Mullens in Wyoming County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

The Richest Little Railroad in the World

America's Byways

— Coal Heritage Trail — National Coal Heritage Area —

The Richest Little Railroad in the World Interpretive Panel image. Click for full size.

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

1. The Richest Little Railroad in the World Interpretive Panel

Inscription. With massive amounts of coal now being shipped from the region, the Elmore rail yard was soon built, where most of the coal that traveled along the Virginian ended up before heading to the Virginia coast for shipment. The rugged terrain between the Elmore Yard and Clarks Gap was a challenge for the locomotives as they started their journey to the coast. In order to conquer the steep grade, the world’s largest locomotives were used. In 1925, the Virginian eased the burden by electrifying the rails between Mullens and Roanoke, Virginia. This move brought even more growth to Mullens as all the Virginian electric locomotives were serviced here.

In 1959, the Virginian merged with the Norfolk and Western Railway. In 1982, Norfolk & Western merged with the Southern Railway forming the Norfolk Southern Railway. Muliens and the surrounding area continued to change and grow with the railroad over the years. The area residents show great pride in the railroad heritage that shaped so many of their lives.

Erected by America's Byways: Coal Heritage Trail, National Coal Heritage Area.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical year for this entry is 1925.

Location. 37° 34.701′ N, 81° 23.325′

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W. Marker is in Mullens, West Virginia, in Wyoming County. Marker is at the intersection of Guyandotte Avenue (West Virginia Route 16) and Lester Street, on the right when traveling west on Guyandotte Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mullens WV 25882, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Mullens (here, next to this marker); Mullens Historic District (here, next to this marker); The Virginian Arrives (here, next to this marker); Itmann Company Store (here, next to this marker); a different marker also named Mullens (within shouting distance of this marker); Virginian Railway Motor Barn (approx. half a mile away); Virginian Railway Station (approx. half a mile away); a different marker also named Mullens (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mullens.

More about this marker. This interpretive panel has three photographs. The main photograph is on the lower right, captioned, “Virginian electric locomotive #130 as it rolls through Mullens was built by General Electric, photo undated.” In the upper right is “a 1925 view of the Elmore rail yard with the Itmann tipple in the background.” On the lower left the photo is captioned, “the Virginian #102 electric locomotive hauled the regions coal to the Virginia coast for shipment worldwide.”

Five Interpretive Panels in Mullens image. Click for full size.

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

2. Five Interpretive Panels in Mullens

This panel is the second from the left.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 9, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 26, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 208 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 26, 2019, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.