Boyce and Berryville VA Railfan Guide

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BOYCE and BERRYVILLE VA

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Tucked away in the northern end of the state are two small towns, which offer the railfan a quick diversion if they are travelling through the area on US 340. US 340 is used as a shortcut by the locals to get between I70 and I81 much more quickly than going through Hagerstown. Boyce and Berryville are about 6 miles apart.

Boyce has a depot and Berryville still has a couple of CPL signals on a bracket post, which are the only ones I know of on this former Norfolk and Western line. I stand corrected, as I have received reports that there are still a few other CPL locations at interlockings, such as Shenandoah Junction, Charlestown, and Shepardstown!! Thanks to Dan Cupper, Mike True, and Jon Roma for the info! Mike also adds that many, if not most of the intermediate signals have been removed between Roanoke and Hagerstown, with signals mostly at the interlockings. Although they are way out of this area, Jim Pickett also reports that there are still several N&W CPL's at the junction of the old (Twelve Pole) and new (Big Sandy) lines in Kenova WV, AND, there are also two near Hanging Rock OH west of Ironton (lots still in and around Roanoke VA and Bellevue OH too).

Other noteworthy railroad things around these here parts:
-- the Winchester and Western Railroad operates between Winchester and Gore (to the west by about 11 miles)
-- the tunnels at Harper Ferry
-- CSX runs along the "valley" N/S along with I-81 and US11 out of Hagerstown
-- and your close to the central part of Maryland for lots of railfanning action, check my central MD pages at:
Click here for the guide and index page to the central Maryland area,
     Click here for the guide to Brunswick MD
     Click here for the guide to Frederick MD
     Click here for the guide to Harpers Ferry WV
     Click here for the guide to Mt Airy MD
   Click here for the guide to Point of Rocks MD

The picture above was taken by Glenn Anderson at the siding in Berryville, on July 5th, 2009. The deadhead train was headed on it's way to Norfolk VA from Altoona to pick up executives for a one week tour of WV, VA, and OH. Photo used with Mr. Anderson's permission... thanks!
More of his great pictures at: http://www.railpictures.net/showphotos.php?userid=12360
And this picture in particular for the details at: http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=291925&nseq=6

Getting here

There are a number of paths to take in getting here. Despite the rural location, it's not too bad a trip to get here.

From the Baltimore area, or the I95 corridor that comes thru Baltimore, go around the 695 Beltway to I70 and head out on it to Frederick (you can only go one way on it, as I70 ends at the Beltway). In Frederick, head south on US340 (exit 53). US340 will take you through Harpers Ferry, and around Charlestown using the bypass they finished about 3 years ago. Berryville is about 38 miles from Frederick.

From the west, coming in on I70, take I81 south in Hagerstown (exit 26), and take it down to the Winchester exit 315. Then head east on VA7 (it's Berryville Pike in Winchester) for about 6 to 7 miles and that will put you in Berryville. The CSX tracks in Winchester are a little over a mile going west from exit 315. Berryville is about 41 miles from Hagerstown at the 81/70 junction.

From the south, on I81, again, take exit 315 and head east on VA7. If you want to hit Boyce first, I would suggest you take exit 307, which puts you on VA277, and head east (a right at the top of the exit ramp). In a few miles, at the Dinosaur place on your right, you will meet up with US340 and cross US522 (which, if you go north on long enough, will take you to the East Broad Top :-)

Map of the area from Google.

1 The Boyce Depot

The depot sits at milepost H-46.1, and was completed in 1913. The towns people were dissatisfied wit the plans the Norfolk and Western presented to them, so they helped the railroad out to a bigger and better station, by giving he railroad additional money. The size is roughly 142' x 26'. The depot is presently the home of the Railway Mail Service Library. For much more info, go to: http://www.railwaymailservicelibrary.org/boyce/boyce.htm

1 Berryville "John H. Enders" Volunteer Fire Company

2 Boyce Volunteer Fire Company

Boyce Grade Crossing at Millwood

The "no left turn" type lights are becoming rarer and rarer, just like the N&W CPL's.

Boyce Grade Crossing at Old Chapel

The same type of "no left turn" signal is at this crossing.

2
This one is out in the middle of a field off Woodly, haven't had the time to go for a walk.....

This aerial shot and maps are from Google maps.

The signals at location 4, are for SB traffic coming from Hagerstown, and control the interlocking point where the tracks go down to a single main. They are the only N&W CPL's still left in the immediate area, get pictures of them before they disappear.