The "Virginia Creeper": Remembering the Virginia-Carolina Railway

The "Virginia Creeper": Remembering the Virginia-Carolina RailwayTHE VIRGINIA CREEPER: REMEMBERING THE VIRGINIACAROLINA RAILWAY is a history of the Virginia Creeper train, whose route, in its heyday, ran from Abingdon, Virginia, to Elkland (present day Todd), North Carolina, a distance of 76. 5 miles ( its route was officially known as the Abingdon Branch of the Norfolk & Western Railway). However, in 1933, the 20. 5 mile section that stretched from Elkland to West Jefferson, North Carolina, was abandoned. One of

THE ÒVIRGINIA CREEPERÓ: REMEMBERING THE VIRGINIAÐCAROLINA RAILWAY is a history of the ÒVirginia CreeperÓ train, whose route, in its heyday, ran from Abingdon, Virginia, to Elkland (present-day Todd), North Carolina, a distance of 76.5 miles ( its route was officially known as the Abingdon Branch of the Norfolk & Western Railway). However, in 1933, the 20.5-mile section that stretched from Elkland to West Jefferson, North Carolina, was abandoned. One of the last steam trains in America, the ÒVirginia CreeperÓ wasnÕt ÒdieselizedÓ until 1957. Passenger and mail services were discontinued in 1962. The remainder of the route, from Abingdon to West Jefferson, was abandoned in 1977. Now, the Virginia section of the former VirginiaÐCarolina RailwayÕs roadbed is the Virginia Creeper Trail, a well-used (and very scenic) hiking/biking/horseback-riding trail.