Virginian Railway Motor Barn

— Coal Heritage Trail —

Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 15, 2019

1. Virginian Railway Motor Barn Marker

Inscription. The Mullens electric locomotive maintenance shop built in 1925 for the Virginian Railway was known as the “Motor Barn.” The main work section was a 45 foot high brick building 200 feet by 75 feet with two overhead cranes and three service tracks for the repair of the large heavy “EL” class electric locomotives built by the Westinghouse Electric Comoany. An additional shop area was 25 foot high, 40 by 300 foot long which included the offices and locker rooms. Other structures were the store house, oil house, generator house, sand house and a 75 foot tall water tank holding 75,000 gallons for the fire hydrant supply. In addition to the three tracks going into the building there were five storage tracks and an outside track with an inspection pit. At one time, working 3 shifts, 7 days a week, it had 330 employees. The three unit electric locomotives hauled the coal and freight across the mountains from Mullens to Roanoke. After the purchase of diesel locomotives in 1954-1957 the premises were used for their repair and servicing also. After the electric locomotives were discontinued in 1983 and the servicing of the diesels moved to other locations the Motor Barn was empty and idle for nearly ten years. The Clearfork Coating Inc. leased the premises for coating metals in 2000.

Erected 2001 by West

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Virginia Archives and History; Donated by Mullens Chamber of Commerce.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Coal Heritage Trail, and the West Virginia Archives and History series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1925.

Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 37° 34.932′ N, 81° 22.815′ W. Marker was in Mullens, West Virginia, in Wyoming County. It was at the intersection of Moran Avenue (West Virginia Route 16) and 1st Street ( Route 16), on the left when traveling south on Moran Avenue. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Mullens WV 25882, United States of America.

We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

Regionally, this marker was in the Southern Coalfields.

It was also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it was in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Mullens (approx. 0.2 miles away); a different marker also named Mullens (approx. half a mile away); Itmann Company Store (approx. half a mile away); Mullens Historic District (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Mullens (approx. half a mile away); The Virginian Arrives (approx.

Virginian Railway Station and Virginian Railway Motor Barn Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, July 15, 2019

2. Virginian Railway Station and Virginian Railway Motor Barn Markers

They are at the foot of First Street. The railroad tracks run left to right above the retaining wall.

half a mile away); The Richest Little Railroad in the World (approx. half a mile away); Captain J.F. Lyttle, Jr. Memorial Park & Playground (approx. 0.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mullens.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Virginian Railway Station (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed).

Regarding Virginian Railway Motor Barn. The structure was demolished in 2011.

Electric Locomotive Shops, Mullens, W.Va. image. Click for full size.

J.J. Prats postcard collection, circa 1935

3. Electric Locomotive Shops, Mullens, W.Va.

The red brick building is the Motor Barn. Linen postcard with divided back. Numbered on its face in the lower right: 17.772. On its back: “A Colourpicture Publication, Boston 15, Mass. U.S.A.”

Credits. This page was last revised on August 25, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 25, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,186 times since then and 98 times this year. Last updated on August 25, 2024, by Dave W of Co, Colorado. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 25, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 3. submitted on September 3, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.