Tag: railroad

Harpers Ferry Rail Bridge Catches Fire, Temporarily Suspending Service

A bridge that transports CSX trains into Harpers Ferry caught fire Monday afternoon. Rail services were temporarily suspended, but were restored by noon Tuesday.

A bridge that transports CSX trains into Harpers Ferry caught fire Monday afternoon, causing significant structural damage and halting rail services.

CSX Spokesperson Bryan Tucker said the cause of the fire remains unknown, but that no injuries were reported.

Tucker said CSX was notified of a fire around 3:45 p.m. Emergency personnel reported that the fire was under control by 5:30 p.m.

After an inspection of the bridge’s structural integrity, CSX teams worked overnight to replace rail and railroad ties damaged by the fire, Tucker said.

The fire canceled MARC service (Maryland Area Regional Commuter) to Harpers Ferry and Martinsburg, as well as Amtrak’s Capitol Limited.

Rail services remained suspended until 3:30 a.m. Tuesday, when CSX team members restored one of the bridge’s rail lines. Tucker said repairs to the second line were completed by noon.

The bridge that caught fire Monday transports CSX trains between Washington County, Maryland and Harpers Ferry.

Photo Credit: Jack Walker/West Virginia Public Broadcasting

After the fire was reported Monday, local first responders arrived on the scene and found “a large fire on the bridge that looked to be spreading quickly,” according to a press release from the Washington County Division of Emergency Services in Maryland.

The first responders requested additional support from emergency personnel in Jefferson County, as well as Washington County, Maryland.

First responders from Washington County requested two boats “as a safety precaution” because crews were working “on an elevated structure above the Potomac River,” according to the press release.

Personnel called in additional emergency response units from the two counties, as well as Frederick County, Maryland. This was because of “high temperatures,” “extensive damage” and “limited water supply access,” the Division said.

Tucker said CSX will continue looking into the cause of the fire, and thanked first responders for their support.

After an inspection and hours of repair from CSX workers, rail services in Harpers Ferry resumed by noon Tuesday.

Photo Credit: Jack Walker/West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Spotlighting Award-Winning Stories, Inside Appalachia

This week, we listen back to three award-winning Folkways stories from last year. First, we visit a luthier’s shop, where old musical instruments get new life. We also take a ride on the Cass Scenic Railroad and meet the expert crew who keeps its antique trains running. And we learn what draws people from hours away to Floyd, Virginia’s weekly Friday Night Jamboree.

This week, we listen back to three award-winning Folkways stories from last year. First, we visit a luthier’s shop, where old musical instruments get new life.

We also take a ride on the Cass Scenic Railroad and meet the expert crew who keeps its antique trains running.   

And we learn what draws people from hours away to Floyd, Virginia’s weekly Friday Night Jamboree. 

You’ll hear these stories and more this week, Inside Appalachia.

In This Episode:

An Instrument Repair Ninja Shares His Story

Take a peek into the amazing musical world of Bob Smakula. Credit: Zack Harold/West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Since 2019, our Folkways project has produced more than 130 stories about mountain arts and culture. In this episode, we revisit three stories, which won awards at the Virginias Associated Press Broadcasters Competition.

We begin with a story about luthier Bob Smakula. He’s made a career out of fixing old musical instruments, so modern musicians can keep playing them. 

Folkways Reporter Zack Harold takes us to a place most people don’t get to visit: inside Smakula’s workshop.

Cass Scenic Railroad Looks To The Future

Built in the 1920s, the Durbin Rocket tourist train is a popular attraction for the Cass Railroad. Credit: Lauren Griffin/West Virginia Public Broadcasting

Generational learning is very important. In a visit to Cass Scenic Railroad, we hear from senior employee Rex Cassell, who passed away before this segment aired. 

Cassell was a crucial part of why visiting the Cass Railroad in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, feels like you’re stepping back in time. 

Folkways Reporter Lauren Griffin brought us this story.

Friday Night Lights Up At The Floyd Country Store

Robbie Harmon (back to camera) and Chad Ritchie (fiddle) of Wilkesboro, North Carolina, play music on the sidewalk at the Friday Night Jamboree in Floyd, Virginia. Credit: Mason Adams/West Virginia Public Broadcasting

We also visited the hometown of host Mason Adams — Floyd, Virginia. 

It’s this sprawling county, of about 15,000 people on the Blue Ridge Plateau, catty-corner to Roanoke and Blacksburg. There’s one stoplight in the county, and it’s in the town of Floyd — a tiny little place home to about 500 year-round residents.

Mason showed us around and took us to the Friday Night Jamboree at the Floyd Country Store. 

Marshall Student Journalist React To New Protections

West Virginia recently became the 17th state in the nation and the first Appalachian state to pass the Student Journalist Press Freedom Protection Act, which helps protect student journalists from censorship.

WVPB News Director Eric Douglas spoke with Makaylah Wheeler, the student news director at Marshall University campus radio station WMUL, and Faculty Advisor Chuck Bailey about how the law will affect their work. 

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Our theme music is by Matt Jackfert. Other music this week was provided by Marisa Anderson, Tyler Childers, The Wayfarers and The Appalachian Road Show. 

Bill Lynch is our producer. Our executive producer is Eric Douglas. Kelley Libby is our editor. Our audio mixer is Patrick Stephens. Zander Aloi also helped produce this episode.

You can send us an email at InsideAppalachia@wvpublic.org.

You can find us on Instagram and Twitter @InAppalachia and on Facebook here.

And you can sign up for our Inside Appalachia Newsletter here!

Inside Appalachia is a production of West Virginia Public Broadcasting.

W.Va. Scenic Railroad Transfer Expected to Go Smoothly

Officials say the transfer of operations for Pocahontas County’s historic Cass Scenic Railroad to the State Rail Authority is expected to go seamlessly.

The West Virginia’s Division of Natural Resources announced in October that it would transfer responsibility for Cass’ rail operations to the authority, which is the central state agency for railroad matters. The transfer is set to go into effect Jan. 1.

The Charleston Gazette reports that the Cass Scenic Railroad has had operating losses of about $1.5 million a year.

Visitors will see no changes in rail excursions next year but fares will likely increase moderately. Adult fares ranged from $19 to $33 in 2014.

The Division of Natural Resources will continue to operate Cass Scenic Railroad State Park. The park has 100,000 annual visitors.

Raleigh County Man Killed By Train

Police are investigating the death of a Raleigh County man who was hit by a Norfolk Southern Railroad train.

 
 The Raleigh County Sheriff’s Department reports 49-year-old Ricky Lee Gray of Eccles,WV was killed on impact.
 

The accident occurred around 12:30 Sunday afternoon near the town of Surveyor.

 
Police say the engineer attempted to warn Gray and tried to stop the train, which consisted of six locomotives.

 
 Norfolk Southern Railroad Police are assisting the sheriff’s department in the investigation.

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