Norfolk & Western Pocahontas Division

The Pocahontas Division of the Norfolk & Western Railway covers the lines between Bluefield and Williamson, Bluefield and Norton, and all the lines of the Virginian Rwy. in West Virginia. Headquarters of the division is in Bluefield. This division is the "heart and soul" of the N&W because this is coal country. While the number of working mines and the number of branch lines (and branch lines from branch lines) has diminished, there is much tonnage moved from and through this division. There are three “main lines” and and several important connector branches. Curves, tunnels, and grades abound in this portion of southern West Virginia, far Southwest Virginia, and the eastern tip of Kentucky.

The three districts on the divison are the “Pocahontas District,” the “Clinch Valley District,” and the “Princeton-Deepwater District.” The Pocahontas District (the “Pokey”) covers the N&W main line between Bluefield and Williamson and includes a number of branches. The Clinch Valley District covers the N&W main line between Bluefield, W.Va. and Norton, Va. The district also includes the Dry Fork Branch between Cedar Bluff, Va. and Iaeger, W.Va. and the Buchanan Branch between Richlands, Va. and Devon, W.Va. The Princeton-Deepwater District (the “P-D”) covers the former Virginian Rwy. line from Kellysville to Princeton to Elmore and on to Deepwater. The district also includes the Guyandot River Branch from Elmore to Gilbert and the Winding Gulf Branch that extends from Elmore.