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{{Short description|Rail trail in Virginia, United States}}
⚫ The '''Virginia Creeper Trail''' is a {{convert|35|mi|adj=on}} multi-purpose ] in ] ]. It runs from ] to the ] state line near ].
{{more citations needed|date=February 2022}}
⚫ ]
⚫ The '''Virginia Creeper Trail''' is a {{convert|35|mi|adj=on}} multi-purpose ]. Located in ] ], the trail runs from ] to ], near ] and the ] state line.


The trail accommodates hikers, cyclists and equestrians on its descent from Abingdon to ], near the ] state line – passing through ], crossing a number of restored trestles and the ].
⚫ ==History==


Following Laurel Creek and traversing rolling farm countryside as well as a number of privately owned sections, the route necessitates cyclists open and close private gates. The trail features numerous intermediate access points, and between Abingdon and Watauga, five emergency call boxes can access emergency services.{{citation needed|date=May 2012}}
⚫ The trail runs along a ] dating to the 1880's — first belonging to the ]. After investing sizeable capital without opening, the ] company went broke. In the early 1890's the company's assets were bought by the ]. It too had trouble and its assets were purchased by the ].


⚫ Travelling from Abingdon, the trail goes through Watauga, Alvarado, Damascus, Straight Branch, Taylors Valley, Creek Junction, Green Cove and Whitetop. Elevation drops approximately {{convert|300|ft|m|-1}} from Abingdon to the South ] (near Damascus) and then climbs nearly {{convert|2000|ft|m|-1}} to Whitetop. From Damascus, numerous private services are available to shuttle cyclist to Whitetop for the {{convert|17|mi|km|adj=on}} return descent.
In February 1900, the Virginia-Carolina Railroad Company began conducting business in ]. By 1912, the railroad was extended to Whitetop and by the end of the decade to Elkland, ] (now named ]).


The trail is for recreational use, but is also used to host numerous local events and races such as the Run Damascus events, Down the Mountain Marathon, Iron Mountain Trail Races, Dam Yeti 50, Yeti 100, and Bridges & Trestles.
⚫ In 1956 the last steam engine was retired from the line and replaced with diesel powered engines. By 1974, the Norfolk and Western Railroad Company petitioned the Interstate Commerce Commission to abandon the line. In 1977 hard rains flooded and damaged most of the track and it was left unrepaired.


⚫ ==History==
⚫ In 1977 removal of the track began and the land in Virginia was secured by the ] for a recreation trail. The land in North Carolina was returned to the land owners.


⚫ The trail runs on a ] dating to the 1880s — first belonging to the ]. After investing sizable capital without actually opening, that company went out of business. In the early 1890s, the company's assets were purchased by the Virginia–Carolina and Southern Railway. It too had financial trouble and its assets were purchased by the ].
Current efforts to secure the easements in North Carolina to continue the Virginia Creeper Trail to ] are stalled.


In February 1900, the Virginia–Carolina Railway began operating in ]. By 1912, the railroad extended to Whitetop and by the end of the decade to Elkland, ] (now ]). In 1919, the ] railroad, which had partially funded the building of the line, took control of it and dubbed it its Abingdon Branch. In 1933, service to Todd ended when the terminus moved to ].
⚫ ]


⚫ In 1957, the last steam engine retired, replaced by diesel-powered engines. By 1974, the Norfolk and Western Railroad Company petitioned the Interstate Commerce Commission to abandon the line. Finally, circumstances in 1977 induced the ICC to approve abandonment, as train service was forced to cease when hard rains flooded and damaged most of the line, which was left unrepaired.
== Riding the Virginia Creeper Trail ==


⚫ Removal of the track began very soon after and the land in Virginia was secured by the ] for a recreation trail. The land in North Carolina was returned to the land owners. In Virginia, the right-of-way is owned by the Towns of Abingdon and Damascus, and by the National Park Service and the National Forest Service.
⚫ The trail extends from Abingdon, through Alvarado, Damascus, Straight Branch, Taylors Valley, Creek Junction, Green Cove and Whitetop. The elevation of the trail drops approximately 300 feet from Alvarado to the South Holston River and then climbs nearly 2000 feet to Whitetop.


