Photo taken with permission.
After receiving news that Chesapeake Western would be removing the last 50 TOFC cars belonging to BNSF out of storage, I hopped in the car and raced to this site. I was hoping to catch the lone SD40 sitting in these weeds waiting on the cars to air up. It took over 2 hours for CW to get the air and brakes tested and ready to head to Harrisonburg. Apparently my info was a bit late for as I pulled up the excitement quickly dissipated, there was noting but the tunnel it and the 50 cars left in the weeds. The weeds were taller than the switch stand in the foreground and a closer look will yield you another at the second switch. While this picture does not show the true condition of the track/ties, it is deteriorating but I still have high hopes this line will be restored one day. There are still several customers on this out service part of the line, one has already torn out the tracks but they and the remaining customers remain hopeful as well for track & service restoration. Visit https://www.shenandoahrailcorridor.org/ for more information on the current studies currently in progress here in 2025. SAVE the Rails!
Solely the CW Past and Present.
July 5, 1895 CW moved its first load of freight and although its existence is merely on paper today, its roots run deep. 129 years and still moving freight. The CW operates as a subsidiary of Norfolk Southern.
