Olin Mathieson Chemical Corporation

omcc_state egyptian he Olin Mathieson Chemical Corporation was a large chemical company based in Missouri that operated plants in a number of locations, including one is Saltville, Va. In the 1950s, the company switched the Saltville plant with a handsome ex-Norfolk & Western "Consolidation" steamer. Saltville was an event location for the 1960 National Railway Historical Society convention based in Bristol Tn/Va.

#11

Olin Mathieson Chemical Corporation #11

Saltville, Va / Sep 1960 / JCH

Olin Mathieson Chemical Corporation #11

builder:Roanoke Machine Works

type:2-8-0 "Consolidation"

class:G

built:Jun 1892, Roanoke #137

fuel:soft coal / water

notes:

20x24" cylinders, 50" drivers, 180 psi

blt Norfolk & Western #305
to Chesapeake & Western
to Mathieson Alkali Works #11
to Olin Mathieson Chemical Corp #11
to display in Saltville Va

oldest surviving N&W steam locomotive

Saltville, Va / Sep 1960 / JCH

Saltville, Va / Sep 1957 / collection

I attended the 1960 National Railway Historical Society convention in Bristol, Tenneesee. One of the day trips was up to Saltville, Virginia, where the Olin Mathieson Chemical Corp pulled out their ex N&W steamer #11. They pulled the steamer along in a short run-by with several chemical cars and their caboose. Townspeople were everywhere, and the local high school marching band played "I've Been Working on the Railroad." It was a grand day in Saltville!

See also our complete 1960 NRHS Bristol Convention scrapbook in Preservation

Caboose

Olin Mathieson Chemical Corp #1

wooden caboose / Saltville, Va / Sep 1960 / JCH

Saltville, Va / Sep 1960 / JCH

Display

Salt Trail

Established in 2008, the Salt Trail is a rails-to-trails program that converted the former Saltville branch of the Norfolk & Western into a walking and biking pathway -- connecting the towns of Saltville and Glade Spring for a distance of nearly 4 miles. A covered train display, featuring two Olin Mathieson locomotives and a former N&W caboose, anchors the trail in downtown Saltville.

Walk around and observe steam locomotive No. 11, the oldest surviving N & W steam engine in existence. Both steam locomotives were in service from their arrival in the late 1890s or the early 1900s until their replacement by diesel powered units in the early 1960s. Other classic railroad equipment, including a caboose and local company paraphernalia are located at this site.

Town of Saltville