Trains magazine did a cover feature on the Hagans switchback in the 80’s that was really good! It also covered the interesting history of why it’s there. It was intended as a temporary “fix”, but wound up being permanent. The Big Stone Gap area was the scene of massive infrastructure changes in the 80’s including a new connection between the former L&N and Southern railways that saw CSX trains begin running over NS to Frisco, Va. (I think) and NS trains running over the former Clinchfield from St. Paul, Va. I’ve been to Hagans a couple times, but never succeeded in seeing anything traverse it! And that was back in the 80’s when coal was booming! Great vid!
Words cannot describe how great this video is, mostly because of the Hagans Switchback part. The operation has not been shown on UA-cam or any internet source, but Pentrex has a approx. 10 minutes of the operation in their Eastern Kentucky Coal production. From digging around on the internet, I found that their are generally only two or less trains that will run, one in the morning, and on in the late afternoon, so being able to film this with adequate lighting is remarkable. I was able to visit Hagans in late March, but I could not get any decent photos. Loyall yard and the CV sub in general has been stripped, no crew members are based in Loyall anymore, the old CV main which at one time ran west from the track above Hagans and before the middle part was originally reduced to a siding, but now it is no more. It is rather disappointing that such a unique rail operation has been reduced to almost nothing. But thank you for documenting this. Just a quick question though, is their still a searchlight at the switchback? I did not see one when I was there for about 50 minutes.
Thanks! It's my understanding that traffic fluctuates on this line according to coal demand. The day I was out, three trains all went through the switchback, but I only caught the one towards the end of the day. Some days, the switchback gets no use. I felt very fortunate just to see one! To answer your question, no. There is no longer a searchlight at the switchback. However, there are newer Safetran hooded signals guarding each end of the tunnel. One of them can be seen in my drone shot around 16:27 if you look down to the right of the train.
This is astounding, for real! This is where we find ourselves now with the state of camera technology; that a hobbyist can create a railfan video of even greater quality than those of the professionals put out 20 years ago! Some may recall the Pentrax East Kentucky Coal VHS video that was put out between '89 - '91, I believe. It's good partly because of the array of fallen flag and first generation CSX scheme. But as someone else pointed out, this is one area of railroading that is not covered often. I think this is the first published video I've seen of Hagans Swtichback since the Pentrax video! Now we have compact cameras with HiDef! Add drone technology, and it just takes railfanning to a new level, no pun intended. And not to take away from the hard work of both past pros and present day hobbyists. It still takes a good eye, planning, and patience to get good shots. Excellent video! Thanks for sharing!
Hagans is a fascinating place. The tunnel and the switchback date from about 1930 and are there because the L&N was supposed to build a connection to the Clinchfield as part of the acquisition of the CC&O by the ACL/L&N in the 1920s. This line was to have gone on beyond the switchback and would have connected to the Clinchfield around Speers Ferry. Then came the depression, and so after the Switchback was done, no more construction occurred and the connection was made via the InterState RR at Miller Yard. In the fall of 2003, the L&NHS held their annual meeting in Kingsport and this was one of the places we visited and by prior arrangement we got to see this action at the switchback. As a SR employee from 6/65 to 8/78 I made many trips to Appalachia to do geometry tests on the Catawba & Belmont unit train routes. After 2.5 years at the FRA, I worked for Chessie/CSX from 11/80 till retirement in 4/2001.
Greatly appreciate your video ;D just remember the ghosts of L&N c420s & u23bs & u25Cs are chugging right along with the big GEs on tonnage. Perhaps a few L&N cabs & m of w equipment for good measure ;D
Evan, this was incredible to watch. It's a part of the country that never gets any attention. I wanted to see a train there this summer when we were driving through, but nothing was moving. Looks like I'll have to take another trip sometime this year. Thanks for getting this.
This was so good, the sound of that horn echoing through those hills, the dog barking was spooky good. Seeing what was involved in that switching was a first for me involving a switchback. I love the drone action and kudos to the crew for being so cool. Awesome video!
Great video. Any word on where they still load ... last I was down this way maybe 6-8 years ago they had 2 loadouts on both left and right fork of straight creek, one at Balkan and one at Blackstar on the way to Harlan. Out of Harlan they had 2 on poor fork (Totz and Cumberland), 2 on clover fork (Brookside and HiSplint) and 2 on Martins Fork (Liggett and Merna). There was also some loading strings at the yard in Middlesboro, and both Bonnie Blue and near Kemmer Jem above St Charles.
Evan, this is amazing. We discussed this switchback when you posted the Corbin-Etowah territory and how coal traffic was down. I never expected to see much more about it. Now you gave a perspective I didn't know I wanted ! Excellent as always. TAH
Great video! I know a track inspector who lives in Loyall. On the first train he said he was riding on the C820 with the same motors (CSX 3150 & CSX 630.)
Excellent video. I used to a Pentrex VHS tape with the Hagens Tunnel switchback just west of Smith. It got eaten by the VHS machine. I think it might be part of the King Coal series. This was cooler because of the view from the drone.
