Shared by Bob Flippen Education Specialist High Bridge Trail State Park, as Guest Blogger.

On July 15, 2015 High Bridge Trail State Park has an anniversary of sorts in that it marks ten years since the last train traversed High Bridge.

Engine 5098 entering Farmville, Virginia on July 15, 2005 for the last time

Ten Years after the Last Train Crossed High Bridge

It was a hot Friday on July 15, 2005 when a lone locomotive left Crewe yards headed to Farmville for the last local freight run. Norfolk Southern Corporation was soon to abandon its northern link to the mainline between Burkeville and Pamplin a route which was part of the original South Side Rail Road completed in 1854. The distinctive feature of the route is the High Bridge, a steel viaduct constructed in 1914 by the Virginia Bridge and Iron Company of Roanoke.

Active rail line, the pillars to the left still stand today

On this day, Norfolk Southern locomotive 5098 (model #6P38-2) was charged to make the run. It was nothing unusual as it had made this trip on countless occasions, but even it was nearing the end of its service having been built in 1973 and downgraded to making the local run.

As the lone engine approached High Bridge, some onlookers waved as if to say goodbye to an old friend and the locomotive paused briefly on the bridge for a photographer anxious to capture this historic moment. Below to the south side were the remaining brick piers of the original bridge standing in mute testimony to what was once regarded a man-made engineering marvel of the world.

Onlookers gather to see the last train past through Farmville on July 15, 2005

At 12:39 p.m. the engine was at SMI Rebar west of Farmville connecting its last cargo and an additional assist engine. Making the trip were Train Master Sam Grogans, Conductor Richard King, Engineer William Gatlin and Rob Chapman, a correspondent for The Farmville Herald.

A momentary stop was made in Farmville to pick up the conductor and Rob disembarked. As the train pulled out of sight and headed east Chapman noticed the people gathered searching for pennies placed on the rails in pursuit of a last souvenir and thought of the impact this rail line had on Farmville and the uncertainty of what it meant for the future.

The last train traverses High Bridge

Now a decade later, High Bridge Trail State Park continues that economic impact on Farmville by enticing over 200,000 visitors to the area and increasing each year.

See you on the Trail...