The Parkersburg Branch

Parkersburg to Clarksburg, WV

Home | WV | B&O , CSX

This line was formerly part of the B&O main line from Washington to St. Louis. This section and most of the line from Clarksburg to Cincinnati was abandoned in 1985, with rails being removed on this section in 1989.

Towns on this line from Parkersburg east are Nicholette, Davisville, Kanawha, Walker, Eaton, Petroleum (Volcano Jct), Silver Run, Cairo, Cornwallis, Ellenboro, Lamberton, Pennsboro, Toll Gate, Greenwood, Duckworth, Central, West Union, Smithburg, Castlebrook Siding, Morganville, Long Run, Industrial School, Salem, Bristol, Maken, Wolf Summit, Reynoldsville, Wilsonburg and into Clarksburg at Short Line Jct.

This shows the two still complete CPLs at an area known as Wilso... — This shows the two still complete CPLs at an area known as Wilsonburg, just west of Clarksburg. This portion of the line was the most recently used as there was a coal mine that CSX still served at Wolf Summit (it diverged from the main line to the north). After the coal mine shut down in the 1990s, CSX no longer needed the short section of main line and removed it in 1999. The right-of-way in this scene looks basically as it did when the rails were first taken up. While still under CSX ownership, this final remnant will sadly be transferred over to the state of West Virginia. Photo by Adam Burns.

This picture shows Walker, WV, on the B&O mainline in the 1930s,... — This picture shows Walker, WV, on the B&O mainline in the 1930s, and was taken by an employee of that railroad. Photo contributed by Dave Shingleton.

This photo is looking east along the last remaining portion of t... — This photo is looking east along the last remaining portion of the Branch still intact (extends a few miles east of Parkersburg), which CSX uses to store center-flow hoppers. Although this portion is not technically "abandoned" ROW, one can say in all actuality that it is abandoned given it's once grand stature. Photo by Adam Burns.

The remnants of a CPL, looking east, about a mile east of the en... — The remnants of a CPL, looking east, about a mile east of the end stub at Parkersburg. Photo by Adam Burns.

This photo is at a location known as Davisville, about ten miles... — This photo is at a location known as Davisville, about ten miles or so east of Parkersburg. It depicts the remnants of two CPLs (the eastbound CPL may not be visible but is to the left in the brush) with their numberboards. Photo by Adam Burns.

This photo depicts the Seaboard-style CPL (after CSX modificatio... — This photo depicts the Seaboard-style CPL (after CSX modifications, was a B&O style) at the once junction of the Short Line Railroad (which you see heading off to the right) and mainline in Clarksburg. Heading off to the left and around the bend is where the mainline's abandonment begins. After the main was abandoned, coal movements and other freight heading to the Ohio River uses, ironically, this line which basically was used as a relief valve I believe for the mainline. Photo by Adam Burns.

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