By Railfan & Railroad Staff OmniTRAX took over West Virginia’s South Branch Valley Railroad on December 1. The South Branch Valley operates on 52.4 miles of former Baltimore & Ohio track between Green Springs and Petersburg, W.Va. Since the 1970s, the line has been owned and operated by the West Virginia State Rail Authority. The South Branch Valley has used a fleet of EMDs in a B&O-inspired paint scheme. The line also hosts excursion trains operated by the Potomac Eagle. “OmniTRAX delivers industry-leading safety and reliability, and we’re honored to have been selected to operate this important railroad for the Eastern Panhandle Region and the State of West Virginia,” said OmniTRAX CEO Dean Piacente. “OmniTRAX has a proven track record of being committed community partners that bring new jobs to the areas we serve. We are excited to bring that spirit of service to the Potomac Highlands communities and operate with the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad to make the SBVR thrive.” SBVR is the 26th railroad to join OmniTRAX. https://railfan.com/omnitrax-takes-over-south-branch-valley/ —————————————- The SBVR was the first state owned and operated railroad in the country when the State of West Virginia acquired the former B&O branch in 1979. After nearly being destroyed by flooding in 1985, the state rebuilt the railroad extensively and operated it as well as they could. I am a former employee of the South Branch Valley (2008-2010) and I am sad to see it turned over, but I wish the Omnitrax folks the best of luck. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Included in the operating agreement is for the state to maintain ownership, maintenance costs to be shared 50/50 between the state and Omnitrax. The agreement also hands over 5 locomotives to Omnitrax (3 GP38-3’s, 2 GP9s). Omnitrax expected to bring it more power for potential unit feed train growth. Agreement protects the operation of the Potomac Eagle passenger train. There are also options for purchase of the line and equipment outright. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
