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West Virginia Scenic Byways

Coal Heritage Trail

Total Segments Traveled

6/29/2007 Got on the Coal Heritage Trail Byway (Coal NHA) in Bluefield and stopped at Pinnacle Rock. Walked the trail up to the rock and I climbed out a bit while Mom stayed on the wood observation platform. Very nice Catskills-like view of the mountains. Back on the CHT through many small towns (not in great shape – closed stores, tough looking homes!). Followed the railroad a lot and saw some coal processing plants. Some parts of the road, especially the last were quite snaky and the occasional rain didn’t help.

The Byway sign

The Pinnacle Rock sign ...

... and me on the Rock

A nice mountain panorama from the Rock

Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike

Total Segments Traveled

6/27/2018 From here I got on a route to trace two sections of the Staunton-Parkersburg Turnpike NSB. The road for the most part simply paralleled the highway, was not noteworthy, and I saw no signage.

A view down the road

Washington Heritage Trail

Total Segments Traveled

6/26/2018 From here I followed a route along the Washington Heritage Trail NSB into WV, with one NPS stop and a short detour to an NHL: Jefferson County Courthouse in Charlestown. This is also in the JTHG NHA. Just a photo-op here, including a convenient Byway sign. ... Finishing my stretch of the NSB I arrived in Martinsburg for... Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Martinsburg Shops NHL. Significant both for its railroading architecture and for its role in the Great Railroad Strike of 1877, it includes the oldest covered roundhouse in the US. Photos on the outside here, including the roundhouse, and some exhibits in the railroad station which is the VC for the Washington Heritage Trail NSB.

Sign by the Courthouse

Close-up of the sign

Info about the Byway

A look down the road ...

... and another ...

... and another

Signage in Martinsburg

Details about the NHL

A look at the NHL buildings

Closer look at the roundhouse

Byway VC ...

 ... Byway info inside