Railfan locations in West Virginia & Virginia

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

We’re two railfans from Norway that are attending the NMRA-convention i Philadelphia this summer. After the convention we’re going south to West Virginia & Virginia to do some railfanning. I’ve been to Cumberland previously and this time we will head west along the Mountain Sub and then south along the A&O (if it’s still called that).
Then we’re going to see if we can catch some action along the CSX and NS mainlines across the southern part of WV. Before heading back north we’ll stop in Roanoke and drive east to Norfolk.

Can anyone tell me about any great locations that we should try to visit in terms of scenery/easy access/train frequency along the lines mentioned above?

  • Best locations west of Charleston to Huntington, WV/Ashland, KY
  • Best locations from Charleston to White Sulphur Springs, WV?
  • Best locations from Bluefield and west to Williamson, WV? And maybe further west?
  • Best locations from Bluefield, WV and east to Roanoke, VA?
  • Any coal branches worth following?
  • Are there any great locations from Buchanan to Natural Bridge, VA along the ex C&O and N&W (?)? Traffic?
  • Best route to see lots of trains from Lynchburg to Norfolk?
2

I don’t know about modern trains, or lots of them, but you could go a little north-northwest from Bluefield, to Cass. Shays and Heislers in the flesh!

3
  • Best locations west of Charleston to Huntington, WV/Ashland, KY

St Albans has ALOT of unit coal trains from the souther WV coal fields headed toward the John Amos Power Plant about 5 miles away…

4

If you’re going through Roanoke, do NOT miss the O. Winston Link Museum, or the railway Museum there.

Old Timer

5

And, if you get a chance, there are nice railroad-theme restaurants (in depots alongside active rail lines) in Bedford and Lynchburg, VA. There’s a nice depot restaurant in Staunton, VA, where there’s also an excellent model railroad shop. CSX coal trains come through Staunton and frequently wait on the siding just east of the Interstate.