http://wvmetronews.com/2016/01/12/n...-pocahontas-division-with-roanoke-facilities/ "BLUEFIELD, W.Va. — Norfolk Southern confirmed the consolidation of its Pocahontas Division in Bluefield with its Roanoke facilities on Tuesday. The consolidation will affect management and office staff positions in Bluefield, which is currently the Pocahontas Division headquarters. Those employees will have an opportunity to relocate to Roanoke or apply for other positions at the company. With the consolidation, Norfolk Southern will operate 10 divisions across its network. The company’s rail yard in Bluefield will continue to operate."
The continued sharp decline of the coal industry causing more operational changes. The once HUGE yard at Bluefield has been nearly empty for a few years now.
Wow -- such sad news. I just can't picture Bluefield without thousands of carloads of black diamonds from end to end. I read too that NS's former Virginian mainline between Elmore, WV and Princeton, WV covering 33 Miles of line was mothballed last fall. I hope I'm wrong, but I doubt these lines and jobs are ever coming back. CSX's Clinchfield too gained headlines some months ago with severe cutbacks and a major yard closure in Erwin, TN.