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| The Elk River Railroad https://www.rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=45757 |
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| Author: | nedsn3 [ Sun Aug 01, 2021 10:21 pm ] |
| Post subject: | The Elk River Railroad |
Just got a call from a friend in WV-apparently the rail is being, or has been removed from the former ELKR from below Clay north through the BC&G interchange to below Gassaway at Duck, the proposed site of a coal mine. ELKR also owned the ROW from below Clay to a point below Clendenin. It was once planned to rebuild the 30-mile line to connect with the remaining NS ex-B&O line to Hitop and into Charleston. All has been sold to the state for a hiking trail. BC&G has been apparently sold to tourist interests, probably related to the state. I think the equipment still remains at Gassaway. So, sadly, ends another dream. |
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| Author: | bigjim4life [ Sun Aug 01, 2021 11:19 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Elk River Railroad |
Hang on, hold off on the doom and gloom: "The $5.6 million project — under contract by Chesapeake Thermite Welding — is being funding through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The devastating 2016 floods wiped out much of the rail infrastructure along Buffalo Creek. The funding will restore the rail line in case of future need, while the trail itself will follow along the rail line. Parts of the rail are already used for excursion train rides and rail biking — allowing tourists to use feet-powered cars that travel on the rails." https://www.theintermountain.com/news/l ... extension/ |
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| Author: | nedsn3 [ Mon Aug 02, 2021 6:48 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Elk River Railroad |
Yes, the BC&G remains more or less intact; any part washed out in 2016 will be rebuilt. My "doom and gloom" is reference to the ELKR itself, of which I once was a VP and the chief engineer in the '90's. The plan (or hope) at one time had been to reopen the line (removed by CSX in the '80's) from Hartland (south of Clay) to Charleston. This would have furnished a way for coal from both the Pittston mine and the proposed Consol mine at Duck to access the Kanawha River. The BC&G was never really in the equation, with the exception of the short 3 or so miles which provided access to the loadout at Avoca. |
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| Author: | scwillis51 [ Mon Aug 02, 2021 8:48 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Elk River Railroad |
Interesting that the rail was/is being pulled before approval by the STB, anticipating no OFA from any party for the Duck-Hartland portion. |
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| Author: | nedsn3 [ Wed Aug 04, 2021 1:44 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Elk River Railroad |
Steve- I drove by Gassaway two years ago and was dismayed by the junk laying around. I was really disappointed that 4 and 5 were being used as parts locomotives (against Army policy!). It seems like 2 is also out of service. Too bad. Although it may never have succeeded I now wish I'd have pushed the rebuilding south harder. |
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| Author: | GP30 [ Sat Mar 19, 2022 9:27 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Elk River Railroad |
The Elk River Railroad is meeting its end. All storage and repair cars have left the property, rails are being removed from the yard at Gassaway and the 5 locomotives have been coupled together for the final departure to Gilmer Jct possibly this coming week. From what I have been told, there has not been an abandonment filing yet, but it is expected the state of WV will extend their new Elk River trail to Gassaway at some point in the future. It is widely believed, but unconfirmed that all 5 GP’s are expected to be transferred by the A&O to new ownership by the West Virginia Central / DGVR. |
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| Author: | nedsn3 [ Sat Mar 19, 2022 9:33 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: The Elk River Railroad |
Yes, they have been sold I was told by a knowledgeable individual. |
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