(Correction: Whitewood, Virginia) Extremely overcast and heavy snow conditions, are the perfect backdrop for a gloomy abandonment photo such as this. Looking southwest in the little community of Whitewood, VA. This is where the N&W Jewell Valley branch connected back with the old N&W main in western Virginia. A Complete wye used to exist here to the left of the single aspect "distant" CPL signal to CP Wyatt. (still in use) Which is currently the junction for Norfolk Southerns Big Creek and Dismal Creek branches. Not visible just beyond the grove of trees. Jewell Valley, VA, 6.4 "railroad miles" from this current photo was a model coal town built by George L. Carter, founder and owner of the mighty Clinchfield Coal Co. Many of the mining operations on the Jewell Valley branch were shut down in the early 60's to late 70's but the small town itself remained at least until the early 80's. A handful of mines and prep plants remained in use on the line until the late 90's, early 2000's. However I am not sure how many of them recieved rail service. In 2002, Norfolk Southern filed for abadonment of the 6.4 mile spur from Wyatt (Whitewood) to Jewell Valley. The tracks remain intact the entire 6.4 miles. However recently the state of Virginia has turned the roadside right of way into a ATV trail. If anyone has anymore information on this spur I would love to hear about it!
