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Biking the Former Hocking Valley Railway

 

Last Saturday, I had the opportunity to bike the former Hocking Valley Railroad River Division (HV) near Gallipolis, Ohio. The Gallia County Hike and Bike Trail was completed from Logan to Gallipolis in October 1880 for the HV. The tracks were abandoned in 1992 and dismantled a year later.

 

The trail begins at Mill Creek Road in Gallipolis. A bridge once existed, but was filled in. There is no connection to the trail, so have a good time biking up and down this grassy hill!

 

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The long abandoned freight depot at Gallipolis.

 

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The Little Chickamaunga Creek plate girder north of Gallipolis was built in 1903 by the Mt. Vernon Bridge Company of Mt. Vernon, Ohio. It replaced the original 1880 span.

 

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The Chickamauga Creek crossing north of Gallipolis is of the same year and maker.

 

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The trail at the US 35 freeway.

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The rail-to-trail ends near the US 35 freeway, but continues again from Kerr to Bidwell.

 

A former factory in Kerr that was served by the railroad.

 

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These are further north past Minerton and were taken during the winter, but show the excellent condition of the right-of-way and tunnels that would make for an ideal rail-to-trail.

 

Campbell Tunnel

 

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Eagle Tunnel

 

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Thanks!

"You don't just walk into a bar and mix it up by calling a girl fat" - buildingcincinnati speaking about new forumers

Great SE rural infrastructure stuff.  Love it.

  • 7 months later...

Great pics! Thanks for sharing and answering a few things I was wondering - mainly what remains. I am currently reading a book on the history of the Hocking Valley Railroad and just finished the chapter on this line last night. Only two tunnels on the system.

 

Hoping to go down that way this summer and check it out in person.  8-)

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