This colorful and rustic branch line was a favorite of famed railroad photographer ]. In contrast to his large number of night shots, using black-and-white film and synchronized flashbulb arrays, he photographed the Abingdon Branch during the day, in color. Many of his world-famous images are now housed in the former Norfolk and Western passenger station in Roanoke, Virginia: now the O. Winston Link Museum.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.linkmuseum.org/ |title=Home |website=linkmuseum.org}}</ref>
⚫ A rare ] steam engine is located at the trailhead in Abingdon, and several restored stations survive along the trail itself. Two railroad cabooses are also located along the trail; one is located at the mid-point in Damascus, and the other is located further up the trail at Taylors Valley.

⚫ An original ] ] ] is located directly next to the trailhead at Abingdon, and the trail itself passes several restored stations. Two railroad cabooses are also located along the trail; one at the midpoint in Damascus and another at Taylors Valley.
] ] at the trail head of Virginia Creeper Trail.]]


== See also == == See also ==
* ] *]
* ] *]
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==References==
{{reflist}}


== External links == == External links ==
* *

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{{coord missing|Virginia}}


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Latest revision as of 10:16, 23 September 2024

Rail trail in Virginia, United States
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Find sources: "Virginia Creeper Trail" – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (February 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this message)
Riders stop at one of the high trestles on the Virginia Creeper Trail.

The Virginia Creeper Trail is a 35-mile (56 km) multi-purpose rail trail. Located in southwestern Virginia, the trail runs from Abingdon to Whitetop, Virginia, near Mount Rogers National Recreation Area and the North Carolina state line.

The trail accommodates hikers, cyclists and equestrians on its descent from Abingdon to Damascus, near the North Carolina state line – passing through National Forest, crossing a number of restored trestles and the Appalachian Trail.

Following Laurel Creek and traversing rolling farm countryside as well as a number of privately owned sections, the route necessitates cyclists open and close private gates. The trail features numerous intermediate access points, and between Abingdon and Watauga, five emergency call boxes can access emergency services.

Travelling from Abingdon, the trail goes through Watauga, Alvarado, Damascus, Straight Branch, Taylors Valley, Creek Junction, Green Cove and Whitetop. Elevation drops approximately 300 feet (90 m) from Abingdon to the South Holston River (near Damascus) and then climbs nearly 2,000 feet (610 m) to Whitetop. From Damascus, numerous private services are available to shuttle cyclist to Whitetop for the 17-mile (27 km) return descent.

The trail is for recreational use, but is also used to host numerous local events and races such as the Run Damascus events, Down the Mountain Marathon, Iron Mountain Trail Races, Dam Yeti 50, Yeti 100, and Bridges & Trestles.

History

The trail runs on a rail right-of-way dating to the 1880s — first belonging to the Abingdon Coal and Iron Railroad. After investing sizable capital without actually opening, that company went out of business. In the early 1890s, the company's assets were purchased by the Virginia–Carolina and Southern Railway. It too had financial trouble and its assets were purchased by the Virginia–Carolina Railway.

In February 1900, the Virginia–Carolina Railway began operating in Damascus, Virginia. By 1912, the railroad extended to Whitetop and by the end of the decade to Elkland, North Carolina (now Todd). In 1919, the Norfolk & Western railroad, which had partially funded the building of the line, took control of it and dubbed it its Abingdon Branch. In 1933, service to Todd ended when the terminus moved to West Jefferson.

In 1957, the last steam engine retired, replaced by diesel-powered engines. By 1974, the Norfolk and Western Railroad Company petitioned the Interstate Commerce Commission to abandon the line. Finally, circumstances in 1977 induced the ICC to approve abandonment, as train service was forced to cease when hard rains flooded and damaged most of the line, which was left unrepaired.

Removal of the track began very soon after and the land in Virginia was secured by the US Forest Service for a recreation trail. The land in North Carolina was returned to the land owners. In Virginia, the right-of-way is owned by the Towns of Abingdon and Damascus, and by the National Park Service and the National Forest Service.

This colorful and rustic branch line was a favorite of famed railroad photographer Ogle Winston Link. In contrast to his large number of night shots, using black-and-white film and synchronized flashbulb arrays, he photographed the Abingdon Branch during the day, in color. Many of his world-famous images are now housed in the former Norfolk and Western passenger station in Roanoke, Virginia: now the O. Winston Link Museum.

An original 4-8-0 steam locomotive No. 433 is located directly next to the trailhead at Abingdon, and the trail itself passes several restored stations. Two railroad cabooses are also located along the trail; one at the midpoint in Damascus and another at Taylors Valley.

Steam locomotive No. 433 at the trail head of Virginia Creeper Trail.

See also

References

  1. "Home". linkmuseum.org.

External links


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