefs

Chesapeake and Ohio Historical Magazine, May 2000

The beginning of 2000 brought a significant curtailment of train activity on the Dawkins Subdivision, a scenic 36-mile branch that serves only one shipper.

Several years ago Consolidation Coal sold their large Skyline preparation plant at Evanston, Ky., to Addington Mining Inc.. Activity continued with perhaps a couple of trains being loaded per week.

After hearing rumors of its impending shut down, the new year brought rusty rail and the indication that traffic had been bleak.

On February 25th I received word that train U677 (Virginia Power empties) was heading to Skyline. The loading process started just after midnight.

We intercepted shifter C695 around 9:00 a.m. as they doubled half of their 100-car train to the storage siding at Riceville. Engines 7568-9014 (C40-8/C44-8W) stalled climbing the mile-long 1.4 percent grade from the KY 114 bridge at Ivyton to Trimble Gap. The engineer backed the train down the hill a short distance and made it across the top on the second attempt.

This extra crew was relieved at Riceville at 2:00 p.m. by the C894. This crew returned to Skyline and pulled the remaining 50 VAPX loads. At Riceville the train was put back together for a Russell crew called at Paintsville for 7:00 p.m. Another Skyline train operated a week or so later, but the track again has a coat of rust.

All rail mines on the former L&N in Breathitt County have shut down.