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