K and M Railroad

I had an interesting day in the Gallipolis/Point Pleasant area.  I visited a railroad bridge connecting Ohio and West Virginia that was part of the K and M Railroad.  The Kanawha and Michigan Railroad ended up running into Fayette County, and it connected the Great Lakes with West Virginia.  Interestingly, located in very close proximity to this was the original Silver Bridge which collapsed in 1967 killing 46 people; a replacement, the Silver Memorial Bridge, was completed in 1969 at distance of roughly 1.5 kilometers down river.  Many of us are familiar with the Mothman tales related to the bridge.  Yet, for me, I still remember my father telling the story of how he and my mother were at the original Bob Evans eating when it happened.  They were going to go dancing at club in Point Pleasant, but dad wanted a Dutch Boy sandwhich from Bob Evans; a Dutch Boy was a cheeseburger he was fond of.  While they were eating, my Uncle Francis arrived saying grandma had sent him to look for dad because that !!??!!?? Silver Bridge had fallen. 

Here are the two bridgs next to one another.  I find it intersting that they were so close to one another.

THE BEGINNING

Greetings my friends!

This summer, I will be lucky enough to participate in a project in which myself and several other teachers from Cabell County Schools study the influences of railway transportation and forestry in the state of West Virginia.  This the first of several posts to my blog which will follow our group through the process.

Many of my friends from the project of last year have returned for a new adventure.  Yet, I would be remiss if I did not mention the addition of one Brian Mcneel to our group.  With the departure of Robert St. Clair, former chemistry teacher at Huntington High School, this old viking would have been on the prowl for new prey on which to play my many practical jokes. Fortunately, it did not take any time at all to realize how Brian would cleary be able to fill such an imperative role.

We have had three training sessions so far, with the intent of bringing us up to speed about the science behind timber harvesting in the state.  Moreover, one of our esteemed leaders, Steve Beckelheimer (the same hairy legged creature from last year), has spent much time explaining the biological perspectives of timber.

We have had two guest speakers so far.  Each gave us perspectives on railway transportation with link to Cabel County.  Tonight, we will be having class and an update will follow.  I just hope Brian Mcneel decides to finally comb his hair.

William