Although it was one of the shortest branch lines on the Norfolk & Western Railway, the first loads of coal from the Pocahontas coal region were hauled out on the 4.6 mile Pocahontas Branch. While coal mining began here in 1882, the N&W didn't complete the railroad into Pocahontas, Virginia until March 10, 1883. The first car load of coal was hauled out two days later. By the end of 1883 over 105,000 tons of coal had been hauled over the N&W to Norfolk for export overseas. This photograph is looking out of the south portal of Pocahontas Tunnel No. 1 towards Bridge 1152.