2006 MCR Regional Convention: Mountain State Express in Morgantown West Virginia

 The Radisson Hotel in Morgantown is next to the Monongahela River (the 2nd picture is from our hotel room window).  A flood control dam and lock were close by and saw some water traffic.  A railtrail now exists between the hotel and the river where the B&O once ran, with a well engineered "footbridge" that could hold a lot of pedestrians.  The other side of the river had a still active single track of the former Monongahela Railroad (now CSX) with about 6 trains a day. The buildings throughout the town varied in their architecture.

Model Contest:  Division Four had a couple of big winners - see the online May 2006 Flatwheel for details.  Their engines are the first two pictures.

Prototype Tour: American Fiber Resources - Paper recycling has come a long way in the past 20 years.  If you're modeling the 21st century, this plant should be included.  The machinery was proprietary and couldn't be photographed.   Excellent presentation by a friendly staff.

Prototype Tour: Grafton to Tunnelton on the B&O - Grafton (l to r)  Freight House, Yard, a recently exposed building side, the Station (being restored) and former rail office building.

Tunnelton (l to r) The tunnels, the Freight House, and the Station (also being restored)

Prototype Tour: Rowlesburg - This town is about as railroad tour friendly as could be imagined.  The historical society (which included the mayor) drove us to the top of a nearby mountain in their vans while giving us a detailed account of the town's Civil War battle and other historical details).  The site of a Civil War cannon emplacement provided us with a great "sub Z scale" view of the town.   A second leg of the visit included a combination drive and walk to Tray Run Viaduct (complete with a coal train), and the third leg had us visiting the former M&K engine facility (still in use by CSX track crews).   The town also contained a restored depot and partially restored caboose.  Rowlesburg has a Rail Days event (I forget the actual name) on Labor Day, and considering how well we were treated, it might be worth a drive back.