Harpers Ferry, WV

[doghouse]

Looking for a trackside guide of the Harpers Farry, WV area.  Any info anyone can give would be helpful. 

   Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Opened in 1840 as a contest to show Barge Industry that railroads can go over big mountians to the frontier in this case Ohio.

Double track is mainline for the B&O Railroad. Also used by Amtrack between DC and Chicago I believe.

Single track is the Shennandoah Branch going to quarrys etc.

Civil War destroyed the B&O over and over again only to be rebuilt.

Still in use today. Brunswick is the big division point to the east of Harpers where very large engines were taken off and turned around to be sent back west while lighter flatland engines put on to continue east.

Appalacian trail also crosses there, from one hill you can see WVa, Va, Md all at once.

The ruins of the C&O canal is also there and some sections are restored. Sometimes you could rent a horse and run the towpath from over the hill and back. You would have to be very careful because such activity is at your own risk and it is very small roads to get to the outfit.

There is a hill of some size west of harpers. Railroads open wide to run for this hill going west.

 

I believe it was Geo. Washington who established Harpers Ferry as a National Arsenal for weaponry making. It was to last through the Civil War until it was totally destroyed. The site of the original Arsenal is under the river now and only the Gaurd Shack which John Brown once captured during the failed uprising against slavery.

 

That is the best I can do off the top of my head. It is a National Park, has outfitters, several towns in the area and Point of Rocks to the east on the B&O.

[doghouse]

 

 Great info, thanks.

[rogruth]

Point-of-Rocks has a very interesting station.This is where the original[I think]B&O and the line to D.C. come together.CSX and commuter trains all day.

[doghouse]

Point-of-Rocks has a very interesting station.This is where the original[I think]B&O and the line to D.C. come together.CSX and commuter trains all day.

 

In terms of distance, PoR to HF?

[Anonymous]

Not far.

My guess is 12 miles but that is just a WAG.

PoR featured a wye capable of turning entire trains, I dont know if it still exists or if they ever used it to turn trains.

[fifedog]

It used to be a great place to drive up to and take pics.  Now, the US Park Service insists that you park 5 miles away (and they are very zealous about this), and pay tribute (shuttle fees) for the right to enter the town.  I have since scratched it from my railfan haunts.

[Anonymous]

There are several places to park and hike in over the hills. If you are fit enough to walk 2-3 miles and then spend all day in town and walk out.. go for it.