The decision gained media attention this spring in Abbeville, S.C., where a station was torn down despite preservationists alleging they had reached an agreement with the railroad. In May, local media outlets reported that a state preservation society had negotiated with the railroad for the depot to be preserved and moved if $50,000 could be raised for the depot’s preservation.
CSX officials argued those claims, saying the group indicated it could not meet those financial requirements. The end result was the demolishing of the 128-year-old station.
Since then, the railroad has torn down Chesapeake & Ohio-built interlocking towers at A Cabin in Alleghany, Va., and CW Cabin in Hinton, W.Va. The railroad also demolished the C&O Balcony Falls, Va., station.
When asked the railroad’s sudden motive to address these historic structures along its right-of-ways, the railroad issued the following statement. “CSX is committed to being a good neighbor to the communities where we operate. In line with that commitment, we work to identify safety issues or nuisance concerns on railroad property, including vacant buildings with structural issues and overgrown vegetation,” the railroad says.
The railroad says it considers the unique challenge each property brings. “CSX is committed to keeping stakeholders informed about these decisions and working with them to balance the critical need for safety with the interests of historic preservation groups.”
When asked if the railroad had a specific list of buildings it plans to tear down this year, the railroad said that it addresses these situations on a case-by-case basis.
