Norfolk Southern – Volume 4, Part 1, Tracks of the old Norfolk & Western Pocohontas Division

Producer: Green Frog

Locations: West Virginia

Timeframe: 1998

Length: 54 minutes

Source: Rich Schied

Norfolk Southern Volume 4 Part 1. Tracks of the Old Norfolk & Western. The Pocohontas Division.

A single DVD-R. Fullscreen 4×3 aspect ratio. Live audio soundtrack.

Main Chapter Menu by location. Chapter advance. On/ off narration. No maps. Narrated by Peter Youngblood.

Large General Electric power is dominant. Unit Coal Trains. Helper sets galore. More coal than one ever needs.

To the Trains…

Bluefield Yard

General Electric Dash 9W, like 9196, are the main power here. The low diesel rumble sounds awesome on a big stereo! At Bluefield, a long lash-up. Here is the eastern edge of the extensive Pocohontas Division.

Mayberry

NS 8646 on a bridge at Mayberry, West Virginia.

Elkhorn

Former Conrail 6757 on a three pusher set Elkhorn, West Virginia.

Northfork

9726 leads at Northfork, WV.

Note the faded Coca-Cola painted on sign

5012 GP on the point of three engines roll through town.

East Keystone

A stopped coal move is passed at East Keystone. Note the coal trucks.

Keystone Coal Plant

Pushers pass the abandoned Post Office and former Company Store. The Coal Processing Plant is active

Tug Fork River

Coal train with NS 8648 leading NS 9253 exits the tunnel at Vivian. Tug Fork River. Additional tunnels are seen in this show.

Superior

NS 8508 hauls auto racks back to Detroit. More mountainous terrain at Superior, West Virginia.

A Piggyback is led by SD40 1628 at Welch. Note the McDonald’s sign. I was wondering when a Mickey D’s would appear! These towns are small. Both the hotshot Intermodal and McDonald’s are an odd pair for the area.

Norfolk Southern – Volume 4

This is an interesting show. Smart production that includes views of the lineside towns and structures. Some are old and abandoned. The narration is informative.

Excellent Videography. Strong soundtrack. Hear those locomotives work, as they haul heavy coal tonnage. Well-paced program.

Single commodity programs can become boring. Same standardized type trains. They have the settings to provide scenic interest. Several other freights. Nicely done!

A worthy first part of a tour on The Pokey.

Rating: 5 Stars