Aug 3 2021
CTW from
Virginia was awarded the BC&G RR rebuild contract with
construction beginning July 15 2021. Paid for by FEMA, all the
flood damage including a couple bridges will be completed in
300 days. Once complete and as part of the Elk River Trail
State Park, look for improved pedal car rides and hopefully, a
rail bus adventure.
Here's the condition of the BC&G RR spur line on July 22nd
With a $5.7 million contract in hand, workers got underway in late July to restore the old BC&G RR spur line into a workable tourist rail line. Quite a change and they're just getting started!
The goal is to clean off the trees, branches and slides from Dundon to above Swandale.
So how are they cleaning up the trail so nicely?
Contractor CTW strapped a big wood chipper to one of their heavy duty rail carts and drag along as they go.
We noticed something. So far, there is no sign of chemicals being used. That's great!
We think, when all said and done, the existing rails will be raised up a few inches and new ballast will be everywhere. In some places the hiking trail part will run along side the rails while in other locals, the trail will use existing roads.
AW