Whitewater Valley Railroad

Whitewater Valley Railroad 1972-present

The present Whitewater Valley Railroad was formed as a not-for-profit corporation in 1972, and began weekend passenger operations in 1974 on 25 miles of leased Penn Central track between Connersville and Brookville. After a substantial washout closed the track between Metamora and Brookville in 1974, Penn Central lifted 4 miles of track in 1976. The remaining 18 miles of line from Connersville through Metamora were formally purchased by the Whitewater Valley in 1983, followed later by an additional mile of track in Connersville. Operations have always been entirely by volunteers, supplemented by a paid office manager.

Track upgrading has been assisted by matching grants, totalling over one million dollars since 1994. The railroad operates historically significant diesel locomotives and open window coaches on a regular schedule, from Connersville to Metamora. Another WVRR train comprised of a locomotive and one or two coaches operates as the Metamora Shuttle, carrying passengers further South on a two-mile excursion along the restored canal, past the Canal Boat dock, a working aquaduct, and a restored lock.

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