Places to see in the Shenandoah Valley of VA

[Anonymous]

My Wife and I will be traveling to Strasburg, and Staunton VA next week. I wanted to go see the Pochahontas Coal mine but it is an additional 4.5 hours away according to Yahoo,maps. So what would be a must see RR wise and hobby shop wise in that area. I already know about the great old station in Staunton. Thanks, Dave

[louisnash]

After traveling to Virginia the last three years, I made notice of an abandoned RR that follows I-81 for some distance. You can still make out some of the bridges along the interstate. Now would be a good time to see them with all the leaves changing. You can make out alot of the roadbed as you travel down the interstate.

I read somewhere that the interstate was also built on a large portion of the railbed. The two bridges that I have saw are right along the Staunton exits (in that general area).

Don't know if you like country music or not, but the Statler Brothers have a museum in Staunton also. I don't know if they still have it open now that they don't perform on the road no longer.

Brian (KY)

[MP57313]

The abandoned RR is a former B&O line south of Staunton. I do have a picture of a stone arch bridge that was in the middle of someone's property.
North of Staunton the line is still in service---there is a bridge along US 11 where you can still read a faded "Chesapeake Western" on the side panels.

The SPV atlas is pretty accurate...the ex-SOU section between Mt Jackson and Edinburg is out of service but the rails and crossing signals are intact. There are some high girder bridges along the ex-SOU route.

Further east, on the ex-NW route, there are some interesting spots to get photos of trains. I personally like Vesuvius.

As for Strasburg, there is a museum there with some RR cars outside. There are a few RR-related items inside the building. Just west of there is Strasburg Junction. Though the rails are sorely in need of maintenance, they did recently upgrade the crossings with lights/flashers. I can't imagine any trains pass through there at more than a crawl.

Several miles east of Strasburg is Front Royal. Front Royal's visitor center is in the former SOU station. There is also a diamond/junction and bridges over the Shenandoah River nearby.

Here is a link you might like:
http://abandonedrailroads.homestead.com/VA.html

Just click on each route link to see the details of the abandoned routes (this is a work in progress)

[tree68]

You won't be that far from Roanoke, and for a non-railroad,but very historical visit, head to Charlottesville and Monticello.

[Anonymous]

The transportation museum in Roanoke is very nice.

[Modelcar]

....Been to Charlottesville and Monticello and enjoyed them both...Anyone know if the restaurant I believe it was called the "Hardware" is stil in existence on Main St....It in fact used to be a hardware if I remember correctly. Monticello is worth a visit too for anyone that is in the area....Have done that 2 or 3 times now....Beautiful country in that area.