The number of rail trails in West Virginia increase to seventeen with the addition of five new trails in Tucker and Fayette Counties. Twenty-three miles of newly listed trails increased West Virginia rail trails to 223 miles, putting the state in the top ten in open trail miles.

The five trails are managed by three different agencies. One mile long Dunlop Creek trail is located in the New River National Gorge. The twelve mile long Blackwater Canyon and the four mile long Limerock Trails are managed by the Monongahela National Forest. The Engine Run and Railroad Grade Trails in Tucker County are the responsibility of the WV State Parks system. Be sure to include these new trails in your next outing. All of these trails will be included in the soon-to-be published WV Rail Trail Guide, due out in April.

Check out the trail rating table inside this issue of Trail Tracks. The table uses our new trail rating system approved this year by the WVRTC board.

While counting one's eggs before they hatch can sometimes lead to egg on one's face, WVRTC is confident that 1995's mileage increase will exceed this year's 23 miles by a large margin. Stay tuned!

Four decked, one to go. That's the result of this summer's volunteer work coordinated by the WVRTC in the New River Gorge National River System. Cooperation was the secret to decking four trestles on the Thurmond-Minden rail trail this summer. The National Park Service (NPS), the Contractors Association of West Virginia (CAWV), and Orders Construction Co. of St. Albans all contributed to the successful decking of four bridges on the Thurmond-Minden Trail near Oak Hill. The National Park Service provided the lumber and hardware to install their design. Construction supervision and rental equipment was provided by Orders Construction Co. WVRTC helped find the volunteers to do the work. CAWV provided lunch. The First work day in April was also part of the state-wide Trash Mash Plus program that unites construction companies with community improvement projects. Originally started to clean up illegal dumps in WV, the CAWV expanded the program to include rail trail projects around the state. (Another group of the CAWV contractors, led by Large Brothers Co. helped out with the drainage problems on the North Bend Rail Trail near Salem.)

Not satisfied to do only one trestle a year, the same groups got together in September to deck another trestle. Although this trestle was over 150 feet long, a single day of hard work (and a lot of pre-work by the NPS maintenance crew) finished up the second bridge. Tom DeCeasar, NPS maintenance supervisor, was so pleased with the results that he put his crews to finishing up two more trestles at the end of the 1994 season.

One more trestle awaits decking next spring. The remaining trestle, closest of the five to Thurmond, is over 400 feet in length. Decking this monster will take more than a single day.

Over one hundred sixty abandoned rail corridors statewide were identified for the WV Abandoned Rail Corridor Assessment. The project consultant team (WVRTC, the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, Land Ethics, and West Virginia University), under a contract with the state, identified abandoned railroad rights-of-way for potential conversion to public uses. The final report and an executive summary were published last October.

Phase I of the study focused on developing a comprehensive inventory of all rail corridor abandonments recorded between 1962 and 1993. Phase I assessed the inventoried corridors, completed an in-depth analysis of their merits for development as recreation corridors or other public uses, and developed a prioritized list of 29 corridors which were selected for in-depth analysis. Original ownership information for the selected corridors, and legal analysis of WV Railroad Law as it relates to abandoned corridors is included in the report. Phase III assessed public support for converting the selected 29 corridors to public uses. Summaries of public comments, received from public meetings conducted throughout the state, are provided in the final report.

As a result of Governor Caperton's commitment to the rail trail program, over $3,800,000 have been earmarked for rail trail projects and the restoration of historic rail facilities from the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) Enhancement Program. According to recently appointed DOT Enhancement Coordinator, Richard Hartman, 37% of all of DOT's ISTEA Enhancement funding from FY 93 - FY 95 has been committed to rail trail projects.

The ISTEA Enhancement Program funds ten specific non highway activities. One of the ten is the "preservation of abandoned rail corridors including the use thereof for pedestrian or bicycle trails..." Federal funds are apportioned to states according to their size and population and must be matched at a ratio of 80% federal to 20% local. West Virginia's share of the Enhancement funds averages $3 million a year.

