The railroads serving West Virginia played an enormously important role in the state’s growth and development. They connected West Virginia with the world, speeding the Mountain State’s coal, timber and other products to market and bringing in goods from near and far.
The rail industry has changed dramatically over the decades. West Virginia once had dozens of railroads of varying lengths, some long and many short. But over time a tidal wave of consolidations and mergers dramatically reduced their number. The state now is served by only two Class 1 railroads, CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern Corp.
Click here to read the full story.