West Virginia Central

Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad

The West Virginia Central Railroad was inaugurated on May 16th, 1998, during the annual Cass Scenic Railroad railfan weekend. This marked the end of several years of legal battles to save over 140 miles of abandoned CSX track stretching south through north central West Virginia, which CSX had been trying to abandon since the early 1990's when its coal traffic had dried up. Finally in 1997 the ICC allowed CSX to abandon its track below Elkins with the condition that the line's rail would be left down allowing the West Virginia State Rail Authority (WVSRA) to buy the abandoned portion between Elkins and Bergoo along with the still in service section between Elkins and Tygart Junction for six millions dollars. However, instead of operating the new West Virginia Central line itself, the WVSRA sought an outside company to manange and operate the railroad. After receiving several bids, the WVSRA decided to award the job to the Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad, a shortline railroad company owned by John and Kathy Smith. Fortunately, the D&GV is not the average railroad, in the sense they know how to get things done - and get them done right.

Northern West Virginia's Railroads

The West Virginia Central Railroad operates a series of former Western Maryland subdivisions in the north central region of its namesake mountain state. With shops and yard in Belington, the line runs from Tygart Junction in the north through Elkins and Bowden down to Laurel Bank and Bergoo at the south end of the line. In addition to commercial freight service for a few online shippers, the railroad operates a series of excursion trains -- including the New Tygart Flyer -- using a fleet of first-generation EMD cowl and hood units. Rarest in the stable is an ex-Western Maryland BL2 branchline unit. The rail system is owned by the State of West Virginia, and interchange is with CSX at Tygart Junction.

See also our Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad tourist collection

Motive Power

Baltimore & Ohio #6641

Belington WV / Jul 2011 / RWH

Baltimore & Ohio #6641

builder:Electro Motive Division
model:GP9
type:B-B road switcher
built:May 1954, EMD #19485
series:2610 produced 1949-54
engine:EMD 567B (16 cyls, 1500 hp)
notes:
ex Texas & New Orleans #283
to Southern Pacific #5893, 3422, 3010
lettered Baltimore & Ohio, owned DGVR

Belington WV / Jul 2011 / RWH

Western Maryland #67

Belington WV / Jul 2011 / RWH

Western Maryland #67

builder:Electro Motive Division
model:FP7A
type:B-B passenger unit
built:Feb 1952, EMD #14804
series:301 produced 1949-53
engine:EMD 567B (16 cyls, 1500 hp)
notes:
blt Clinchfield #200
to Seaboard #118, later CSX #118
lettered Western Maryland, owned WVC

Belington WV / Jul 2011 / RWH

Western Maryland #82

Belington WV / Jul 2011 / RWH

Western Maryland #82

builder:Electro Motive Division
model:BL2
type:B-B branchline unit
built:Oct 1948, EMD #5922
series:58 produced 1948-49
engine:EMD 567B (16 cyls, 1500 hp)
notes:
blt Western Maryland #82

Western Marland #243

Belington WV / Jul 2011 / RWH

Western Marland #243

builder:Electro Motive Division
model:FP7A
type:B-B passenger unit
built:Sep 1952, EMD #A372
series:301 produced 1949-53
engine:EMD 567B (16 cyls, 1500 hp)
notes:
blt Canadian Pacific #4071
lettered Western Maryland, owned WVC

Belington WV / Jul 2011 / RWH

Western Maryland #415

Belington WV / Jul 2011 / RWH

Western Maryland #415

builder:Electro Motive Division
model:F7B
type:B-B cabless booster
built:Jun 1950, EMD #11957
series:1420 produced 1949-53
engine:EMD 567B (16 cyl, 1500 hp)
notes:
blt Nashville, Chattanooga & St Louis #918
later CSX #117
letter Western Maryland, owned WVC