A hazy half-moon faded in and out of the drifting fog just above my head. In a short three hours the first work day on the new Blackwater Canyon Trail (Forest Service TR 115) would begin... I laid my head down to get some sleep. A gliding night bird disappeared into the fog. Big enough to be an owl, I thought. He was just checking me out. The males get crazy at this time of year.

As a crosstie walker, I had been down the canyon railroad several times in my earlier life. My father, a fireman for the Western Maryland Railroad, was a regular. Mom would wave to him off her front porch as his chugging 2-8-0 in the string of three - five engines struggling to the top of the mountain.

Not long after dawn, the Monongahela National Forest staff and the Blackwater Bike dudes (Matt Marcus, Gary Berti, Sue Heywood, and Dave Smoot) arrived to wake me. This diverse group was pulled together this November day in Tucker county by a troublesome culvert that threatened the very existence of a section of the original WM railroad grade. The culvert had become clogged by some five feet of organic material causing the railroad fill to act like a dam for a 28 foot deep pond during heavy rains.

Water had to be given its rightful passage under the filled material or next spring's runoff would be ruthless on the original grade. When we arrived at the site just NE of Hendricks, the water damage was already apparent: scoured banks, undercut tree roots, and shifted stones.

The outlet side was not clogged and could be examined internally. Mary (Forest Service Facilities Engineer Mary Smakula) and I quickly realized the cultural significance of the workmanship involved in constructing this culvert of double walled hand cut stones (stones as large as a desk) with large cap stones which had the chiseler's claw marks that were used to hold the stones steady in the tongs when lowered into place.

About 40 feet inside the culvert Carol (Carol Rucker, FS Cheat District) and I examined the possible source of the clog. Mysteriously, one set of stones from the inner wall was forced into the main channel. Creek cobble and the remains of a 55 gallon oil drum were packed behind the cut stones. It looked like the culvert was filled clear to the inlet. What power could have moved these huge stones? While photographing the site, I pondered, "Was this cause or effect??"

Digging on the inlet debris commenced without me. Even though Dave, the site safety director, warned me, I found out the hard way that the roots of the large poplar tree had been scoured to the point of leaving holes large enough to swallow up a leg to a man's hip.

Sue and Joe (Joe Robles, FS Recreation Planner) started the first of what was to become a series of holding dams built to contain the small stream so the water would not flood the digs. Mud was moving one bucket at a time. Everyone joined in. After one more round of photographs, I jumped in the hole too. Matt, Joe, and I rotated turns in the hole and bucket brigade.

The holding dams were breached and water rushed into our hole. It percolated into the drain and disappeared. Racing over to the outlet, everyone searched for the water but it couldn't be found.

Many years ago - now it seems like another life - I walked crossties with my friends on a regular basis. The railroad was to us a highway to our favorite blackberry patch, a shortcut to the next town or simply a place to mosey along kicking stones off the rails. We constantly watched over our shoulder for the rightful owners of the line, however

Today, my friends, you too may still walk a lot of crossties but for a different reason and oftentimes in a different figurative way. Today, we walk them for faces of people we'll never meet. You see, we are searching out abandoned rail corridors which one day will be trails for our children and their children. We walk crossties on trestles yet to be decked. We walk crossties every day this transformation becomes closer to reality. We, the people, are the rightful heirs to the lines. As heirs, we may be removing the crossties but the corridor is intact if they ever need to be put back. To me, that's real progress...now and for the future.

Yes, we still watch over our shoulder but overall, the 1994-95 WVRTC is walking crossties with confidence!! Achievements last year exceeded my expectations...and continue to do so. With the completion of the Statewide Abandoned Rail Corridor Inventory and Assessment, we are ready to methodically cross WV's ties between the smoke stack past and the recreational future by building a statewide rail trail network. With the support of local organizations, we can assist our members in developing creative implementation of customized trails synergized around your community or linking with other communities and/or points of interest.

