An eastbound C&O coal drag had stopped at the crossing at Maidens, VA on March 5, 1982 to allow the passing of a westbound train of empties. The water level James River and Rivanna Subdivisions were basically a conduit for coal traffic. Other than a manifest each way daily and locals, coal and the occasional grain train were about it. Speaking of locals, the "wood yard" was a staple of central and southern Virginia. Pulpwood was cut, loaded and shipped in quantity in this part of Virginia. Almost all pulpwood loaded on the C&O in Virginia was destined for the huge Westvaco paper mill at Covington, west of Clifton Forge.
