Wheeling, West Virginia

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Wheeling, West Virginia: Appalachian Hub for Railroads and Industry

The West Virginia city of Wheeling, a historic industrial powerhouse situated in the Appalachian region, owes much of its development to its strategic position on the Ohio River and the arrival of the railroad. Located at approximately 40.07° N, 80.70° W, the city sits at an elevation of around 687 feet above sea level. While its 2020 census population stood at 27,062, its larger metropolitan area of 139,513 residents reflects its past prominence as a regional center of commerce and industry.

Wheeling’s Appalachian history and industrial might

Wheeling’s history is deeply intertwined with its identity as an Appalachian city. In 1818, it became the western terminus of the National Road, making it a critical gateway for westward expansion and trade. This early transportation advantage set the stage for Wheeling’s industrial boom in the mid-19th century. The city earned the nickname “Nail City” due to its prolific iron and steel mills, which produced iron nails for a growing nation. Other key industries included glass manufacturing and tobacco production. The city’s economic importance was so significant that it became the birthplace of West Virginia and its first state capital in 1863, a distinction earned during the Civil War.

The railroads arrive and transform Wheeling

Rail transportation arrived in Wheeling in 1853 when the Baltimore and Ohio (B&O) Railroad completed a line connecting the city to Baltimore, Pennsylvania, and other northeastern markets. This railroad proved vital to the Union war effort during the Civil War, transporting soldiers and supplies. In the decades that followed, rail access became essential for Wheeling’s factories. It allowed for the efficient transport of raw materials, such as iron ore and coal, and the distribution of finished products, like nails, steel, and glass, to a broader national market.

A network of connected railroads

While the B&O was the first and most prominent railroad in Wheeling, it was not the only one. Other railway companies, including subsidiaries and predecessors, connected to Wheeling during the 19th and 20th centuries, expanding the city’s reach.

  • Pennsylvania Railroad System: The Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) system’s “Pan Handle Route” (officially the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad) crossed the Northern Panhandle. It connected to Wheeling via the Steubenville Railroad Bridge over the Ohio River, linking the city to Pittsburgh and western destinations. A predecessor, the Pittsburgh, Wheeling and Kentucky Railroad, also served the area.
  • Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway System: The original Wheeling and Lake Erie (W&LE), established in 1871, hauled coal from Ohio to Lake Erie ports. It connected to Wheeling through its subsidiary, the Wheeling Bridge and Terminal Company.
  • Wheeling Terminal Railway: This short-line railroad operated locally, handling freight and switching services to connect various industries and other rail lines within the Wheeling area. It was a subsidiary of the original W&LE system.

The railroads today: W&LE, CSX, and NS

Wheeling’s peak as a railroad and industrial hub has long since passed, but freight activity persists. The modern Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway (W&LE), formed in 1990, continues the city’s rail legacy. It operates as a regional railroad serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Maryland. In 2025, FTAI Infrastructure, Inc. acquired the W&LE for over $1 billion, ensuring continued operations in the region.

Today, the major Class I railroads, CSX Transportation (CSX) and Norfolk Southern (NS), do not have a direct, large-scale presence in Wheeling. The former B&O routes are now mostly under W&LE control. Much of the trackage from the original W&LE system was absorbed by NS’s predecessor, the Norfolk and Western Railway, and later sold off to the modern W&LE. The Ohio River Trail, a rail-trail, also follows former railbeds, including those used by the Wheeling Terminal Railway. While CSX and NS operate large rail networks throughout the eastern U.S., their service in the Wheeling area is primarily handled through interchanges with the W&LE, rather than operating their own lines directly into the city. Passenger rail service ceased in 1961, with the historic station now part of West Virginia Northern Community College.

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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