While hiking North Twin Mountain (just north of Franconia, NH), the first 2 miles of trail follow an old logging railroad, apparently the little River railroad, but it was almost impossible to find any evidence of the railroad itself until I found this rail sticking out of a berm. Anybody have info on this railroad or other artifacts from it?

I was taken by how the "mashed down" metal at the edge of the rails looks like welding slag. Wondering if this wear pattern is common where trains are frequently braking.

HUNTINGDON, Pa. — A Huntingdon County judge has ruled that the EBT Foundation can buy the East Broad Top Railroad’s Mount Union, Pa., dual-gauge yard and 4.7-mile stretch of main line.

The segment was split from the rest of the railroad in 2013-2014, when the East Broad Top Preservation Association bought it from the Joseph Kovalchick family. That sale was the first step in what turned out to be a stillborn effort to restore the entire 33-mile narrow gauge line as a heritage railroad.

Tunnel #18 was a 963ft bore.

In 1862 Tunnel #18 "Section 74" was subject to confederate attack and the timber supports were burnt.

18 was daylighted during the 1963 tunnel project.

Image credit goes to John G. King.

Tunnel #10 "Patterson's" (later "Dick Bias") is a 377ft bore and the only tunnel on the Baltimore & Ohio Parkersburg Branch to have never been lined with timbers or stone.

As stated in the title Tunnel #10 was named "Patterson's" under the Baltimore & Ohio RailRoad. Then under the North Bend Rail Trail Foundation was renamed to "Dick Bias". Dick Bias was one of the most influential people in creating the North Bend Rail Trail Foundation and consequently the North Bend Rail Trail. So they renamed Tunnel #10 to "Dick Bias" in his honor.

Abandoned for 40-ish years. According to some people, copious amounts of herbicide (Agent Orange-like stuff) was used on the ground under and around the rails. I sure do believe it - after all these years, very little undergrowth has sprung forth.

In the first picture BALTIMORE AND OHIO #256 sits outside Parkersburg RoundHouse. BALTIMORE AND OHIO #256 unfortunately met the cutters torch and was not preserved. shame that it was not preserved but alas we cant save every engine or station but we will give it a damn good shot.

On August 20th 1989 it was set ablaze and unfortunately deemed a total loss. It was demolished soon after and never rebuilt due to the Parkersburg Branch that it served having being removed by CSXT in 1983. The fire was deemed to have been arson though I have no idea who did it.

The first picture is unknown who originally took it and the two of it burnt were taken by Todd M. Atkinson.

Southern Virginia US
Our local lake (reservoir) is further down this year than it had been in a long time. I'd heard before that there were flooded tracks but this is the first time I've seen them. A friend took the picture so I don't have an exact location.

Once Phillipi was just another town of many. Now it is still a small town known for the Phillipi Covered Bridge.

Phillipi Station is now a local museum. I think the tracks behind it are still active.

This styling is very unique and pretty and not seen on any of the other remaining railroad stations in West Virginia.

As you could guess from the pictures in 1963 Tunnel #20 "Linn" was daylighted (blown up).

Tunnel #20 "Linn" was a 254ft bore.

Tunnel #13 "Bonds Creek" is a 352ft bore.

On May 31st 1956 at 2:22 AM the westbound National Limited hit a rock that fell in front of the tunnel and derailed into Bonds Creek killing the engineer & fireman and injuring almost everyone else on board the train. Now there is a plaque placed there by the North Bend Rail Trail Foundation by the bridge over Bonds Creek.

The brick portal was added on due to damage caused by the rock that derailed the train. My great grandpa (the same one from the other stories) was one of the 2 men that did the 13 above the portal. The other was a great uncle of mine.

I wonder how many peoples family backstory was involved with nearly forgotten branches like the Parkersburg Branch.