CSX Snowden, VA
The James River makes all the difference. Without the gently descending route following the eastward flowing James River to the Atlantic, coal traveling the former Chesapeake and Ohio bound for export in tidewater Virginia would have to be lifted over the Blue Ridge. Both the original mainline routes of the Norfolk and Western and the Chesapeake and Ohio require significant grades to cross the Blue Ridge. The former Virginian Railway route that follows Roanoke River and also avoids a grade crossing the Blue Ridge became the primary tonnage route of the N&W and later Norfolk Southern. The James River Subdivision has carried tonnage trains east since its completion, while returning empties follow the original C&O mainline and climb the Blue Ridge west of Charlottesville.
The James River has cut a gently curving path through the surrounding Blue Ridge at Snowden, Virginia. Four AC propulsion locomotives in a 2X2 distributed power arrangement guide 200 loads bound for export at Newport News. CSX train C215-27 originated at Toms Fork, West Virginia.
CSX Snowden, VA
The James River makes all the difference. Without the gently descending route following the eastward flowing James River to the Atlantic, coal traveling the former Chesapeake and Ohio bound for export in tidewater Virginia would have to be lifted over the Blue Ridge. Both the original mainline routes of the Norfolk and Western and the Chesapeake and Ohio require significant grades to cross the Blue Ridge. The former Virginian Railway route that follows Roanoke River and also avoids a grade crossing the Blue Ridge became the primary tonnage route of the N&W and later Norfolk Southern. The James River Subdivision has carried tonnage trains east since its completion, while returning empties follow the original C&O mainline and climb the Blue Ridge west of Charlottesville.
The James River has cut a gently curving path through the surrounding Blue Ridge at Snowden, Virginia. Four AC propulsion locomotives in a 2X2 distributed power arrangement guide 200 loads bound for export at Newport News. CSX train C215-27 originated at Toms Fork, West Virginia.