N312, coal loads for Cliffside, crosses the Catawba River and Lake James just north of the Marion siding on the Blue Ridge Sub. The distinctive outline of Shortoff Mountain is in the distance.

The DPU on N312, coal loads for Duke Energy's Cliffside Steam Station on the Brice Spur, crosses the Toe River and passes the elderly Clinchfield signal at NE Toe River.

The DPU on N312, coal loads for Duke Energy's Cliffside Steam Station on the Brice Spur, pushes the 92 loads up the gentle but lengthy grade of the Blue Ridge Sub.