The growth comes minus any advertising campaign or ads.
One of the most used trail heads is at Dundon where the above welcome sign is situated at the confluence of the Elk River and Buffalo Creek.
Along the way there are now a few picnic tables and restrooms.
For 2024,
the Buffalo Creek Railroad spur line from Dundon to nearly
Widen is set for opening complete with rail rides by the Rail
Explorers contractor. Look for those cars to be up and running
in mid Spring.
The plan was for the rail rides to open in 2023 but mind numbing foot dragging by the Central Appalachia Empowerment Zone group got in the way. The CAEZ by itself, on its own, cost County Clay $1000's in new tourist dollars.
Picture above is Buffalo Creek which runs beside the recently refurbished rails and hiking trail.
The plan was for the rail rides to open in 2023 but mind numbing foot dragging by the Central Appalachia Empowerment Zone group got in the way. The CAEZ by itself, on its own, cost County Clay $1000's in new tourist dollars.
Picture above is Buffalo Creek which runs beside the recently refurbished rails and hiking trail.
Along the
BC&G RR spur line there are places where the trail runs
between the rails and Buffalo Creek. In other stretches, there
is no stand alone trail. Users there will have to use the
graveled space between the rails for their adventures.
Buffalo
Creek is the County's only waterway stocked with trout.
Long stretches of the creek have access via the rails / trail.
Such remoteness insures fishing adventures for the outdoors
men and women.
Four years ago when the ERTS was announced, most in the county said BS and this will never happen.
When the old rails were removed and fresh coat of limestone dust was applied, the naysayers said, still ain't going to happen.
When the hikers and horseback riders starting showing up, the dumb bunnies complained, this County ain't getting any $$$ from it. One Badge made his thoughts known with: this ain't going to be nothing but another headache for us!
Then two years ago a railroad contractor got to work rebuilding the rail bed, cross ties, rails and bridges. This year that $9 million investment is ready to be used. At some point the owners of the Rail Explorers company said they expected upwards of 50,000 per year will be using the rails.
So with many jobs already created and many new faces already using the main line along the Elk River, there are still those dimly lits saying, it never going to happen.
The fact is, ERTS is here and the blue-bloods had nothing to do with it, no say so or line their pockets. How much better could it get.
From Frank Tygor: Man's greatest enemy is his own apathy and stubbornness.
Four years ago when the ERTS was announced, most in the county said BS and this will never happen.
When the old rails were removed and fresh coat of limestone dust was applied, the naysayers said, still ain't going to happen.
When the hikers and horseback riders starting showing up, the dumb bunnies complained, this County ain't getting any $$$ from it. One Badge made his thoughts known with: this ain't going to be nothing but another headache for us!
Then two years ago a railroad contractor got to work rebuilding the rail bed, cross ties, rails and bridges. This year that $9 million investment is ready to be used. At some point the owners of the Rail Explorers company said they expected upwards of 50,000 per year will be using the rails.
So with many jobs already created and many new faces already using the main line along the Elk River, there are still those dimly lits saying, it never going to happen.
The fact is, ERTS is here and the blue-bloods had nothing to do with it, no say so or line their pockets. How much better could it get.
From Frank Tygor: Man's greatest enemy is his own apathy and stubbornness.
AW
