In early 2003, a Norfolk Southern coal train derailed near Ellet Valley, east of Christiansburg. Around twenty-five rail cars were involved, and an untold amount of coal was spilled. The force of the wreck actually tore several of the cars into smaller pieces. Norfolk Southern had to lay down new ballast and track as a result of the derailment.

Today, it is almost impossible to tell that a train wreck ever took place. There is the occasional spring of brake shoe sticking out of the ground, but all of the coal car have been long hauled away. Norfolk Southern did an impressive job of grading the site and cleaning up all of the spilled coal.

BACK