Grafton CSX Rail Yard

Two of the main industries in the state of West Virginia are interdependent. Coal and the railroad have long driven the economy of this state, as the rails are used to transport coal from the mines to the places it is used to produce energy; be it individual coal furnaces to major power generation plants. The town of Grafton has been a major hub for CSX Transportation (formerly Chessie System, formerly B&O Railroad) for decades. While the town has been in a state of decline for many years, and the railroad has lost much prominence, Grafton still has a railyard where you can see the trains at work.

The first picture shows a diesel locomotive in the Grafton railyard. This is just one of a number of these large vehicles that were there this afternoon. (Remember, to see a large picture, just click on the small version below.)


Diesel locomotive in Grafton

There were coal cars linked and ready to roll with their loads of coal, and others that were empty, and headed back to be refilled with the black fuel that still powers much of the American economy.


Coal ready to roll

Below are the empty cars that were on a track at the railyard. They obviously were ready to be loaded with their next batch of cargo.


We want coal!

US 50

US Highway 50 has been dubbed "The Loneliest Highway in America", because in its journey across the country, it goes through very few large cities. Its eastern terminus is in Ocean City, Maryland, and its western end is in West Sacramento, California. One of the towns it passes through is Grafton, West Virginia, where it crosses US 119. Just to the west of Grafton, US 50 has a short duplex with US 250.

Today, I went out and about a bit around the Grafton area, and took way too many pictures. I have processed just a few for the web, so here they are. As always, click on the small photos to view full size.


Old house on US 50

Perfect for Halloween, this looks like it would make a perfect haunted house. This structure was probably a very nice home back in its time, but with neglect and vacancy, its time has come and gone. Still, I think it makes a nice picture.


A once-common sight . . . roadside cabin motel

Back in the middle of the last century, America took to the highways. As motorists traveled across the country, they needed accommodations for those nights on the road. This little cabin-style motel could probably tell quite a few tales if it could talk. This is located on US 50 just a stone's throw from where US 250 branches off to the north toward the town of Fairmont.


US 50/US 250 split near Grafton

The next picture is looking toward the west from a vantage point near the motel. This is US 50 West toward the towns of Bridgeport and Clarksburg, some 12 miles or so ahead. At the curve, the road you see branching off to the right is US 250 North.


An old fruit stand on US 50

This old fruit stand is on the north side of US 50, just to the east of the old house in the first picture. I believe this one is still in use during part of the year, but it would be hard to tell from the way it looks neglected and abandoned. I would imagine this location would be quite a good spot to sell fruit to motorists on the old highway.