"The Heart of the Nation's Coal Bin" - Welch, West Virginia: Nestled deep in the heart of southern West Virginia lies the city of Welch. Founded in 1893 and named after Isaiah Welch, a former Confederate Army captain and later surveyor following the American Civil War who developed the city, Welch is the county seat for McDowell County. As a major point along the Norfolk & Western's right of way for hauling coal, Welch, WV boomed through the early and mid 20th century as McDowell county's population reached upwards of 100,000 people. With oil replacing coal as the predominant export fuel, Welch's population slowly declined beginning in the 1950s and 1960s with its population today estimated at about 1,644. Even with harder times today for the city, Welch still has a great "coal mining town" feel and a history that is integral to the development of America's industrial might.
Taken from U.S. Route 52 or Coal Heritage Road, an eastbound Norfolk Southern manifest train lead by ES44DC #7594 is about to enter Welch Tunnel and begin the long fight up Elkhorn Grade enroute for Bluefield, WV and points east on the afternoon of February 20, 2021.
