History of The Buffalo Creek & Gauley Railroad Co-op
On April 1, 1904, the BC&G Railroad was chartered to run from Dundon to Widen, West Virginia - a distance of 18.6 miles. The objective was to haul supplies and empty coal hoppers to the Rich Run Mine at Widen and take loaded hoppers back to Dundon where the coal would then be shipped to points throughout the United States.
In 1918, a sawmill was started halfway between Dundon and Widen. The town which grew up here was called "Swandale". In its heyday, Swandale was home to over 400 residents. At Swandale, the BC&G Railroad would start a log train to haul timber to the sawmill at Swandale. When the lumber was ready to ship, most of it was shipped on the BC&G Railroad.
The BC&G Railroad operated full time until 1964. Part of the BC&G Railroad was rebuilt in the late 70's and early 80's to haul coal, but was abandoned when a flood washed out a bridge across the Buffalo Creek.
In the Summer of 2005 the Buffalo Creek and Gauley Railroad Co-Operative was formed with the guidance of Central Appalachia Empowerment Zone of WV. The intent of CAEZ and the BC&G Co-op was to acquire 14.5 miles of the BC&G Railroad to create a rail excursion on one of the most scenic and undisturbed areas of West Virginia. Passengers will experience the beauty of Buffalo Creek which is virtually unchanged from when the railroad first began. The area's natural beauty is enhanced by waterfalls, wildlife, wildflowers, rock formations, and the wonder of the people who lived and worked on this stretch of isolated railroad.
In 1918, a sawmill was started halfway between Dundon and Widen. The town which grew up here was called "Swandale". In its heyday, Swandale was home to over 400 residents. At Swandale, the BC&G Railroad would start a log train to haul timber to the sawmill at Swandale. When the lumber was ready to ship, most of it was shipped on the BC&G Railroad.
The BC&G Railroad operated full time until 1964. Part of the BC&G Railroad was rebuilt in the late 70's and early 80's to haul coal, but was abandoned when a flood washed out a bridge across the Buffalo Creek.
In the Summer of 2005 the Buffalo Creek and Gauley Railroad Co-Operative was formed with the guidance of Central Appalachia Empowerment Zone of WV. The intent of CAEZ and the BC&G Co-op was to acquire 14.5 miles of the BC&G Railroad to create a rail excursion on one of the most scenic and undisturbed areas of West Virginia. Passengers will experience the beauty of Buffalo Creek which is virtually unchanged from when the railroad first began. The area's natural beauty is enhanced by waterfalls, wildlife, wildflowers, rock formations, and the wonder of the people who lived and worked on this stretch of isolated railroad.
30 Ton Diesel Engine & 2 Wabash Cabooses
Three Rail Buggys
Large or Small Groups Welcome
Lodge and Community Center
Almost Completed!
Campsite #1
Community with Privacy
