Coal on Loup Creek: Railfanning the RJ Corman West Virginia Line

Join White Oak Rail as we chase loaded coal trains on the RJ Corman West Virginia Line, former Chesapeake and Ohio Loup Creek Branch, from Mount Hope to Thurmond, WV over two separate days in March 2021.
White Oak Rail wishes to thank Sarah Coleman for her help in this production.
whiteoakrail.w...

[@100_blackrock7]

Thanks, I read the article in Trains and I'm glad I watched your video.

[@whiteoakrail]

Thank you for watching.

[@jeffrumbach150]

How often are you putting new videos on your page and many days a week Looking forward to seeing bringing empty hoppers into Mt.Hope and Pabst Pike to the how u here reverse of brining empty hoppers onto the line and into mine and spotting cars when loading the cars with coar

[@whiteoakrail]

I don’t have a set schedule for video releases. I don’t rush my work so only when I believe a video is as good as it can be will I release it. As for wanting the empties and mine shots, that’s probably what I’ll be focusing on for the next video of this line. I don’t know when that will be though.

[@jacktaggart2489]

Excellent video! I have been to Thurmond and Pax , but have never seen a coal train actually at either location. Great shots of the rustic line movements and of actually seeing the CSX and RJ Corman power in action. Classic rugged WV coal train operations at its best; not exactly easy to capture. Informative commentary, as well. CSX and RJ Corman M of W vehicles a nice added touch. Thank you.

[@whiteoakrail]

Thank you so much for the kind words, Jack

[@christopherdibble5872]

The engineers don't wave from the trains anymore, like they did back in 1954.(trackside)

[@stevenkitchen962]

Great insight into American Railroading 😀interesting video enjoyed watching thanks !!!

[@whiteoakrail]

Thank you for watching

[@johnmann1336]

As far as I am concerned you can film Loup Creek many more times throughout the year. It's a fascinating line.

[@whiteoakrail]

I agree it is. Mountain railroading at it’s best if you ask me.

[@walterlangston7866]

got video of train in glean jean on collens hill road so loud comming around that curve and great place to film to

[@anthstrains2548]

Do you happen to know how many trains go through Thurmond per day?

[@whiteoakrail]

Unfortunately I don’t have an exact number. I’d say anywhere between 6 and 15 but that’s just a guess based on experience and what I’ve seen others say

[@lostb01]

Thanks for doing this video. Please keep then coming as they are a great inspiration for modeling Cheers Anthony from Australia

[@whiteoakrail]

Thank you for watching, I certainly plan to. Never would have imagined it would be a great inspiration for modeling but as with all modeling, whatever you enjoy.

[@lostb01]

@@whiteoakrail if you go back a few years they also switched the old Georgia Pacific plant and Austin powders. I think but don't hold me to it a gp16 was on the line at one point. And with the way it follows the creek and the road crossings just makes for some very beautiful scenery. If you could do a few fall time videos that be great as that's the time of year I'm trying to model.

[@whiteoakrail]

Sadly the Georgia Pacific plant has long since closed. I’d love to get a fall time video either way, it’s too beautiful not to

[@CC-lb4lc]

This is such an interesting documentation to watch man I just actually took a job with them and I’m starting next week so I look forward to seeing you on the rails

[@whiteoakrail]

Thank you for watching. Hope you enjoy your time on the railroad and hope to see you out there.

[@albertringshauser7267]

I like seeing train action in Thurman West Virginia. Thanks. Looking forward to seeing more.

[@whiteoakrail]

Absolutely! Love Thurmond

[@natgass8102]

it would be interesting to film the mine loading the cars if they allowed you to do so, Do you know how many 110 car trains a week they send out to interchange with CSX?

[@whiteoakrail]

I’d love to film the mine but I have a feeling that won’t be allowed if I asked. As for trains a week, I do not know the exact number

[@1940limited]

Thurmond is a great place for rail action if you get there at the right time. Same for the Loup Creek Branch. I'd like to see the operation where the coal cars are filled. It's nice to see all this coal action still taking place in WV. Is the track directly in front of the sation still used for anything?

[@whiteoakrail]

I agree, it is a great place. As I understand it’s going to be torn up to put a new platform there to comply with Amtrak rules about accessibility.

[@1940limited]

@@whiteoakrail Yeah, that figures. Government intervention once again.

[@draff1662]

Great, enjoyable video - thanks for documenting this line. I appreciate rail fans like you who take the time to do this.

[@whiteoakrail]

Thanks for much for the comment. Just trying to show some good mountain railroading

[@natgass8102]

is the reason the track limit is 10 MPH because of the grade and weight of the coal cars or is it because the track isn’t in the best shape, also was that RJ Corman operating CSX’s locomotives or was that CSX’s track & operation?

[@whiteoakrail]

I’m honestly not sure. It was 12mph in 1980 on the Chessie System so I assume it’s due to the grade but that’s just an assumption. As for the operation, that’s RJ Corman using CSX power on their own line. They leave the train for CSX in Thurmond.

[@natgass8102]

thanks

[@michaelslavey8169]

That'was a great video bring me some more

[@sanddabz5635]

Well done! Would you know what the chain at 25:02 is used for?

[@whiteoakrail]

I do not

[@jeffrumbach150]

Lucas what the number of hopper cars do they bring into Pax for one train at a time and how many trains come out R J Corman switch a week ?

[@whiteoakrail]

Jeff I’ve never actually counted how many cars are on the train believe it or not. Only time I remember hearing a number is I heard a crew saying they had 110 loads one time. As for how many trains a week, I’ve heard they’re bringing them down almost daily now.

[@jeffrumbach150]

I was just wondering if you ever had a chance to ask R J Coalman what was the maximum number of car they can have at the coal mine in Pax

[@albertvieira6635]

I like your video I given an A+ job well done you keep up the good work

[@whiteoakrail]

Thank you. Will do

[@jeffrumbach150]

Nice work Lucas Did you think there enough reason and enough Amtrak customers getting on the train in Thurmond to removed that railroad track closest to the train station

[@whiteoakrail]

I think that was just part of the plan to put in the new platform. Had to make room for it

[@jeffrumbach150]

Doesn't sound like very good investment where is a service equipment going to park it train in Thurmond

[@whiteoakrail]

I’m sure they’ll find a spot, although for the life of me I don’t know where

[@donnebes9421]

Excellent video thanks

[@whiteoakrail]

Thanks for watching

[@michaelpowell3980]

I did not expect to see a tunnel motor! nice vid!

[@whiteoakrail]

I didn’t either. I knew they had them but I didn’t think I’d see one in action

[@johnathanlewis2049]

Awesome video!!

[@whiteoakrail]

Thanks for watching!

[@davevan8864]

Good stuff!! I live in southern WV and can't see enough trains!!! I have never seen a tunnel motor, built a model of one....so cool catch! thx

[@whiteoakrail]

Thanks for watching!

[@petercollingwood4108]

Railroads and coal go together 🇬🇧🇬🇧

[@whiteoakrail]

Yes they do

[@j2themac778]

Cool video, lots of action and neat scenery.

[@whiteoakrail]

Thanks for watching

[@williammummert645]

nice video, thanks for sharing

[@whiteoakrail]

Thanks for watching

[@newjerseyray]

Great job! Thanks!

[@whiteoakrail]

Thanks so much!

[@Daddymouse-ny9cz]

Good work! Keep it up!

[@whiteoakrail]

Will do