One mile east of Matoaka the Virginian Railway mainline and the N&W Bluestone Branch passed through tunnels that were less than 100' apart. This view is looking east at the west portal of the Virginian's Matoaka Tunnel (left) and the N&W's Widemouth Tunnel No. 2 (right). Each railroad spanned Widemouth Creek just outside of their respective tunnels. Note the remains of an electrical substation above the Virginian Tunnel. The Virginian Railway was electrified west of Roanoke, VA and substations were required to maintain voltage. According to Kurt Reisweber's book "Virginian Rails - 1953-1993", a transmission line came off the substation and followed the Bluestone Branch back to Bluestone Junction where it connected to N&W catenary. The Bluestone Branch was under wire between Bluestone Junction and Clift Yard.