The ISTEA Enhancement Program continues to be a daunting bureaucratic labyrinth of paperwork. Rail trail proposals from numerous citizens and public agencies were ushered through the ISTEA maze. For any progress, we actually tip toe across the crossties of state government. There is a bit of light at the end of the tunnel, however. The Division of Highways has assigned a very competent person to assist full time with enhancement projects.

Ongoing trail improvement through WVRTC sponsored workdays has been a big success. The WV Contractor's Association and the WVRTC have coupled together on 2 trail workdays in our system: The North Bend Trail benefited from improved drainage and trail surfacing while the Thurmond-Minden Trail received decking and handrails on it's trestles. An important workday with the Cheat Ranger District and the Monongahela National Forest dug out and documented a "culturally significant culvert" on the newly added Blackwater Canyon Trail (TR 115).

Additional noteworthy accomplishments include: 5 new trails covering 23 miles including 3 narrow gauge rail-roads; 2 million dollars earmarked for rail trail acquisition and development; 2 trails indicated on the current WV DOT highway map; response to hundreds of requests for trail information and commercial services along them; a council brochure and trail services guide; electronic announcements on the Internet as well as the beginnings of photographic documentation of projects for development.

None of these accomplishments would be possible without the support of YOU, our members. Please remember, it's your dues and contributions that keep our phones alive, deliver our mail and elevate our spirits!! I envision a wonderful 2nd half of my term year and wish you many new trail treats to come.......

Between November 1, 1994 and January, 1995, WVRTC gained over 100 new members! In November of 1994, WVRTC conducted a direct mail membership campaign which was made possible by a grant from REI (Recreational Equipment Inc.). Thank you to all the individuals, businesses, organizations and public agencies that joined as new members or renewed their commitment to WVRTC in 1995.

Planning for an across West Virginia rail trail bicycle tour is now underway. The week-long tour will be WVRTC's first entry into tour events. The tour will fill a missing niche in rail trail and cycling events in West Virginia. The Council hopes the tour will serve to promote rail trails in West Virginia, and in the long run, help to improve the Council's finances.

Because planning isn't complete, we welcome your comments and suggestions as how to improve this first tour. The following description plans are based on work we have done to set up the tour to date. We are telling all we know right now about those plans, and will be glad to adapt the tour as best we can to fit into participant's needs.

Preliminary plans call for a six day bicycle ride over rail trails between Parkersburg and Lewisburg. The route will not be entirely on rail trails, and will not be flat. The route will follow the North Bend, West Fork, and Greenbrier River rail trails, for a total distance of about 260 miles.

A van will be used to transport luggage between motels. Plans are to provide breakfast and lunch as part of the tour cost, and let everyone make their own arrangements for dinner. Transportation back to Parkersburg from Lewisburg will be provided.

All of the details will be set by the end of February. The tour size will be limited. Costs will be set to break even, and are anticipated to be $350 per person for the week. The planning goal is to finalize the route, accommodations, and costs by the end of February. One thing is certain, to reserve your slot on the tour, a deposit of $50.00 will be required to hold your motel rooms.

Want to have some fun and do your part to help build rail trails? WVRTC coordinates work days throughout the state to assist with the development and maintenance of rail trails. Tasks include clearing brush, picking up trash, installing signs and barricades, and repairing bridges and trestles.

WVRTC now has a rest area on the information superhighway. Check us out at either the Reading Room at gopher.cycling.org or on the World Wide Web at http://cycling.org/ universal resource location. Both of these locations are courtesy of the Global Cycling Network, based at Stanford University.

The Trail Tracks crew promise that from now on, newsletters will be issued more often. Look for issue 4 in time to announce the volunteer work schedule for the summer.

A summer bicycle tour of WV rail trails is planned by the Council. The six day tour will cover four trails between Parkersburg and Lewisburg. See article in this issue of Trail Tracks for more details!

This newsletter made possible by a grant from the American Greenways DuPont Award Program, a project of the Conservation Fund through its American Greenways Program.

Unlike other WV rail trails, the Wheeling Trails are exclusively in an urban setting. The trails' several sections are in various stages of construction. In aggregate, there are around 11 miles of paved surface with work continuing. Several are lighted for night time use. When completed the trails will serve as an important element in the interpretation of the transportation themes in Wheeling's National Heritage Area. Ultimately, the city looks forward to the most widely used rail trails in the country.

