Something I thought I would never get to see, a train down the Berry Branch… It has been over 10 years since coal trains quit running this portion of the West End District which splits off at Parrish in rural Walker County Alabama, since then it has only been used for storage. Though I was already into train photography while NS was still shuttling coal down to the Mine at Berry, I never made it a priority to go after any… I regret it quite often.
Luckily we’re all about to get a 2nd chance to follow some coal trains along this scenic route as a new coal load-out is being built off of HWY 18 just west of Berry, AL. Coal drags are fixing to start back up again in the very near future! But obviously a lot of track and bridge work/inspections have to be done first along the branch since it’s been so long since trains have pounded the rails, work has been going on for several months now and it seems to be almost complete. Saturday night November 9th, NS ran a Herzog Ballast train to dump new Ballast along the line. This evening (November 10th) that same train started making the return trip from the end of the line at Berry back to Parrish, AL. And eventually to wherever it came from. However, the crew would have to shove their train all the way from Berry to Parrish. Over a 20 mile shove move, insane! Around 15:30 NS 90Z would start shoving their train out of Berry, AL. And about an hour later it would make it to one of the top shots I’ve always wanted along the line. The huge trestle over HWY 18 in the small community of Corona, AL. Luckily I had just enough light left to make something happen. Today was fun, and I am glad I was able to be out there to witness this move and to get this image. I can’t wait to have many more fun adventures along the Berry Branch and hopefully get some better images in some sunshine…
