Creeping Along the Virginia Creeper Trail in Abingdon, Virginia

The Virginia Creeper Trail got its start as a railway line shortly before the turn of the 20th century. It connected the towns of Abingdon and Damascus, VA. In a few years time, the line would expand to run all the way to Elkland, NC.

The rail line got its nickname “The Virginia Creeper” because of the strenuously steep climbs the steam locomotive had to pull the train up the steep grades, thus slowing it to a crawl.

Like most steam locomotives, the ones on the Creeper ran up until the late 1950’s. That’s when diesel engines took over the line and all of the steam engines that ran along the route were cut up for scrap.

The diesel era of the Creeper line continued up until 1977, when due to financial reasons, the rail line ceased operation.

Perhaps some of the most memorable moments of the Creepers’ history were captured by train photographer O. Winston Link. He became fascinated with trains at an early age and set out to photograph them in his adult life as a hobby.

For those not familiar with Link, he is one of the pioneers of night flash photography. And looking at his work you can see what he was able to accomplish in the days (or nights) of flashbulbs.

One of his famous night photos that you may recognize is the Hot Shot Eastbound, which featured a Norfolk and Western train passing a packed drive-in movie theater, using over 40 flash bulbs to capture.

Said Link, "Since I could only see the headlight of the locomotive in total darkness, I did not know until the flash was fired that I had captured this prize."

Pretty amazing when you realize he had only one shot to get the picture.

For all the railway fanatics out there, his photos can be seen at the O. Winston Link Museum in Roanoke, VA. It just happens to be the old Norfolk and Western Passenger Station.

But some of his pictures of the Abingdon-Elkland line hang at the Washington County Historical Society in Abingdon. They show railway life along the Virginia Creeper line.

Today, thanks to funds that encourage transforming old rail lines into public use trails, the Virginia Creeper has been given a new life as a trail open to cyclists, hikers and joggers.

The Virginia Creeper Trail runs for 34 miles from Abingdon to Whitetop, VA. It’s passes by a couple of old, restored stations and traverses over 47 trestles. Unfortunately, the steep grade is still there. The climb uphill from Abingdon to Whitetop is about 1500 feet or, if you prefer, you can ride those 1500 feet downhill ride.

The old rail line may be long gone. But for those fond of nostalgia, "Old Mollie," Norfolk & Western Engine 433, rests at the trailhead for the Virginia Creeper Trail in Abingdon, VA, still longing for the heyday of steam locomotives.