Exploring ABANDONED N&W Railroads in West Virginia

Norfolk and Western’s Pocahontas and Bluestone Branches were once part of the vital rail network that brough coal out of the mines of Virginia and West Virginia. The coal companies left in the ladder half of the 20th-century and the railroad quickly followed suit, leaving the tracks to slowly rust away. The communities that sit along these rails were once prosperous, but decades of decreasing economic opportunity cause few who live there prosper today. Rural Appalachia is the resource curse on full display. It’s been nearly 40 years since either of these branches have seen regular freight traffic. Over those decades, mother nature has reclaimed the rails for herself. These scenes were recorded in early spring, shortly before the weeds and grass could cover what was once a mighty coal-hauling artery. Note: Despite decades of neglect, the Bluestone Branch (and the branches that stem from it) are not technically abandoned. Always be cautious when observing or exploring unused/abandoned rails and respect private property.