Hello, As part of a historical research project, I am looking for information (maps, pictures, documentation, etc) regarding a retired branch of the former C&O (Chesapeake and Ohio) Railroad that was known as the "Horse Creek Branch" located near Morrisvale, WV that went from Horse Creek Junction to Cameo, WV. Note that Cameo, WV was also known as Silush, WV which once had passenger service (Garner Station) and a post office. The "Horse Creek Branch" line was constructed in 1911 and retired in the 1960's/1970's. I am also interested in obtaining information regarding any lines that were a part of the "Horse Creek Branch" line. For example, the "Peters Cave Fork Branch" was retired (AFE 15899) in 1943. The primary industry for the Horse Creek Branch was coal. The following is a list of mines that are known to have existed at one time or another. Cameo Splint Coal Co. (1936-1941) -> Cameo Mine Cameo Coal Moning Co. (1941-1951) -> Cameo & Carolina Mines Horse Creek Block Coal Co. (1914-1928) -> Opal No. 1, Hores Creek Mines Boone Block Mining Co. (1918-1923) -> No. 1, Boone Block No. 2 Mines Jarroll Coal Co. (1945-1951) -> Jarroll No. 1 Mine Morrisvale Coal Co. (1921-1930) (1945-1950) -> Morrisvale No. 1 Mine Pauley Coal Co. (1944-1948) -> Royal Block Mine (Horse Creek ???) Rich Block Coal Co. (1918-1924) -> No. 1 & 2, Rich Block Mines Royal Block Coal Co. (1916-1925) (1948-1949) -> No. 1 & 2, Royal Block, Watts Mines Royal Block Mining Co. (1949-1951) -> No. 1 Mine Scott Coal Co. (1920-1924) -> Scott No. 4 Mine Silush Coal Co. (1916-1926) -> Red Star, Silush Mines Vanbail Coal Co. (1920-1926) -> Vanbail Mine Warner Block Coal Co. (1918-1927) -> Warner Block, Walker Mines West Virginia Southern Coal Co. (1927-1929) -> No. 41, No. 71, No. 81 Mines White Ash Block Coal Co. (1918-1924) -> White Ash Block Mine During my research, I have managed to gather a lot of information but most of it is fragmented and frequently contains small bits of additional information that I believe may be significant but is often difficult to decipher and put into proper context without additional resources. I have submitted requests for information to the National Archives, C&O Historical Society, and a number of other places with mixed results. Any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated. Please see the attached map image for reference. A larger (full size) version of the attached map image is here: http://oi52.tinypic.com/10e1z08.jpg Thank you.
