Judy and I made a round trip to Moundsville, West Virginia by car in May of 2023 to attend our goddaughter’s college graduation and to see my son. Rather than do individual blogs for each day of the trip, I am going to include the highlight photos of the trip in this single blog entry. Flying may be quicker, but it is still more fun to drive when you have the time!
On May 11th here is a northbound CSX train passing through Lebanon Junction, Kentucky while also passing under the remains of a mainline coaling tower.
In the late afternoon of May 11th, we were fortunate enough to catch a westbound CSX train passing down the middle of East Main Street through LaGrange, Kentucky.
On May 13th our goddaughter Aubree is cutting her graduation cake.
My son Lukas had a grreat time at the party.
The event was held at the overlook at Grand Vue Park on top of the hills on the north side of Moundsville, West Virginia. I took this view with the drone for the best angle of this spot with a beautiful view of the Ohio River valley below.
Here is a better photo of the view showing the town below. The Ohio River is off to the right where you can see the highway bridge from West Virginia to Ohio.
On May 14th Judy and I drove down the West Virginia side of the Ohio River and stumbled onto this CSX local out of New Martinsville as it switches industries around Proctor, WV.
Just north of New Martinsville the local is seen southbound along the Ohio River.
Now the local is paralleling Front Street at the McEldoney Avenue crossing in New Martinsville.
About to enter the CSX New Martinsville Yard the local is seen passing over the Fishing Creek bridge.
Geese are at rest in Moundsville Riverfront Park on May 15th.
A few minutes later I launched the drone for these views of a northbound pushing move on the Ohio River negotiating the 90-degree bend in the river in order to pass under the bridge connecting Moundsville, WV to Highway 7 on the Ohio side of the river.
The River Tug is the “John Vaughn” owned by Excell Marine. A railroad connection can be made in that the “John Vaughn” is powered by GM 16-645E2 diesel engines also used in locomotives.
Now on the way home later on May 15th here is a set of Genessee & Wyoming’s Ohio Central power laying over in Zanesville, Ohio.
May 16th finds us in a light rain as a westbound Paducah & Louisville freight powered by two ex-CSX EMD SD70-MAC’s accelerates out of Princeton, Kentucky.
Overall, a great family trip accomplished with no incidents and a few trains to boot!