New River Gorge National River
Here in Thurmond you-can recall the vital role that railroads played in the growth and prosperity of America. For more than 80 years Thurmond's railroads thrived. Amid the remnants of this once-bustling town, you can imagine the sounds of steam whistles and the clickety-clack of wheel on rail.
Stay off the tracks! The tracks are still active. If you walk into town, be alert for trains and cross the railroad tracks only at the road crossing.
(Inscription on the image in the bottom left) 1. Water from the Water Column was poured into the tender behind the steam engine to produce the steam for power.
2. Engines took on sand at the Sanding Tower. To gain traction on slippery track, sand was dropped onto the track in front of the drive wheels. 3. The Engine House was used for servicing and repairing steam engines. 4. At the Coaling and Sanding Station, the steam engine's tender was located with coal for fuel. Sand was stored here for later transfers to the sanding tower. 5. Commercial Row housed the many town businesses. 6. Water Tanks stored water pumped from the river. 7. The Railroad Commissary supplied railroad workers with all their needs, including meat, clothing, boots, shovels, and hardware. Charges were deducted from the worker's pay. (Inscription next to the image in the upper right) Ribbons of steel were -and
still are - Thurmond's main street. This postcard photo was taken around 1930.
d the of this once-bustling town, you can imagine the sounds of steam whistles and the clickety-clack of wheel on rail.
Stay off the tracks! The tracks are still active. If you walk into town, be alert for trains and cross the railroad tracks only at the road crossing.
(Inscription on the image in the bottom left) 1. Water from the Water Column was poured into the tender behind the steam engine to produce the steam for power.
2. Engines took on sand at the Sanding Tower. To gain traction on slippery track, sand was dropped onto the track in front of the drive wheels. 3. The Engine House was used for servicing and repairing steam engines. 4. At the Coaling and Sanding Station, the steam engine's tender was located with coal for fuel. Sand was stored here for later transfers to the sanding tower. 5. Commercial Row housed the many town businesses. 6. Water Tanks stored water pumped from the river. 7. The Railroad Commissary supplied railroad workers with all their needs, including meat, clothing, boots, shovels, and hardware. Charges were deducted from the worker's pay. (Inscription next to the image in the upper right) Ribbons of steel were -and still are - Thurmond's main street. This postcard photo was taken around 1930.
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