in Elkins , DGVR operates offices in Belington , Durbin and Cass in Barbour , Randolph and Pocahontas counties . With more than 120 miles of rail , 90,000 visitors and more than $ 4 million in annual revenues , the DGVR combines historic rail travel with West Virginia ’ s rugged scenery to form a destination that appeals to broad audiences .
Situated within a single day ’ s drive from Washington , D . C .; Pittsburgh , PA ; Columbus , Ohio ; and anywhere throughout West Virginia , the railroad brings in a wide range of tourists looking to experience railroads , scenery and an array of special events that tie into railroad and local culture .
One example is the Elkins-based Polar Express holiday train . Beginning in early November and lasting into mid-December , the Polar Express brings more than 15,000 visitors into Elkins to experience reenactments from the children ’ s movie made famous by author Chris Van Allsburg . Families from a 250-mile radius of Elkins travel to West Virginia to experience Christmas cheer on a cozy passenger train .
Onboard actors and a visit from Santa personalize the experience for families , but more importantly , they create memories that keep them coming back each holiday season . The Polar Express results in overnight lodging in the Elkins and I-79 region , as well as family package options with area restaurants and shops . The holiday trains contribute to an annual economic impact of more than $ 29.5 million , according to a study conducted by DGVR in 2010 .
In 2015 , railroad operations expanded again when DGVR began operating the Cass Scenic Railroad . Since then , DGVR has transformed day trips to Cass into overnight accommodations where visitors can board a train in Cass or Elkins and spend the night in the opposite destination . As opposed to a single-day trip , this creates more revenue for the region in that the overnight package options provide lodging , theatre and other on-site activities . Instead of the trains being the destination , they serve as the transportation to the destination .
The rail tourism industry is constantly changing because the staff at DGVR is always looking for new ways to diversify and build customer value . They are currently rebuilding a rail line that will connect Cass and Durbin , and that new corridor , about 11 miles in length , will offer outdoor recreation opportunities and more overnight options . With customer choices and different activities at each location , the railroad creates a valuable destination that keeps visitors returning year after year .
Whether it ’ s a holiday-themed train in Elkins , an overnight camping trip on a caboose or a visit with the world ’ s largest collection of geared Shay steam locomotives , DGVR appeals to a wide range of audiences that appreciate local culture and West Virginia .
Hatfield McCoy Trail System
BY JEFFREY LUSK . When the Hatfield McCoy Trail System opened on Columbus Day in 2000 , very few people realized how the trails would change the economy and future of Southern West Virginia . Today , in celebration of the trail system ’ s success , Columbus Day weekend is celebrated in the town of Gilbert in Mingo County with its annual Hatfield-McCoy National Trail Fest . The event plays host to more than 2,000 ATV riders who converge on the town for a near weeklong event of trail riding , outdoor music and a lot of mudslinging fun .
In 2000 , the trail system opened with just over 300 miles of trails in two counties . On that opening day , Governor Cecil Underwood rode an ATV through the yellow ribbon at
Photo by Hatfield McCoy Trail System .
the beginning of the trails , followed by a dozen other riders . Was it possible that all the years of planning and hard work would pay off with a new tourism economy for Southern West Virginia ? That small processional , led by the governor , was a signal to the world that Southern West Virginia was open for visitors — specifically , the kind who ride ATVs — but would they actually come ? Almost 17 years later , the answer is a resounding yes . In fact , on most weekends , more of them want to come than there are beds , cabins , campsites and hotel rooms for .
The challenges the trail system faces today are far different than the initial challenges faced by this fledgling tourism destination . The first challenge was that the trail system had opened in very rural areas . The towns of Man and Matewan and the cities of Logan and Williamson were anchors for the new trails , and these locations had almost no lodging , very few restaurants and , outside of trail riding , no other developed tourism activities .
Despite these challenges , the growth of the trails exceeded everyone ’ s expectations . The caravans of trucks and SUVs towing trailers full of ATVs were enough to quiet even the greatest skeptic . The first full year of operations saw almost 4,000 riders visit the trail system , and in 2016 , that number grew to 39,352 .
The trail system now reaches out over five Southern West Virginia counties with more than 600 miles of trails , connecting 11 incorporated cities and towns . The latest economic impact study shows
WWW . WVEXECUTIVE . COM SUMMER 2017 85