Towns and Nature: Grafton, WV: B&O Coaling Facilities, Roundhouse

Wednesday, May 24, 2017

Grafton, WV: B&O Coaling Facilities, Roundhouse

Roundhouse: (Satellite, at least part of the foundation still exists.)

Railyard: (Satellite, I had to keep zooming out because it is long. Many of the tracks still exist.)

Carl Venzke posted
Mixed paint schemes at Grafton, WV, 1976 - Donald Haskel Photo
Paul Maurone After the Chessie System merger of the B&O and the C&O.

Jamie Adams posted
A busy scene was captured in the spring of 1977 in Grafton, WV by photographer Max S. Robin in the heart of B&O country. From the coal tower to all the locomotives, the employee putting sand in one of them, and even the houses on the hill to the right. Just a well composed image of days gone by. - Kodachrome Slide. Collection of J.L. Adams.
Bryan Russell shared

Brian Bland commented on Jamie's post
My version from the same day. Same photographer.

B&O Railroad Museum posted

B&O Railroad construction crews arrived in Grafton, West Virginia in 1852 and found a largely undeveloped countryside. The introduction of the railroad fostered the community that would, in 4 years, be incorporated as an official town.

The naming of the town of Grafton is a point of speculation, with one story being that it was named after John Grafton, a civil engineer during the railroad’s construction. Another tale behind the naming attributes Grafton to the railroad construction crews, who were cited calling the area the “grafting on” point, as many branches were hooked up to the mainline there.

The early town of Grafton had a building called the Grafton House, which served as both a train station and hotel for passengers on the line. The Grafton House was constructed around 1852 and remained in use until the early 1900s, when growing rail traffic eventually made the space insufficient for the high volume of travelers.

Historic American Engineering Record, Creator, Benjamin Latrobe, Albert Fink, and Wendell Bullman. Northwestern Virginia B&O Railroad, Grafton Machine Shop & Foundry, U.S. 119 East of Tygart Valley River, Grafton, Taylor County, WV. Taylor County West Virginia Grafton, 1968. Documentation Compiled After. Photograph. https://www.loc.gov/item/wv0107/.

Bill Rettberg Jr. posted two photos with the comment: "Anyone who has taken in the action in Grafton West Virginia, has stood on this footbridge on the west side of the complex. Action was heaviest here, and every angle worked for good photos. This westbound is turning to head toward Parkersburg then eventually yo Cincinnati."

Curtis Tate: There must be a story about that wrecked hopper behind D Tower.

Randall Hampton shared

Riffle J Roger: The vandalia corp is letting the B&O station fall apart now.

Jim Kelling shared

Richard DeBrosse: The tracks west of Parkersburg to Cincinnati have been abandoned. These tracks still carried passenger service in the 1960’s that was popular with Ohio University (Athens, OH) from Cincinnati area.

Bill Rettberg Jr. posted
Eastbound coming into Grafton

John Tighe posted
B&O Grafton
John Tighe shared
Early Picture Grafton WV

Carl Venzke posted
B&O yard at Grafton, WV date and photographer unknown. Library of Congress Public Domain
[Library of Congress (Public Domain) from WeHeartWV, which became malware]

The turntable you see on the right side of the picture still exists.

Satellite

1876, Library of Congress (Public Domain) from WeHeartWV, which became malware

Obviously, the roundhouse got replaced with one that has longer stalls.

Library of Congress (Public Domain) from WeHeartWV, which became malware
[The coaling tower is just out of frame to the left.]
Rick Fleischer posted

Adams Burns posted
The roundhouse in Grafton, West Virginia; October, 1974. My collection.
Rick Shilling posted
1974 Baltimore and Ohio Railroad F7A
#4557 and GP9 # 6452 on Roundhouse Turntable at Grafton, West Virginia.

West Virginia Heritage, History, and Memories posted
The B&O turntable at Grafton with the Roundhouse in the background. No date.
Raymond Storey posted

Bill Rettberg Jr. posted
The railroad at night always had a surreal feeling to it. Movements in the dark, and eerie lighting made for drama the daylight just could not capture.
At Grafton West Virginia.
[I think the engine is by a sand tower.]

Evidently a lot of sand was needed to battle the mountian grades.

David Adair posted
Grafton 9-1-89.

Jane Marshall-Cost posted three photos with the comment:

Updated info: thank you Ed Bennet for the correction.
#1. B&O Yard - #3 switch box - Grafton, WV.
#2. Aerial view of the old Round House -Grafton, WV.
#3. My dad, Charles E. Marshall, Jr., working at the East End Yard Office, Grafton, WV.

Another view of the older roundhouse.

Library of Congress (Public Domain) from WeHeartWV, which became malware

Before the concrete coaling tower, there was a wooden coaling dock.

Library of Congress (Public Domain) from WeHeartWV, which became malware

1898, excerpted from LoC

Update:

This photo has been moved to "GN Tower"

Carl Venzke posted
Another Grafton, WV shot.
Paul Maurone After the "Chessie System" merger.

John W. Barriger III

Richard Jahn posted
Eastbound freight at Grafton, WV in 1972.

American-Rails.com posted
The classic era of the Baltimore & Ohio in Grafton, West Virginia is seen here during July of 1963. The station and hotel are just out of frame to the right but the covered platforms can be seen. Also note D Tower in the background. Much has changed here today. Roger Puta photo/Marty Bernard collection.

American-Rails.com posted (source) and Marty Bernard Flickr
A Baltimore & Ohio E8A shows her age as she leads train #11, the westbound "Metropolitan," which is stopped in Grafton, West Virginia on July 25, 1970. This train will soon be traversing the now-abandoned Parkersburg Branch (Clarksburg - Parkersburg) as it heads for Cincinnati. Despite the equipment's appearance, the B&O provided top-notch service until the end. Roger Puta photo.

William Hakkarinen posted
Chesapeake & Ohio power is beginning to appear in Grafton, WV in 1966.
Mark Stewart: Is that an insulated cart for bringing food stuffs to the passenger trains ? I have never seen such a cart !
William Hakkarinen: Mark Stewart It may be. The timetable states trains 11 and 12 had Sandwiches, snacks, and beverages between Keyser and Cincinnati.