Shenandoah Rail Trail

05/13/2026

We LOVE Shenandoah County and Fort Valley! Look at this amazing aerial view.

05/12/2026

Why is rehabilitating the rail alongside the trail complicated, expensive, and has a greater impact? Don't take our word for it. Check out VDOT's study. https://www.vdot.virginia.gov/projects/staunton-district/rockingham-shenandoah-and-warren-counties---shenandoah-valley-rail-with-trail-assessment/

05/12/2026

A detailed economic model for the three-county region is used to estimate the significant, regional economic impacts expected from the SRT. The key findings of this analysis are: https://www.shenandoahrailtrail.org/economic-impact

• The new spending in the region of out-of-region users of the Shenandoah Rail Trail is projected to be $35.1 million (in 2025 dollars) annually when the trail is assumed to be fully opened in 2030. This is a measure of the increased sales of retailers, restaurants, hotels and motels and other local businesses in the region. For perspective, this is a 7% increase in the projected level of tourist-industry sales without the new trail.

• Total annual value added from the new regional economic activity is estimated to be $18.7 million a year in 2030. Value added is the broadest measure of the region’s economy (equal to total sales minus business purchases from other firms).

• The new regional economic activity is expected to generate 321 new jobs in 2030. The largest number of jobs will be in tourist-related businesses including restaurants, hotels and motels, and retail stores.

• The expanded local economy will generate substantial new income for business employees, the self-employed and unincorporated businesses. This additional annual “labor income” is estimated to be $10.6 million in 2030.

• The expanded regional economy will generate higher annual tax revenue for both state and local governments. In 2030, the additional tax revenue is estimated to be $2.7 million ($1.8 million for counties, $0.2 million for towns, and $0.7 million for the state).

• The additional tax revenue for counties and towns ($2.0 million) should be significantly higher than the expected annual, on-going costs of maintaining and operating the Shenandoah Rail Trail.

05/11/2026

Why is it so expensive to rehabilitate the railroad? Bridges are one of the reasons. Take a look at VDOT's inspection for yourself.

05/11/2026

Take the survey for a TRAIL: bit.ly/VDOT-Survey
"For the better part of 10 years, a large group of local officials, outdoor recreational enthusiasts, and local business folks has been developing the concept of the Shenandoah Rail Trail, a 49-mile path along the now-defunct corridor of the railroad that began life more than 175 years ago as the Manassas Gap Railroad.

Throughout the years, the rail line along the corridor played an important role not only during the four years of the Civil War but also over the more than 170 years when people and goods moved in and out of the Valley. However, just like everywhere else, transportation methods changed. Passenger service ended in 1948. The freight service disappeared section by section, until the last remaining segment ceased operations in 2016.

Since then, the rail infrastructure has crumbled. In many places, railroad ties no longer exist, and trees grow through tracks. Now is an opportunity to preserve the entire corridor and its 175-year history by bringing it back into service as an uninterrupted linear pedestrian and cyclist trail, while simultaneously protecting and preserving the physical evidence of the railroad’s 175-year story."

Back in the 1960s, America was undergoing a transportation revolution. The nation, which had been built upon and connected by rail for more than a century, had fallen in love

05/09/2026

Take the survey before is classes on May 13: bit.ly/VDOT-Survey

Speak up for the most fiscally responsible, least complicated, most practical option that can be constructed in the least time to benefit the most people.

05/08/2026

9 towns and 3 counties coming together to support the Shenandoah Rail Trail.

05/07/2026

Quality of life. Economic development. Tourism. Health. Transportation. The reasons for the Shenandoah Rail Trail just keep growing!

05/01/2026

The King and Queen took the VDOT survey. Did you? https://bit.ly/VDOT-Survey

We're so glad the Royals took a look at the future Shenandoah Rail Trail in Front Royal Today! 😉