The 1984 N-S Conrail abandonment left 8.5 miles of available corridor within the city limits with another 14.2 miles to connect the adjoining cities of Benwood & Wellsburg. The 34 mile E-W CSX abandonment extends from the Ohio River eastward to Washington, PA. The city of Wheeling plans to develop all of these corridors eventually.

The completed N-S sections open to the public include the South Wheeling Trail from 48th Street to 35th Street, the Center Wheeling Trail from 35th Street to Wheeling Creek and the Downtown Trail from Wheeling Creek to 1st Street. The E-W segment known as the East Wheeling Trail extends from 17th Street to Wheeling Creek. The tunnel situated at the E end of the trailhead has not been improved at the time of this writing. These trails have been an overwhelming success with bikers, joggers and hikers of all ages.

1.

The trail must be passable.

2.

Must currently be part of a public right-of-way or open to the public.

3.

Must be documented as once being a railroad. (i.e. records from the ICC, Coal Companies, US Forest Service, etc.)

4.

Narrow gauge logging or mining railroads are included.

5.

Must have approval of owner or operator of trail property to list the trail.

Scenery:

(1)

Remote settings with scenic or natural appeal and/or points of particular interest such as scenic views, rushing rivers or streams.

(2)

Basically wooded or farmland settings with occasional communities.

(3)

More influenced by developed communities, industrial sites, proximity to highways, strip mines, etc.

Difficulty:

(I)

Suitable for leisurely strolls of biking. Ordinary street shoes are adequate for walking. Wide bicycle tires are recommended.

(II)

May involve moderate amounts of scrambling over rocks, steeper grades, narrow and/or more difficult pathways, etc. Tennis shoes with good tread would be appropriate. Wide bike tires with a rough tread should be used.

(III)

A reasonable amount of biking experience is needed. Not recommended for smaller children or those in poor physical condition. Trails with steepest grades. Mountain bikes and hiking boots are a must.

(IV)

Not recommended for bicycles. Rock slides or fallen trees prohibit all but foot travel.

Trail Conditions:

(A)

Well marked and maintained. No difficulty in finding trail. All trestles and tunnels are passable. Good trail surface.

(B)

Average. Trail surface may include original ballast, trestles may have narrow decking but without handrails, tunnels have water and rocks.

(C)

Poorly marked and maintained. One must pay attention to stay on the trail, washouts, fallen logs and rock slides may persist, challenging trail conditions exist, tunnels may be dangerous.

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             NAME                  MILES    SCENERY  DIFFICULTY   CONDITIONS
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
       Greenbrier River Trail        78        1          I            A
       Glade Creek                    5        1          I            A
       Harrison County                7        2          I            A
       Marion County                  2        2          I            B
       North Bend                    61        2          I           A/B
       Southside Junction             6        2         II            B
       Elk River                      1        2          I            A
       Thurmond-Minden                3        2         II            B
       West Fork                     22        2          I            B
       Wheeling                       9        3          I            A
       Kaymoore                       1        2         II            A
       Narrow Gauge                   4        1         II            C
       Limerock                       4        1        III            C
       Engine Run                     2        1         II            B
       Railroad Grade                 4        1         II            B
       Blackwater Canyon             12        1         II            B
       Dunloup Creek                  1        2         II            B
       ========================    =====
             TOTAL                  223

• Chair - Frank Proud (Charleston)
• Vice Chair Finance - Peter Lydens (Charleston)
• Treasurer - Crystal Bartlett (Parkersburg)
• Secretary - Peggy Ping (Morgantown)
• Director - Larry George (Charleston)

• Randy Allio - (Elk River Rails-to-Trails Foundation)
• Bruce Donaldson - (Committee for the Improvement of Richwood)
• Gil Willis - (Greenbrier River Trail Association)
• Sue Miller - (North Harrison County Rails-to-Trails)

© 1998 WVRTC