Bluefield, WV - 1953 - Grubb Photo Service

Mel Grubb was well-known for his aerial photographs, many of which graced the front pages of the Bluefield Daily Telegraph. Newsroom lore tells of "Mel" opening the door of his plane while in air, and hanging out the side with his camera in order to get the best shot. Mel's comapny "Grubb Photo" maintained thousands of Bluefield area photographs

According to Norflolk & Western Railway: Pocahontas Coal Carrier by Richard E. Prince (1980):

"Bluefield Roundhouse was first constructed as a 16-stall brick structure in 1888, complete with a 60-ft. turntable.  With expansion of the coal fields, this roundhouse was increased to a full circle of 41 stalls by 1893.  New 65-ft. turntable was installed in 1906.  In 1910 entire roundhouse was rebuilt with length of stalls extended 30 feet outward and 85-ft. turntable installed to handle the earlier Mallet locomotives.  In 1918 that turntable was replaced by one 115 ft. long.  Finally, in 1930 eight stalls were further extended 30 feet in order to handle the longest N&W Ry locomotives.  The steam locomotive erecting shop was also a part of the Bluefield roundhouse complex and in 1932 the truck and wheel work of the electric freight locomotives was moved to Bluefield from the main electric repair shop at Bluefield Junction."

Photographs furnished By :Buddy French

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