CSX Mountain Sub

Producer: Pentrex

Locations: Grafton, Cranberry Grade, 17 Mile Grade, Altamont, Keyser

Timeframe: 2000

Length: 1 hour 36 minutes

CSX’s former B&O line from Grafton, West Virginia, to Keyser, WV. This is the CSX Mountain subdivision. It actually extends to Cumberland.

This is a contemporary visit to the route. All the trains are identified by symbols and locations.

A single DVD-R. Main Chapter Menu. On-screen graphics. Map. Previews. Narrated by Dave Drui.

Image is in 4×3. Live environmental audio. High quality in all areas.

To the Trains…

Begins at a key location. Grafton, WV. in January. Locomotive servicing and yard. CSX 442 (AC44CW)  heads  through coal move. Train V-840 is going to a power plant in Pennsylvania. The AC44CW units are common power. This D-Tower was closed in 1999. Many of the old towers are included.

Seaboard System 2667 is ex: L&N. A rare find. One of the last on CSX still wearing this livery. At East Grafton Yard.

There are many Winter scenes. At Thornton,  a Q-316 rolls past. Three Fork Creek.

A return in the Spring season. The 640 is a 6000 horsepower  GE CW60-9AC with an EMD SD70MAC. This departs Newburg after having 2 helpers added at the rear. Train T-862. Newburg Grade is one of four on this sub.

Tunnelton’s approaching tracks have many curves. Hiorra Road sees engines 381 and 167 on the Cheat Grade. Train U-823 is a coal to Maryland move.

In the Fall. CSX leader with an intriguing lashup of older power. Mixed freight consist. A Union Pacific is the far flung locomotive.

Check out the coal train further up the line. Piled high. Memorable view.

Tray Run Viaduct with a Helper set #496 leading from Newburg. This huge 3 arch structure is located on The Cheat River Grade.

Cheat River Bridge in the Fall. Train W-510. Grafton to Cumberland. Notice the contrast of the forest between Fall and Winter. East of here is Cranberry Grade.

Train Q-316 is on Cranberry Grade. GP38-2 #2665 is on the point of this fascinating lash-up. The old B&O signals are still functional.

Train Q-317 is at the Summit of Allegenies. CSX 7624 is a General Electric C40-8.

A coal train V-628 travels slowly downhill on 17 Mile Grade. Bloomington, Maryland. CSX 762 out front.

CSX Mountain Sub

This show offers a look at a route that is uncommonly seen. The majority of Railfans focus on the Sand Patch line. Here is an interesting trip on a similar type of line, with some key highlights in the show.

Many old towers were still standing. They are included. Twisting trackage results in great scenes. Coal Train aficionados get a full belly.

A variety of seasonal visits add interest. Some locations are quite rare on videos. Excellent map references. Intelligent script.

To hear the train horns reverberate in the mountains is straight-up fun. Listen to the motors run hard.

An enjoyable presentation.

Rating: 5 Stars