ABOVE: The New Tygart Flyer drifts down- grade around tight curves through the moun- tains on the return trip to Elkins. LEFT: The New Tygart Flyer brings passengers to the High Falls of Cheat, deep inside the Monon- gahela National Forest. One of the highest falls in West Virginia, it is accessible only by train or a strenuous hike.
open cars on the New Tygart Flyer, but the top Dutch doors are usually open in the vestibule, and car attendants are quite gracious about letting responsible railfans nab a shot or two out the side as the train negotiates one winding twist and turn after another. Railroad-appropriate country and bluegrass music began playing over the train’s loudspeakers, setting the mood for the journey ahead. Occasionally, our host Red Payne would interrupt the music to provide us with information about the route and the areas through which we were passing. Interestingly, the day of our trip was Mr. Payne’s 93rd birthday. The New Tygart Flyer’s destination is
the High Falls of the Cheat River. The route along the Shavers Fork of the Cheat River is a scenic one, passing through Cheat Mountain Tunnel (which has an S-curve inside it) on its
way through places with storied names like Elk River Junction and Greenbrier Junction. The High Falls of Cheat, deep inside the Monongahela National For- est and one of the highest falls in the state of West Virginia, is accessible on- ly by train or a strenuous hike on the High Falls Trail. It’s also an uphill climb for the train, and the grade is very noticeable once passengers disem- bark for the short walk from trackside to two areas for viewing the falls. Just short of the falls, the engines run around the train at a remote siding and push the rest of the way to the High Falls; this also positions the locomo- tives at the front of the train for the precipitous downhill return trip to Durbin. For much of the run back to Elkins, engines and train were wreathed in brakeshoe smoke, holding back the force of gravity coming down the grade, wheels
For more information about the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley, visit
www.mountainrailwv.com.
squealing and squalling as they worked back and forth around the tight curves. This is mountain railroading at its finest, and it’s amazing to realize that this is also a functioning freight route. While West Virginia’s status in rela-
tion to the Mason-Dixon Line might suggest otherwise, you’ll find nothing but pure Southern hospitality on the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley and the territory through which it runs. In addition to the Durbin Rocket and
the New Tygart Flyer, the D&GV also operates the Cheat Mountain Sala- mander and the Mountain Explorer dinner train. Alas, we didn’t have enough time to take in these other trains, but that’s just another reason for us to make a return visit! Changes could be coming to the
D&GV in the near future as it becomes part of a 90-mile rail adventure circle. See MARKERS for details.
39
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60