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Before the turn of the 20th century the state’s coal, timber, oil and natural gas were nearly inaccessible. Railroad construction allowed access to these resources, the materials that drove the nation’s Industrial Age.
The Baltimore & Ohio Railroad (B&O) is the nation’s oldest line, and more than half of it is within West Virginia’s borders. During the Civil War, the B&O was so important that both the Union and the Confederacy fought to keep it from falling into the other side’s hands.
As American factories became mechanized, the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad (C&O) hauled coal to heat the furnaces. The C&O also produced the legend of the “steel drivin’ man” John Henry. Today that legend is memorialized with a monument near Talcott, W.Va.  The C&O Heritage Museum is housed in a newly-refitted depot in Huntington.
Cass Scenic Railroad State Park is home to the types of trains that once hauled lumber. Here, engines like Shay #5, that celebrated its centennial in 2005, take visitors on scenic tours of historic logging towns. The park also offers regular mystery theater and bluegrass music rides, as well as a birding/wildflower ride.
Today’s Specialty Trains
New River Train Excursions offer fall foliage tours in the impressive New River Gorge. The trip ends in scenic Hinton, home of Railroad Days, a celebration of everything railroad.
Romney’s Potomac Eagle train boasts a 90% success rate of spotting our national symbol, the bald eagle, during each of its runs.
The Tygart Flyer, originating in Elkins, offers four-hour and seven-hour scenic railroad journeys.
The Cheat Mountain Salamander is the highest railroad east of the Mississippi River and offers the two tightest track curves in the United States.
The Durbin Rocket travels through the Monongahela National Forest, offering a chance to ride one of only three remaining “Climax” engines.
The Mountain Explorer Dinner Train offers a four-course gourmet meal prepared on route, complimentary wine and a memorable evening.
Commuting by Rail
The Maryland Rail Commuter (MARC) system carries workers and visitors from Harpers Ferry in the Eastern Panhandle to Washington, D.C., and the Capitol Limited makes a brief stop in Harper’s Ferry and Martinsburg.
Amtrak’s Cardinal line serves eight passenger stations throughout West Virginia:
- White Sulphur Springs
- Alderson
- Hinton
- Prince
- Thurmond
- Montgomery
- Charleston
- Huntington
Rail Trails
How do you recycle an unused railroad track? Turn it into a trail that can beused for hiking, biking, walking and running! There are more than 375 miles of rail trails in West Virginia, with another 140 miles in the planning stages. These trails offer a unique exercise opportunity as well as a way to appreciate and commune with nature.
Fall Foliage Tours
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