I love this video. This is the part of the country where I grew up and it is nice to see its railroad heritage on display here. Growing up in East Stone Gap, we were often surrounded on three sides by Southern coal trains several times a day. How long was the train at Hagans Switchback? I had read in a CSX service bulletin that they "extended" the length of the track at the switchback to allow expansion to a 110 car train size.
Thanks Johnny! I don't recall the number of cars on U371, but it had to be close to 110. I think one defect detector reported it just shy of 6000 feet.
That yard at Loyall. How sad. I'm sure at one point it was full of both empty trains headed to the mines and loaded trains headed to points and destinations. good video.
Just found you today and subscribed . Awesome shots , were losing our hubs like this everyday .Please keep up the great work ...That drone takes it to a whole nother level ...
I use to work it as a conductor years ago. Assuming operation is still the same, coming south, trains have a manned helper on the bottom. So just reverse the process. Train stops to let conductor off at Hagans yd, train pulls ahead almost to end. Train stop, conductor closes both angle cocks, pusher engineer cuts in his brakes,tests, then pulls the bottom portion of the train ahead over the switch. Switch is thrown, then backs his train portion into other track. Once he clears the connection track, stops, switch is thrown...and he pulls ahead. Pulls back over switch, then back on to the original head end portion of train. Couples up, train is solid, but now original engineer cuts out his brakes, and train backs up with pusher engineer controlling the brakes. Pulls over next spring switch, pusher cuts out and original head end power cuts brakes in, test....and they are now southbound and down.
Shoestring sent me here....Nice Video Imaging - Thanks for posting!!!
Amazing footage. Reminds me of the Gondolas of Coal that run thru the New River Gorge in WV
Trains magazine did a cover feature on the Hagans switchback in the 80’s that was really good! It also covered the interesting history of why it’s there. It was intended as a temporary “fix”, but wound up being permanent. The Big Stone Gap area was the scene of massive infrastructure changes in the 80’s including a new connection between the former L&N and Southern railways that saw CSX trains begin running over NS to Frisco, Va. (I think) and NS trains running over the former Clinchfield from St. Paul, Va. I’ve been to Hagans a couple times, but never succeeded in seeing anything traverse it! And that was back in the 80’s when coal was booming! Great vid!
Another home run Evan. A unique look at a unique operation.
the echo of the horn great work
I saw C821 in Kingsport few months ago
Words cannot describe how great this video is, mostly because of the Hagans Switchback part. The operation has not been shown on UA-cam or any internet source, but Pentrex has a approx. 10 minutes of the operation in their Eastern Kentucky Coal production. From digging around on the internet, I found that their are generally only two or less trains that will run, one in the morning, and on in the late afternoon, so being able to film this with adequate lighting is remarkable. I was able to visit Hagans in late March, but I could not get any decent photos. Loyall yard and the CV sub in general has been stripped, no crew members are based in Loyall anymore, the old CV main which at one time ran west from the track above Hagans and before the middle part was originally reduced to a siding, but now it is no more. It is rather disappointing that such a unique rail operation has been reduced to almost nothing. But thank you for documenting this. Just a quick question though, is their still a searchlight at the switchback? I did not see one when I was there for about 50 minutes.
Thanks! It's my understanding that traffic fluctuates on this line according to coal demand. The day I was out, three trains all went through the switchback, but I only caught the one towards the end of the day. Some days, the switchback gets no use. I felt very fortunate just to see one! To answer your question, no. There is no longer a searchlight at the switchback. However, there are newer Safetran hooded signals guarding each end of the tunnel. One of them can be seen in my drone shot around 16:27 if you look down to the right of the train.
***** Thanks!
Awesome Evan, always liked watching material on the Hagans Switchback
dont have Tehatchapi?....well we'll just put in a switchback...no problem....gotta love L&N
Another fine video, Thanks. The crew must have liked you.
This is astounding, for real! This is where we find ourselves now with the state of camera technology; that a hobbyist can create a railfan video of even greater quality than those of the professionals put out 20 years ago! Some may recall the Pentrax East Kentucky Coal VHS video that was put out between '89 - '91, I believe. It's good partly because of the array of fallen flag and first generation CSX scheme. But as someone else pointed out, this is one area of railroading that is not covered often. I think this is the first published video I've seen of Hagans Swtichback since the Pentrax video! Now we have compact cameras with HiDef! Add drone technology, and it just takes railfanning to a new level, no pun intended. And not to take away from the hard work of both past pros and present day hobbyists. It still takes a good eye, planning, and patience to get good shots. Excellent video! Thanks for sharing!
outstanding video
Also renumber to include a few runs with office car equipment as well for L&N brass ;D
Hagans is a fascinating place. The tunnel and the switchback date from about 1930 and are there because
the L&N was supposed to build a connection to the Clinchfield as part of the acquisition of the CC&O by the
ACL/L&N in the 1920s. This line was to have gone on beyond the switchback and would have connected
to the Clinchfield around Speers Ferry. Then came the depression, and so after the Switchback was done,
no more construction occurred and the connection was made via the InterState RR at Miller Yard. In the
fall of 2003, the L&NHS held their annual meeting in Kingsport and this was one of the places we visited
and by prior arrangement we got to see this action at the switchback. As a SR employee from 6/65 to
8/78 I made many trips to Appalachia to do geometry tests on the Catawba & Belmont unit train routes.
