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Earth Mover

CN SD70M-2 #8837 winds loaded ethanol cans through the jaw-dropping realignment at the Pikeville Cut amdist a winter Wonderland. The railroad, along-side the Levisa Fork of the Big Sandy River, and the newly upgraded US23 were diverted around the flood-prone village of Pikeville, in what would become the largest earth moving project in the Western Hemisphere, 2nd only the Panama Canal. Over 180 million cubic meters of rock would be removed over the 14-year project, completed in 1987 at an adjusted cost of $200M . The railroad has existed on its present day course since 1979. For its part, the C&O shaved 2 miles off its route and diverted its trains full of black diamond coal dust away from the river town.

 

 

Pikeville, KY

 

January 20th, 2024

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Uploaded on March 27, 2024
Taken on January 20, 2024