Thurmond in Fayette County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
Thurmond’s Decline
— New River Gorge National River —
Look down the railroad tracks. You might see a train coming. But if you do, you won’t see an engine fueled by coal, belching smoke and steam, as you would have during Thurmond’s heyday. Instead, you will see an engine powered with diesel fuel.
Thurmond was a rail center, with a steam engine repair shop that employed up to 175 workers. But when the C&O Railway switched to diesel in the mid-1950s, the need for Thurmond’s repair shop lessened. Combined with the decline of coal mining, the arrival of diesel brought Thurmond’s golden era to an end.
Diesel Versus Steam
Why did rail lines switch from steam to diesel? Money, of course. In 1955 alone, diesels saved the C&O Railway 28 percent in operating costs, or $25 million. Diesels could start at the flip of a switch, travel long distances without costly repairs, and were more fuel efficient. They required fewer workers, too. Two men working a diesel replaced six on a heavy steam engine. Gone were machinists, boilermakers, and pipefitters. Gone, too, were repair centers like Thurmond.
Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1955.
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 37° 57.534′ N, 81° 4.824′ W. Marker was in Thurmond, West Virginia, in Fayette County. Marker was on Main Street. The marker is in old town. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 174 Main St, Thurmond WV 25936, United States of America.
We have been informed that this sign or monument is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. July 2013 (within shouting distance of this marker); 1998 (within shouting distance of this marker); 1995 (within shouting distance of this marker); 1995 - 1998 (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named 1995 (within shouting distance of this marker); Changing Town (within shouting distance of this marker); 1993 (within shouting distance of this marker); 1985 (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Thurmond.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 8, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 27, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 326 times since then and 23 times this year. Last updated on March 7, 2024, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 27, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide shot of the marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?