After 2.5 years at the FRA, I worked for Chessie/CSX from 11/80 till retirement in 4/2001.
Greatly appreciate your video ;D just remember the ghosts of L&N c420s & u23bs & u25Cs are chugging right along with the big GEs on tonnage. Perhaps a few L&N cabs & m of w equipment for good measure ;D
I live right beside this line.
Evan, this was incredible to watch. It's a part of the country that never gets any attention. I wanted to see a train there this summer when we were driving through, but nothing was moving. Looks like I'll have to take another trip sometime this year. Thanks for getting this.
This was so good, the sound of that horn echoing through those hills, the dog barking was spooky good. Seeing what was involved in that switching was a first for me involving a switchback. I love the drone action and kudos to the crew for being so cool. Awesome video!
Excellent Job!
Switchbacks on a Class 1 railroad?? if you hadn't filmed it I wouldn't have believed it. Great camera work as always.
Beautifully filmed. There are so many rail videos on yt, but i enjoy Yours and Scott Hiddelston's the most. Greetings from Europe!
Pentrex's Eastern Kentucky Coal video covers the Hagan switchback
Great video. Any word on where they still load ... last I was down this way maybe 6-8 years ago they had 2 loadouts on both left and right fork of straight creek, one at Balkan and one at Blackstar on the way to Harlan. Out of Harlan they had 2 on poor fork (Totz and Cumberland), 2 on clover fork (Brookside and HiSplint) and 2 on Martins Fork (Liggett and Merna). There was also some loading strings at the yard in Middlesboro, and both Bonnie Blue and near Kemmer Jem above St Charles.
Evan, this is amazing. We discussed this switchback when you posted the Corbin-Etowah territory and how coal traffic was down. I never expected to see much more about it.
Now you gave a perspective I didn't know I wanted ! Excellent as always.
TAH
Loved this video im from Pineville and have railfanned some of the same places in the past!
Great video! I know a track inspector who lives in Loyall. On the first train he said he was riding on the C820 with the same motors (CSX 3150 & CSX 630.)
Awesome video, Evan. Glad to finally see this operation captured on video.
Very nice work. I especially like the audio editing you did with the quadcopter.
Stunning shots a perfect Mixturen between ground Fotos andaerial views. THW Video clearly Staates how a switchback works. Admire your work.
Excellent video! I have always wanted to get Hagans Switchback!!
Excellent video. I used to a Pentrex VHS tape with the Hagens Tunnel switchback just west of Smith. It got eaten by the VHS machine. I think it might be part of the King Coal series. This was cooler because of the view from the drone.
Another awesome video. You took some great shots. I now have a better understanding of how Hagans switchback works.
Very cool! Well done and keep up the good work!
Great video! Informative and entertaining. Thanks so much for sharing it with us!
I love this video. This is the part of the country where I grew up and it is nice to see its railroad heritage on display here. Growing up in East Stone Gap, we were often surrounded on three sides by Southern coal trains several times a day.
How long was the train at Hagans Switchback? I had read in a CSX service bulletin that they "extended" the length of the track at the switchback to allow expansion to a 110 car train size.
Thanks Johnny! I don't recall the number of cars on U371, but it had to be close to 110. I think one defect detector reported it just shy of 6000 feet.
Yet another incredible video!
That yard at Loyall. How sad. I'm sure at one point it was full of both empty trains headed to the mines and loaded trains headed to points and destinations.
good video.
Johnathan Lewis q
Just found you today and subscribed . Awesome shots , were losing our hubs like this everyday .Please keep up the great work ...That drone takes it to a whole nother
level ...
Never seen it with a drone but I have filmed the area many times, I live here just a couple miles from the switchback
What radio frequencies and channels sure used? And where she the crews based out if now instead of loyall yard ky?
Was all the photography done with drone or some with drone and some hand/tripod held?
What lens do you use with your D3200?
I use a Nikor 18-55 and a Nikor 55-200.
How do trains navigate the switchback southbound?
I use to work it as a conductor years ago. Assuming operation is still the same, coming south, trains have a manned helper on the bottom. So just reverse the process. Train stops to let conductor off at Hagans yd, train pulls ahead almost to end. Train stop, conductor closes both angle cocks, pusher engineer cuts in his brakes,tests, then pulls the bottom portion of the train ahead over the switch. Switch is thrown, then backs his train portion into other track. Once he clears the connection track, stops, switch is thrown...and he pulls ahead.
Pulls back over switch, then back on to the original head end portion of train. Couples up, train is solid, but now original engineer cuts out his brakes, and train backs up with pusher engineer controlling the brakes. Pulls over next spring switch, pusher cuts out and original head end power cuts brakes in, test....and they are now southbound and down.