Greenbrier River

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Greenbrier River Valley

The Greenbrier River, a 162-mile tributary of the New River, carves a significant valley through southeastern West Virginia’s Appalachian Mountains, serving as a critical passage for the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway (C&O) mainline. Originating from two forks in Pocahontas County at elevations above 3,600 feet, the river flows southward, draining a 1,656-square-mile watershed before joining the New River at Hinton. Geologically, the valley cuts across the northeast-southwest trend of the Appalachians, navigating the boundary between the folded Valley and Ridge Province and the Allegheny Plateau. Formed during the Alleghenian Orogeny around 300 million years ago, the region’s uplifted sedimentary rocks—sandstones, shales, and Greenbrier Limestone—were eroded over millennia, creating a broad valley with gentle grades (averaging under 0.2%) that breach rugged mountain ridges. This natural corridor, marked by karst features like caves and sinkholes, facilitated connectivity through an otherwise formidable landscape.

Chesapeake & Ohio Railway

The Greenbrier Valley’s accessibility made it a vital route for human activity, particularly for railroads. Native Americans and early settlers used the valley as a travel corridor, but by the late 19th century, the C&O recognized its strategic value for its mainline. The C&O mainline, constructed in the 1870s, followed the Greenbrier River from Hinton to Ronceverte and beyond, exploiting the valley’s low-gradient path to transport coal, timber, and other goods westward to Huntington, West Virginia, and Cincinnati, Ohio. This mainline became a backbone for regional commerce, connecting Appalachian resources to eastern markets and supporting industrial growth. The valley’s gentle terrain minimized costly engineering, making it ideal for heavy freight trains.

In 1899–1900, the C&O extended its reach with the Greenbrier Division, a branch line from Whitcomb Junction near Ronceverte northward to Durbin. Completed in December 1900, this branch, operated by the C&O subsidiary Greenbrier Railway, served the lumber industry, hauling spruce and supporting tanneries. Stations like Marlinton’s 1901 depot facilitated passengers and freight until service ceased in 1978. The abandoned branch was transformed in 1979 into the 77-mile Greenbrier River Trail, a rail-trail for hiking and biking, preserving the railroad’s legacy.

CSX Railroad

The C&O mainline, however, remains active under CSX Transportation, handling millions of tons of freight annually, underscoring the valley’s enduring role as a conduit through the Appalachians.

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 content on the website is verified across multiple sources.

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