Hagans switchback

[Railfan1]

A few years ago, I saw a pentrax movie entitled "CSX Eastern Kentucky Coal" (or something to that effect) and it showed a segment about "Hagans switchback" which was stated to be the only operational switchback left in the US. This was filmed in the 90's and I was wondering if this was still in use. It seemed very outdated in the 90's so I was wondering if it made it into the 21st century?

[Railway Man]

A few years ago, I saw a pentrax movie entitled "CSX Eastern Kentucky Coal" (or something to that effect) and it showed a segment about "Hagan's switchback" which was stated to be the only operational switchback left in the US. This was filmed in the 90's and I was wondering if this was still in use. It seemed very outdated in the 90's so I was wondering if it made it into the 21st century?

Here's a photo taken 10 months ago:

http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=182656&nseq=4

The definitive article is in August 1985 Trains, pages 24-32.  If you can't find a back copy, Trains will make a pdf or xerox for a nominal fee. 

The switchbacks at Hagans (no apostrophe), Virginia are unusual, though its really an accidental switchback at a one-way junction where the direction of through traffic reversed.  A true switchback is a line-of-road device used to advance a line over vertical topography more cheaply than loops or tunnels.  While there are numerous examples in North America of a train that enters a junction wrong-way and has to do a runaround, I don't know of another instance on a main track that has the full "intermediate leg" that enables the train to enter the leave the junction facing the same way it entered the junction.  The last switchback I can otherwise recall in regular service was on D&RGW's Monarch Branch, abandoned in 1983.  That was a true switchback, used to lift the line up the side of a mountain, and constructed with that intent.  I seem to recall one on CPR's Kimberley line in B.C., and there is at least one in Mexico in service.  

I wouldn't call this outdated or obsolete.  It's on a line with low train density and low operating speeds.  The cost of constructing a straight connection would probably never be repaid by the 30-45 minutes of running time per train that would be saved.  There are some other nominally outdated practices still in use such as doubling the hill that also make very good economic sense, too.

RWM 

[nanaimo73]

  The last switchback I can otherwise recall in regular service was on D&RGW's Monarch Branch, abandoned in 1983.  

The OC&E had a pair of switchbacks near Klamath Falls, profiled in the
June 1990 CTC Board.
http://wikimapia.org/#lat=42.417754&lon=-121.549301&z=14&l=0&m=a&v=2
It ran until Sept 1991.

[CShaveRR]

Doesn't the Cass Scenic Railway employ a "legitimate" switchback on its way up to Bald Knob?

[CSXDixieLine]

Yes, it is still there and very unaccessible (save for trespassing or some clever hiking). I was there in July 2007 with hopes of getting pictures or videos, and lo and behold there was a coal train negotiating the switchback. There were just a few spots where you could actually see parts of the train. Although this is in a remote rural area, every square inch is inhabited and it is hard to get to the tracks. You will never find more mobile homes with Mercedes and Lexus parked in the front yard.

That said, the switchback is part of the CSX Cumberland Valley (CV) subdivision and it is heavily used today by coal trains from southern Kentucky (Harlan County especially) moving into the southeast. The trains coming down out of Kentucky using the CV sub cross into Virginia, negotiate the switchback, then head northeast to Big Stone Gap, VA for the connection to the NS. It then uses NS track down through Natural Tunnel and connects with the upper part of the old Clichfield (now CSX Kingsport sub) at Frisco, TN. BTW this is a GREAT railfanning area if you are looking for coal action.

Useless fact of the day: the old Oneida & Western "green train" back in the 70s/80s ran along this route for a while before it was rerouted the "other way out" of the valley via Corbin, KY down through Knoxville, TN. But I have rambled along too much already!

[Railfan1]

Great information everyone. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Doesn't the Cass Scenic Railway employ a "legitimate" switchback on its way up to Bald Knob?

Now THAT is a railroad. grades steep enough to cause one to pause when considering walking downhill.

I believe there were switchbacks used, but rode it last as a child and dont remember much.