I found some detailed info about the proposed loop on westvirginiarailplan.com; the site that Mr. Ramsey recommended.
What a cool concept. If it comes to fruition, West Virginia might rival Colorado/New Mexico for the highest concentration of steam railroads.
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3.5.1 Highland Adventure of Mountain and Rail Loop
In February 2012, plans for a 90-mile excursion train loop were unveiled during a meeting of the West Virginia Tourism Commission in Charleston. The proposed Highland Adventure of Mountain and Rail Loop would make use of the existing state-owned WVCR right-of-way, a portion of which the DGVR utilizes. Utilizing track materials from out-of-service trackage between Spruce in Pocahontas County and Bergoo in Webster County, a new rail line would be constructed connecting Durbin in Pocahontas County to Elkins in Randolph County to the north and to Cass in Pocahontas County to the south. The restored rail line would follow an existing WVCR rail right-of-way which follows the West Fork of the Greenbrier River. The existing West Fork Trail would be relocated, sharing the right-of-way with the new rail line. The abandoned rail line between Spruce and Bergoo would be converted to a 30-mile trail to the headwaters of the Elk River.
The additional rail infrastructure would make it possible to travel by excursion train through the Monongahela Forest southeast from Elkins via Durbin to Cass, then west to Spruce on the Cass Scenic Railroad, then north via High Falls back to Elkins. The Mountain and Rail Loop would offer multiple recreation options. The new service would, in many ways, be similar to the local railways of Switzerland or Canada’s wilderness railways, combining recreation and transportation where travelers, hikers, cyclists, and walkers use the train to reach the gateways to recreation. Rail cars would be equipped to carry kayaks, mountain bikes, and backpacking and fishing gear, making it possible for backcountry recreation seekers to be dropped off and picked up at various locations along the loop.
For hikers, cyclists, kayakers, and backpackers the service facilitates “open-jaw” treks. Open-jaw trips are triangle trips where one mode is used between points A and B and between C and A with a different mode or method used to travel between B and C. Facilitating open-jaw trips would eliminate the need for a time-consuming vehicle shuttle and eliminate the risk of leaving one’s vehicle at an isolated trailhead. Eight main stations would be served with a total of eight trains per day.
Sightseers on the loop would avoid the scenery “replays” of out-and-back excursions. Multiple day-trips would be possible with overnight stopovers at campsites, historic cabooses, Cass company houses, or resort hotels. For hikers, cyclists, and backpackers, the rail loop would intersect with the Greenbrier River Trail, Allegheny Highlands Trail, West Fork Trail, and the new trail to Bergoo. Rail enthusiasts would also have the option of riding a working freight train on portions of the route.
The plan is estimated to cost $35 million to build and would take 2 years to complete. The new route, linking six counties, is estimated to draw 150,000 tourists and inject $50 million per year into the local economy the first year it opens.
The plan consists of three phases. Phase I would upgrade the existing rail line from Durbin to MP 90.5 and repair and upgrade the line from MP 90.5 to Cass. Phase II would relocate the West Fork Trail and construct 26 miles of rail line from MP 48.5 to Durbin. Phase III would involve the initiation of operations with DGVR operating two legs of the loop from Elkins connecting to the Cass Scenic Railroad segment at Spruce and Cass.
CSR is also involved in the proposed new rail service. The CSR line between Cass and Spruce is a key link in the loop. This expansion of rail service would allow a partnership between DGVR and CSR, creating marketing synergy, a new product, and a new market. For both tourist railroads, this new market would target those traveling for outdoor recreation and utilizing the loop as a link in their travels. Cass Scenic Railroad could serve this market without changing its core mission, with its rental cottages, restaurant, and grocery serving as a stopover point for travelers. The new rail line may require additional CSR track and facilities, such as new station tracks, additional layover tracks, and train servicing facilities.
Jason Rose
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