Mainline Tour: Thurmond and Prince, W.VA

By giles on Aug 15, 2020 with Comments 0

By Giles Kennedy

Chief Editor/Founder The Ohio Railroader Website

Chief Admin Ohio Valley Rails

(Portions originally published on Columbus Wired; Partner Site)

My family recently explored the New River Gorge.

If you wish more options outside of railfanning; please visit the Columbus Wired article.

http://columbuswired.net/appalachian-getaway-new-river-gorge

We started our exploration in a former coal town with static display restored buildings.

Thurmond, like many other West Virginia towns; boomed quick and too soon. A long time Chesapeake and Ohio railroad town; it soared for nearly 20 plus years.

Then the great depression hit.

The remains and nearby trails are yours to explore. The former C&O Depot still operates as a stop for Amtrak’s Cardinal. It also duos as the area’s visitor center.

https://www.nps.gov/neri/learn/historyculture/thurmond.htm

Later in the day; I drove down to Prince, W.VA.

It is also a working Amtrak station and a rare example of “what might have been” if C&O passenger service took off.

It was a model railroad station for what was to be more C&O passenger stations. It never went off the ground. But the styling and mosaics remain. If days during the stops for the Cardinal; crews from CSX man the station and allow passengers to board/depart.

More information available on related websites.