By Railfan & Railroad Staff

OmniTRAX took over West Virginia’s South Branch Valley Railroad on December 1.

The South Branch Valley operates on 52.4 miles of former Baltimore & Ohio track between Green Springs and Petersburg, W.Va. Since the 1970s, the line has been owned and operated by the West Virginia State Rail Authority. The South Branch Valley has used a fleet of EMDs in a B&O-inspired paint scheme. The line also hosts excursion trains operated by the Potomac Eagle.

“OmniTRAX delivers industry-leading safety and reliability, and we’re honored to have been selected to operate this important railroad for the Eastern Panhandle Region and the State of West Virginia,” said OmniTRAX CEO Dean Piacente. “OmniTRAX has a proven track record of being committed community partners that bring new jobs to the areas we serve. We are excited to bring that spirit of service to the Potomac Highlands communities and operate with the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railroad to make the SBVR thrive.”

SBVR is the 26th railroad to join OmniTRAX.