| With this city growing the way it is, it would not be out of the question to eventually run commuter trains to D.C. or Baltimore and by going south to Staunton where they can catch Amtrak or a commuter to Charlottesville and Richmond, VA. The track is already there. The line south is still in use to Pleasant Valley, about 3 miles. From there the DVGR runs transfers to and from Staunton, about 20 miles. The CHW uses the old Southern line to the north and stretches maybe 25-30 miles to Mt. Jackson. Actually that line continues to Front Royal and from there they head east to Alexandra, VA. The whole line is probably 120-140 miles one way. The problem is a trestle north of Mt. Jackson which was or is in need of some costly repair. I guess NS considered the line from a freight point of view and decided that it was not worth the expense. Harrisonburg's population was roughly 16K and some change in 1980 and in 30 years we've grown to 70-75K. Small towns, 6-12 miles away are not so far away any more with all of the land development that continues. We are about 2 hrs. away from Washington and Richmond and many of the small towns and county's are growing because of folks moving out from the city and suburbs electing to commute in exchange for the peace and quiet as well as the beauty of the Valley and her mountains. This very line north, passes through all of these towns and county's. |