West Virginia Railroads: Railroading in the Mountain State by Thomas W. Dixon, Jr. Overview history of west Virginia railroads from origins to modern times, including N&W, C&O, B&O, WM, Virginian, and NYC (Kanawha & Michigan subsidiairy), as well as short lines and logging railroads. First of a series on railroads in West Virginia, this book gives a general history of each line from its construction into the state, details its various lines, coal traffic, and branches. Many maps help explain how each railroad served the state's main industry: coal mining. Photos include locomotives, terminals, yards, passenger and freight trains, mine tipples, stations, and logging operations. With 98% of its land forms on a gradient, West Virginia offered challenges that the railroads met with big steam and heavy action. Period emphasis is on the transition years 1940-1960. Later volumes will treat each individual railroad in the state separately in more detail. Superb photos, maps and drawings. 128 pages softbound
