KINGWOOD – The 10- mile West Virginia Northern Rail Trail has a long history, according to Sara Saurino, volunteer commissioner for Preston County Parks and Recreation Commission (PCPaRC).
The trail begins at the Craig Civic Center in Kingwood and goes to Tunnelton,
Saurino said in earlier days the Class III short line hauled large amounts of coal out of Preston County. “During its peak it hauled 21,000 coal cars a year,” she said.
It later served as a tourist train. The railroad was completely abandoned in 1999. In 2002 scrappers removed the remaining rails.
In 2002, Connie Ervin said, PCPaRC was formed. She said the organization’s vision was for three trails in the county. One was the West Virginia Northern Rail Trail. She said the Tunnelton end currently has a half a mile that is walkable but still needs graveled.
Saurino said although the Kingwood end of the trail is rough, it can still be walked. “It’s approximately 10 miles long and it is unique in several ways,” she said. “There are two switchbacks between Kingwood and Birds Creek. It’s unusual to find one switch back on a railroad, and this one had two.”
Saurino said another unique feature is the elevation change.
“From Kingwood the trail gradually becomes steeper. At Birds Creek, moving south on the south side on the top of the rise, you come out on a ridge with an almost 360 degree view.” The trail lowers in elevation before it gets to Tunnelton.
She said there is a lot to be seen along the trail. Some areas runs along streams.
“There are clearings with lots of views as you get closer to Tunnelton,” she said. “The Marion Pump House is along the trail and the Marion Curve, a sharp curve in the trail that caused problems for trains. Several jumped the track there.”
Saurino said the trail travels through a lot of forest, with the chance to see deer, turkeys, squirrels and other wildlife. She said there is also an abundance of wild flowers and plants to enjoy.
“When you reach Tunnelton, there is the Veterans Memorial and the train depot. It’s the original depot, and there’s a lot a lot of original memorabilia to see,” Saurino said. “There is convenience stores close by if you need supplies.”
Preston County Commissioner Dave Price said he was pleased the commission was able to give PCPaRC $20,000 to help complete one-eighth of a mile in Kingwood.
“The money we gave them will bring over $600,000 in,” he said. “This was a worthwhile investment.”
Price said very little local money is given to PCPaRC. He said its money comes mainly from grants and donations. “None of the money comes from state road funds,” he said.
Price said both the Cheat corridor and the northwestern trails are big attractions to bring people Preston County. He said Preston County has the outdoors attractions people enjoy.
“People go to Mon County for theater events and ball games. When they are looking to the outdoors, they come to Preston County. We have fishing, hunting, the river and beautiful scenery. Not everyone has that, and people come to see it.”
To donate to PCPaRC or for information about the trails call 304-602-3680 or go to Facebook or www.pcparc.org
