ELKINS, W.Va. – The Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad, which operates the Cheat Mountain Salamander, has canceled the rest of those runs this year.
In a post on its website and in a telephone message, the company explained the situation.
“Due to an accident that occurred on October 11, 2013, involving an out of control logging truck, which slammed our Cheat Mountain Salamander train, while the train was moving through a lighted crossing, the Cheat Mountain Salamander will not be in operation for the remainder of the season.”
The driver of the logging truck, Danny Lee Kimble, Sr. of Frank, was killed in the crash which happened at a rail road crossing on Route 250 near the Randolph/Pocahontas County line Friday afternoon.
More than 20 people were treated for injuries and four passengers remain in the hospital.
MetroNews contacted the Durbin & Greenbrier Valley Railroad, however the company declined to comment on the accident.
However, it did say it’s calling everyone with a reservation on future Salamander excursions to tell them about the accident and how they can receive a refund or book a trip on another train.
As for those who have reservations with the company on different trains, they are still a go.
According to the message, “All of our other trains the New Tygart Flyer, the Mountain Explorer dinner train, the Durbin Rocket, Castaway Caboose and the Polar Express, were not effected by this incident and will be operating as scheduled.”
For more information, you can log on to www.mountainrailwv.com or call the company at 304-636-9477.