Abandoned Train Tunnels (& Old Cars) in Braxton County, West Virginia

North of Gassaway, West Virginia, along the original Coal & Coke Railway, there are two old train tunnels in Braxton County. These tunnels were used by the Coal & Coke Railway, then by the Baltimore & Ohio Railway, and then finally by the Elk River Railroad (which ceased operations in April 2022). It appears the tracks North of Gassaway as well as the tunnels have been abandoned to nature. There may be plans to add this section to the Elk River Trail (rail trail). All tracks in the town of Gassaway have been pulled up for the trail, but not North of Gassaway (yet). What a scenic railway this section would make. There were 12 total tunnels built on the C & C Railway from Gassaway to Elkins. The tunnels were numbered 1 to 12 starting at Elkins going to Gassaway.

0:00 The first of the two tunnels shown is the furthest from Gassaway on this section, located at the former community of Braxton and known as the Delta Tunnel (tunnel #11). The tunnel is 1,120 feet long. Views of both ends of the Delta Tunnel are shown. This tunnel can be accessed by driving on the Exchange Road and then turning onto the one-lane, gravel Slab Camp Road. On Slab Camp Road, simply travel until the road begins an ascent up the hill, and park at the bottom of either side and walk the tracks to the tunnel.

5:40 Traveling between the two tunnels along the tracks, a couple of old abandoned cars were spotted in the woods.

8:04 The second tunnel shown, closest to Gassaway, is the 2,360 foot long Little Otter Tunnel (near Pembroke, known as tunnel #12). Since this tunnel was flooded, mostly exterior and drone views of the same are shown. The southern end of this tunnel is easily accessed by driving on Chapel Route and turning on the one-lane, mostly paved (until last quarter mile) Tunnel Fork Road and following Tunnel Fork Road for about two miles until the gravel portion of the road starts uphill, and then walk the tracks about one-fifth of a mile.

The abandoned tunnel #6 can be viewed at this link:    • Abandoned Railroad Tunnel at Sago, We...  

Tunnels 1 to 5:    • Abandoned Railroad Tunnels, Old Coal ...  

An excellent history, with countless photos, of the section North of Gassaway to Burnsville/Glenville can be found at: https://www.wvncrails.org/bo-charlest...