Norfolk & Western (N&W) Abingdon Branch – Virginia Creeper

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N&W Abingdon Branch – The Virginia Creeper

The Abingdon Branch of the Norfolk & Western (N&W) Railway, affectionately known as the “Virginia Creeper,” was a testament to the ingenuity required to conquer the beautiful but challenging Appalachian landscape. From its origins as a short-line effort to tap into mineral resources, it evolved into a vital artery for timber, freight, and passengers, serving a remote corner of Southwest Virginia and Northwest Carolina. Though its active service ended in 1977, its legacy lives on as the renowned Virginia Creeper Trail, one of the nation’s most celebrated rail-to-trail conversions.

The early history

The story of the Abingdon Branch begins in 1887, with the chartering of the Abingdon Coal and Iron Railroad (AC&IRR). The initial ambition was to exploit the rich natural resources of the region, though the railroad’s initial construction was limited. The economic vision of the early 1900s for this line was driven by the quest for timber and mineral wealth. In 1900, the Virginia-Carolina Railroad (VCRR) acquired the AC&IRR and began the arduous process of extending the line deeper into the mountains. By 1915, VCRR trains were running on a 76.5-mile track from Abingdon to Elkland, North Carolina, now known as Todd, NC.

Purchase by the Norfolk & Western

In 1916, the railroad’s path took a significant turn when the powerful N&W purchased the VCRR, incorporating it into their expansive network as the Abingdon Branch. The N&W’s early 20th-century plan for the branch was not necessarily about expansion, but about leveraging existing infrastructure to extract the area’s bountiful resources, particularly timber. The harsh reality of the mountainous terrain meant expansion was difficult and expensive. Following the Great Depression, the Elkland (Todd) to West Jefferson segment was abandoned in 1933, reducing the line to its final 55.5-mile length from Abingdon to West Jefferson, NC.

The heyday of the “Virginia Creeper”

The nickname “Virginia Creeper” perfectly captured the character of the railroad. It was a slow, deliberate journey, defined by the steep grades, sharp curves, and numerous wooden trestles required to navigate the high, scenic terrain. The trains moved so slowly that the legend developed that passengers could hop off, pick flowers, and hop back on without the train leaving them behind. The railroad became an essential lifeline for the isolated mountain communities it served, carrying everything from timber and livestock to mail and passengers. The line’s most iconic era was its time under steam power, which ceased in 1957. This period was immortalized by the photographer O. Winston Link, whose dramatic nighttime photographs of the steam engines and mountain life captured the imagination of a generation and became iconic works of art.

The twilight of the rails and eventual closure

The decline of the Abingdon Branch mirrored the fate of many regional railroads in the mid-20th century. The rise of Interstate trucking provided a more efficient and cost-effective method of transporting goods, rendering the slow, winding mountain railroad obsolete. After steam operations ended, the branch relied on diesel locomotives, but freight revenues continued to decline. Mixed-train service was dropped in 1963, and the final nail in the coffin was an application by the N&W to abandon the line in 1976. Permission was granted, and the last train, a revenue run, traveled the line on March 31, 1977. The tracks were removed, but this was not the end of the line’s story.

The birth of a national treasure: The Virginia Creeper Trail

The abandonment of the rail line provided an opportunity for local visionaries to create a new kind of community asset. Through a cooperative effort involving the towns of Abingdon, Damascus, and the U.S. Forest Service, the former railroad bed was converted into a recreational trail. The 34.3-mile Virginia Creeper Trail was designated a National Recreation Trail in 1986 and officially opened in 1987.

The trail quickly gained national acclaim for its accessibility, scenic beauty, and unique character. The downhill grade from Whitetop to Damascus makes it accessible for all ages and skill levels, leading to its widespread popularity for biking. The trail meanders through the stunning scenery of the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area, with highlights including numerous historic trestle bridges, lush rhododendron and mountain laurel thickets, and the banks of the Whitetop Laurel Creek. It has become a significant economic engine for the region, transforming the mountain communities it once served with tourism and outdoor recreation.

Hurricane Helene and the Creeper’s resilience

In late September 2024, the Virginia Creeper Trail faced its greatest modern challenge when Hurricane Helene made landfall as a Category 4 storm. The storm’s inland path brought immense rainfall and flooding to Southwest Virginia, causing catastrophic damage to the trail. The devastation was particularly severe on the upper 18-mile stretch between Damascus and Whitetop, which runs through the Mount Rogers National Recreation Area.

The damage was extensive, with more than half of the trestle bridges on that section either severely damaged or completely washed away. Significant portions of the trail bed were eroded and scoured by floodwaters, rendering the upper section impassable. The lower portion of the trail, between Abingdon and Damascus, suffered less damage and was reopened shortly after the storm.

The immediate aftermath saw an outpouring of local, state, and federal attention, including visits from government officials. Recovery efforts began immediately, but the damage was so profound that major restoration work and reopening timelines remain uncertain. The closure of the upper section has significantly impacted local businesses that rely on the shuttle service that carries riders to Whitetop, where they begin their leisurely descent. Nevertheless, the resilience of the community and the trail’s stakeholders suggests that the Creeper will endure, a new chapter in its storied history of adapting to change and overcoming challenges.

Current Status of the Creeper Trail

Please note: As of September 2025, there is no official reopening date for the entire Virginia Creeper Trail following the extensive damage from Hurricane Helene in September 2024. The section of the trail from Damascus to Whitetop remains closed due to safety concerns and ongoing recovery efforts. 

Ongoing recovery and uncertain timeline

  • Significant damage: Hurricane Helene caused catastrophic damage to the upper 18 miles of the trail between Damascus and Whitetop, with more than 30 trestles either compromised or completely destroyed. The trail bed itself was also severely eroded in many places.
  • Phased recovery effort: The recovery is a multi-phase process managed by the U.S. Forest Service.
    • Phase 1 (completed): By July 2025, initial debris removal was completed, including the clearing of over 30,000 cubic yards of debris from the area between Damascus and Konnarock.
    • Phase 2 (planning): As of August 2025, the Forest Service was in the process of awarding a major contract for the redesign and rebuild of the damaged trestles and trail sections. A winning contractor was expected to be announced in mid-September 2025, with work potentially beginning in late September or early October.
  • Reopening highly dependent on progress: The timeline for reopening the closed sections is dependent on the progress of the major rebuilding project. Some early estimates from community members suggested a timeline of 2–5 years, though there were hopes among locals for a faster recovery. Officials emphasize that any entry into the active construction zone is dangerous and can cause significant delays. 

Navigating the open and closed sections

  • Open sections: The lower 16.3 miles of the trail, running from Abingdon to Damascus, is open for use and has been since shortly after the hurricane.
  • Impact on businesses: The prolonged closure of the popular upper section has had a substantial negative impact on local businesses that depend on the shuttle service and tourism it generates.
  • Staying updated: The U.S. Forest Service maintains a dedicated webpage for updates on the recovery effort. Visitors and those interested in the trail’s progress should consult this page for the most current and accurate information. 

Additional sources for this page

  • WJHL-TV
  • Cardinal News
  • Trail Link
  • Appalachian Voices
  • U. S. Forest Service

For More Information – Sources and Resources

The following are excellent resources for those of you wanting to explore and learn more about the history and operation of the Appalachian Railroads. These sources of information also serve as reference and historical materials for Appalachian-Railroads.org. Much of the collective railroad history data points on this website are verified across multiple sources.

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Would enjoy hearing from you if you have questions, suggestions, edits, or content that you are willing to share. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have similar interests in the railroads or model railroading.

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