WASHINGTON — Officials with Amtrak will meet with leaders of Hinton, Summers County and the Collis P. Huntington Railroad Society next week regarding efforts to save the New River Train service.
Amtrak announced last month it was ending special service and charter trains, putting the future of the Hinton Railroad Days — which has been held for 51 years — in jeopardy.
U.S. Rep. Evan Jenkins, R-W.Va., and Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., said in separate press releases it was they who made this meeting happen.
“When I spoke with Amtrak President Richard Anderson, I asked him to meet with West Virginians as soon as possible to resolve these issues and save the New River Train,” Jenkins said. Amtrak has been extremely cooperative and offered me a meeting on Tuesday with West Virginians to work out the logistics and answer any lingering questions.”
“Discontinuing the New River Train would have an especially hard-hitting effect in West Virginia, where we pride ourselves on showcasing our beautiful, hospitable state to visitors – and count on tourism to help keep our economy strong,” Manchin said. “Losing this service would take an estimated $5 million out of West Virginia’s economy. We simply cannot afford that. I will continue doing everything I can to fix this problem.”
The meeting will be held Tuesday.