New angles at an old place...

New angles at an old place...

Living in the outer skirts of Charleston’s city limits, I’m fortunate to have decent access to major freeways and relatively decent secondary roads that lead you to the different areas of the state’s extensive rail network. A 50-mile jaunt to the south places me in the center of the National New River Gorge, a beautiful gorge dotted with old mining communities, abandoned rail yards, and the center of today’s tourism in West Virginia. The New River caters to hikers, cyclists, rafters, and the general outdoorsmen. Those with an appreciation of history, beauty, and good food will not be disappointed… And that’s a guarantee!

The route of the former Chesapeake & Ohio Railway mainline operates through the entire New River Gorge, which is operated and preserved by the U.S. National Park Service. The mainline railroad today is part of CSX’s Huntington Division and serves as a critical link for the transport of export coal to the ports of Virginia. In a cover story written for the National Railway Historical Society’s quarterly publication in Spring 2013, I followed much of the Gorge, documenting abandoned infrastructure, scenery, and passing trains.

One of the most identifiable locations within the Gorge today is the old town site of Thurmond. The National Park Service has made tremendous efforts in preserving the town’s icon C&O steam-era infrastructure. The old storefronts of the once profitable railroad and mining town have been restored for public display, while the C&O passenger station is open for public tours throughout the peak summer season. Despite its main appeal as a historic town for tourists, the small town, which was once the center of the highly profitable New River Coal market, is home to a five residents, per the 2010 census report.

The railroad still operates here today and while coal may not be once it was one in terms of frequency and car tonnage, Thurmond is still an important link to CSX and its operations along the New River Subdivision. From a photography perspective, the use of different lighting situations and angles make the possibilities for photography never-ending.

Visiting the area several times each year, I challenge myself in finding new compositions using different lighting situations and equipment. I have yet to find a place that offers as much history, beauty, and variety as the community of Thurmond. It’s a truly a preserved piece of West Virginia railroad history…