A Stroll Through Elkins, West Virginia

The city of Elkins in the U.S. state of West Virginia is in the eastern part of the state.  Although no interstates serve this city, it is a crossroads for U.S. Routes 33, 219 and 250.  (It is also possible that Interstate 66 may make its way here in the future.)  It was once a railroad hub for the West Virginia Central and Pittsburgh Railway.  When they merged with the Western Maryland Railway, luxury passenger train service came to the town.  Sadly, that all died in 1958.  What was once a railroad hub was a hub no more.

Today, the train station remains, and it is the home of the Tygart Flyer, the Cheat Mountain Salamander, and the Mountain Explorer Dinner Train, and it is also a tourist information center.  (Information on the trains is at https://www.mountainrailwv.com/.)  A rail trail follows the rail line north of the city and parallels U.S. 219 to Thomas.  A short walk west of the depot is the foundation of the old roundhouse.  (It is currently fenced off.)  You can see where the turntable once was.  A short walk south of the depot along the rail line is the West Virginia Railroad Museum.  It may not have any rolling stock, but it gives a detailed history of the history of the railroad in West Virginia.  (More information at https://wvrailmuseum.com/.)  As you walk around, you will feel that the trains never left town.

Elkins, West Virginia is a small city with great railroad charm.  Also it is not a railroad town anymore, the people at the Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad and the West Virginia Railroad Museum keep the city’s railroad heritage alive… and kicking.