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.

Radisson hotelhotel room view of Mon riverlock on Mon riverbarge and tug on Mon riverold rail bridge now part of walking trailMorgantown

Model Contest:  Division Four had a couple of big winners.  Their engines are the first two pictures.

scratchbuilt Shay engine in H OContest structureContest structurecontest - small town scene

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 considered.  The machinery was proprietary and couldn't be photographed.   Excellent presentation by a friendly staff.

paper recycling plantrail box cars in recycling plant

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.

old buildings near yard in Grafton W Vgrafton w v yardold painted sign on building in graftonrail office in grafton wv

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

tunnel portals near tunnelton w vtunneltown w v freight housetunneltown w v station

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.

View of rowelsburg w v from mountain toptray run viaductCSX train approaching on tray run viaductformer M and K engine facility