Don't know if many of us know about the fire that destroyed the 107-year old Marlinton WV Railroad Depot two weeks ago http://www.pocahontastimes.com/index.php?id=124. the register, listed in the National Register and the most frequent stop for Greenbrier Trail cyclists in their post-ski season, burned down and was a total loss. This was one of the few historical deports that still sported the original equipment and furniture. The Marlinton Railroad Depot Inc. - a non profit organization that was set up to hold title and keeping the historical property in repair - met; and, determined it was the right thing to do, to rebuild the depot. They have some insurance, a grant for a new roof which they hope to get approval to use for the reconstruction; and the outpouring of support from many people.

The accidental loss of this structure has traumatized the community of Marlinton and will affect the thousands of people who yearly use the depot as a landmark, information stop and rendezvous point.

If you're interested in contributing to the rebuilding of this very historical structure, you may do so at

Marlinton Railroad Depot Inc, P.O. Box 63, Marlinton, WV 24954. Information about the organization is at http://www.taxexemptworld.com/organization.asp?tn=380806

Lou,
Thanks for sharing...sad story, I hope it gets rebuilt.
However, is there freight rail service to Marlington? Hmm....if so, rail to ski might be viable.
The Colonel

Oh shucks, I'm sorry to tell you that the last train to leave Marlinton was in 1958... Sniff, sniff....

Actually, the old C&O railbed is now the famous Greenbriar Trail, extending from just below Snowshoe (Cass) to White Sulphur Springs, a spectacular bicycle (fat tire) excursion with tunnels, bridges, bear and wonderful river views. Marlinton's rail depot was at the 23 mile point, and so was the most popular spot for day-trippers.

The Northern end of the rail bed from Cass is now the Cass Scenic Railroad that takes you on a trip through the past, with ghost towns and a family experience.

The nearest rail is Amtrak station at the Greenbriar Hotel. Nonetheless, once gas goes above $10 a gallon, we'll definitely have rail-to-ski. Something like the Shinkansen in Japan... Just imagine - 45 minutes from Union Station in DC to Canaan, and another 10 minutes to Snowshoe...