Rail Service

Rail vs. Trail: Why Shenandoah County Must Preserve Its Rail Infrastructure

For more than a century, railroads were the backbone of American industry and transportation, providing a vital connection between rural communities and economic hubs. Shenandoah County now faces a critical decision—whether to convert its historic rail corridor into a dedicated recreational trail or adopt a Rails-WITH-Trails approach that maintains active rail service while allowing for recreational and industrial use.

As local leaders weigh their options, they should consider the hard lessons learned by other communities that dismantled their rail lines, only to regret it years later. Northern Virginia’s efforts to revive the Orange & Alexandria (O&A) line after decades of lost rail service stand as a cautionary tale. Additionally, successful freight rail revitalization projects across the country demonstrate how preserving rail infrastructure benefits local industries and economic growth. Shenandoah County is in dire need to revitalize it’s industrial community to help ease the tax burdens on citizens. 

The Orange and Alexandria Railroad was a key transportation artery in Virginia from the time it was chartered in 1848. The line, which stretched from Alexandria to Gordonsville, facilitated commerce and played a crucial role in military logistics during the Civil War.

Despite its historical significance and economic utility, rail service on the line was discontinued in 1968. Just six years later, local officials opted to remove the tracks entirely, converting the corridor into the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail, a recreational path for cyclists and pedestrians. The final section of the trail was completed in 2001, cementing Northern Virginia’s decision to prioritize leisure over transit.

Now, as traffic congestion worsens and sustainable transportation options become increasingly necessary, advocates are calling for the revival of commuter rail along the O&A corridor. However, after nearly five decades of lost rail service, reconstructing and repurposing the line for transit is an uphill battle, requiring substantial investment and planning.

This predicament offers a valuable lesson to Shenandoah County: once rail service is gone, bringing it back is far more difficult and expensive than preserving it in the first place.

If it happens, Shenandoah County would not be the first to second-guess its rail-to-trail conversion. Across the United States, cities and counties have dismantled rail infrastructure, only to later realize its long-term value.

Seattle, Washington: The Eastside Rail Corridor was removed in favor of a trail. However, years later, officials found themselves reconsidering whether rail should have remained part of the infrastructure as congestion increased and demand for transit grew. Maryland’s Purple Line: The Capital Crescent Trail was built on a former rail line, but as public transit needs surged, the state had to reclaim portions of the corridor to construct the Purple Line light rail project, leading to delays, controversy, and skyrocketing costs.

Boston, Massachusetts: Several rail trails were developed in place of abandoned freight corridors. Today, local leaders are debating whether portions of these paths should be converted back into rail lines to enhance commuter rail capacity.

These examples illustrate the hidden consequences of removing rail service & the loss of economic opportunity, increased traffic congestion, and expensive reconstruction efforts years later.

Beyond commuter transit, revitalized freight rail lines have helped communities across the country reinvigorate local industries. Investing in rail can support manufacturing, agriculture, and logistics by providing businesses with cost-effective transportation solutions.

As industrial demand resurged for example, in Virginia, the Old Dominion Freight Line benefited from enhanced freight rail service, improving shipping capacity for manufacturers and logistics firms.

ArcBest Freight Expansion: ArcBest, a leading logistics provider, saw economic benefits from rail investment, which allowed industries to move goods efficiently and reduce supply chain disruptions.

FedEx Freight Investments: By optimizing freight rail service, FedEx Freight streamlined operations and expanded capacity for commercial shipping, demonstrating the value of modernizing freight infrastructure.

Shenandoah County’s economy—particularly agriculture and trans loading services, relies on efficient transportation networks. Preserving active rail service can help local businesses thrive, offering long-term economic benefits that a single-use recreational trail cannot match.

Shenandoah County has an opportunity to adopt a Rails-WITH-Trails model, providing freight & recreational service  while developing a parallel  path. This approach has been implemented successfully across the United States, preserving vital transportation infrastructure while accommodating outdoor activities.

A Rails-WITH-Trails solution offers numerous advantages:  Rail-based tourism through excursion trains and rail biking, attracting visitors while preserving history.  Freight service for local industries, supporting agriculture and logistics businesses.   Sustainable transportation, reducing reliance on congested roadways and decreasing environmental impact. 

It has the possibility to be an expanded economic opportunity, ensuring that Shenandoah County does not repeat the costly mistakes of other regions that dismantled rail service. 

The debate over Shenandoah County’s rail corridor extends beyond recreational interests—it is a decision that will shape the region’s transportation future and economic sustainability. While trails offer scenic beauty and outdoor enjoyment, they should not come at the expense of vital infrastructure. 

The costly lessons from Northern Virginia’s O&A restoration efforts and other failed rail-to-trail conversions should serve as a warning. Once tracks are removed, the process of reinstating rail service becomes exponentially more difficult, requiring extensive funding and bureaucratic negotiations.

Shenandoah County does not have to make the same mistake. By embracing Rails-WITH-Trails, the county can preserve its rail infrastructure while also creating valuable recreational opportunities. This forward-thinking approach ensures economic growth, transportation sustainability, and community development for generations to come.

Rail AND trail can coexist. The future of Shenandoah County depends on making the right choice today.