The B & O Railroad, between 1890 and 1901, purchased the corridor that is now the rail trail property. It became a railroad to service the coal industry in the early 1900's. Sometime in the 1980's, CSX Railroad bought out the B & O Railroad and became operators of the train track. Due to a washout, there was a terrible coal train accident that killed one engineer in 1988. At that time, the CSX Railroad decided to abandon the rail line and use the other tracks available in the area to transport coal. Shortly thereafter, the Marion County Parks And Recreation Commission purchased the right-of-way from Fairmont to Shinnston and over 1996 and 1997 developed the current rails to trails.

These former railroad lines, converted to trails, offer tremendous opportunities for recreation. They are generally flat in nature and vary from paved surfaces to crushed limestone. Below you will find links to the two trails that are part of the Rail Trails of North Central West Virginia. (See Map)

Ralph S. LaRue/
West Fork River Trail

14.5 Mile Paved and Packed Limestone Trail

GO THERE

MCTRAIL
(Marion County Trail)
2.5 mile  paved trail from
Fairmont to Pricketts Fort State Park

Featuring the 1,200 ft lighted and paved

Meredith Tunnel

GO THERE

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To ensure all trail users safety and enjoyment, please observe the following:

• Helmets are required for cyclists

• Always alert others when passing

• Pass only on the left. Stay right

• Please keep pets on a short leash
  (Scoop the Poop!)

• Yield to slower traffic

• This is your trail. Keep it clean

• Respect private property. Stay on the trail

• Always move off the trail when stopped

• In-Line skaters and Cyclists, yield to others

• Light no fires. Camping is prohibited

• Stop at ALL road crossings

• Prevent Accidents. STAY ALERT!
• No unauthorized motor vehicles
• No Firearms or hunting from trails
• Report trail problems or unusual conditions
  to MCPARC @ 363-7037