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254:. In contrast to his large number of night shots, using black-and-white film and synchronized flashbulb arrays, he photographed the Abingdon Branch during the day, in color. Many of his world-famous images are now housed in the former Norfolk and Western passenger station in Roanoke, Virginia: now the O. Winston Link Museum.
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In 1957, the last steam engine retired, replaced by diesel-powered engines. By 1974, the
Norfolk and Western Railroad Company petitioned the Interstate Commerce Commission to abandon the line. Finally, circumstances in 1977 induced the ICC to approve abandonment, as train service was forced to cease
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Following Laurel Creek and traversing rolling farm countryside as well as a number of privately owned sections, the route necessitates cyclists open and close private gates. The trail features numerous intermediate access points, and between
Abingdon and Watauga, five emergency call boxes can access
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The trail is for recreational use, but is also used to host numerous local events and races such as the Run
Damascus events, Down the Mountain Marathon, Iron Mountain Trail Races, Dam Yeti 50, Yeti 100, and Bridges & Trestles.
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Travelling from
Abingdon, the trail goes through Watauga, Alvarado, Damascus, Straight Branch, Taylors Valley, Creek Junction, Green Cove and Whitetop. Elevation drops approximately 300 feet (90 m) from Abingdon to the South
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is located directly next to the trailhead at
Abingdon, and the trail itself passes several restored stations. Two railroad cabooses are also located along the trail; one at the midpoint in Damascus and another at Taylors Valley.
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for a recreation trail. The land in North
Carolina was returned to the land owners. In Virginia, the right-of-way is owned by the Towns of Abingdon and Damascus, and by the National Park Service and the National Forest Service.
188:(near Damascus) and then climbs nearly 2,000 feet (610 m) to Whitetop. From Damascus, numerous private services are available to shuttle cyclist to Whitetop for the 17-mile (27 km) return descent.
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railroad, which had partially funded the building of the line, took control of it and dubbed it its
Abingdon Branch. In 1933, service to Todd ended when the terminus moved to
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The trail accommodates hikers, cyclists and equestrians on its descent from
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Removal of the track began very soon after and the land in
Virginia was secured by the
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This colorful and rustic branch line was a favorite of famed railroad photographer
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when hard rains flooded and damaged most of the line, which was left unrepaired.
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Riders stop at one of the high trestles on the
Virginia Creeper Trail.
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In February 1900, the Virginia–Carolina Railway began operating in
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Official Website of the Virginia Creeper Trail Organization
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421:George Washington and Jefferson National Forests
411:Protected areas of Washington County, Virginia
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281:at the trail head of Virginia Creeper Trail.
396:Long-distance trails in the United States
106:Learn how and when to remove this message
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130:is a 35-mile (56 km) multi-purpose
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416:National Recreation Trails in Virginia
401:Mount Rogers National Recreation Area
151:Mount Rogers National Recreation Area
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44:adding citations to reliable sources
332:Washington & Old Dominion Trail
168:state line – passing through
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206:Abingdon Coal and Iron Railroad
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307:High Bridge Trail State Park
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312:New River Trail State Park
210:Virginia–Carolina Railway
55:"Virginia Creeper Trail"
406:Rail trails in Virginia
431:Bike paths in Virginia
322:Virginia Capital Trail
317:Greenbrier River Trail
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128:Virginia Creeper Trail
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200:The trail runs on a
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40:improve this article
302:List of rail trails
426:Southwest Virginia
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217:Damascus, Virginia
147:Whitetop, Virginia
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252:Ogle Winston Link
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202:rail right-of-way
174:Appalachian Trail
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385:Categories
338:References
297:Rail trail
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66:newspapers
286:See also
162:Damascus
153:and the
143:Abingdon
139:Virginia
279:No. 433
265:No. 433
196:History
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352:"Home"
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225:Todd
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