A trio of E44s scurry empties into the massive junction at Alloy, where the railroad interchanges with the newly minted Norfolk Southern, formerly N&W, nee-Virginian, and also keeps a small yard to help work the massive ferrosilicon plant. The former Union Carbide plant was sold to Elkem Metals in 1981 - the same year the Silver Lines acquired the E44s (and E33s) - and that sale caused the plant to shift focus to the alloy. Some materials from Belpre are brought down by SLRR, others arrive via NS, and the finished product is moved by both railroads.
The non-electrified portion of the line from Clear Creek to Beckley rarely sees coal cars, typically manifests take this line. Wires were strung up in 1990, however.
There did exist a time when plunky Alco switchers ruled some of the mine runs in the Clear Creek region...
Farther north in Clay, a remnant of the steam era is found in town beside the Elk River. When steam died on the division, the Pennsy used the maintenance tracks as a crew change point from time to time, but ultimately, their usage fell by the wayside. The signals that guarded the 'siding' were deemed no longer necessary, and the main track signals were pulled off and re-mounted to poles beside the tower. The initial plan was to remove the signal bridge, but with Penn Central on the horizon, it was never carried out. Instead, the remaining signals stayed dark until the Silver Lines took over and implemented the electrification. The bridge was too short to keep in service thanks to the tall catenary, thus necessitating its removal in late 1971, and the remaining signals were harvested for their parts.
Meanwhile, halfway across the country...
Cheers,
SM