October 26, 2018

Manchin Applauds Another Great Hinton Railroad Festival

Charleston, WV – U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) applauded another successful Hinton Railroad Days Festival. The annual festival is hosted by the Collis P. Huntington Railroad Historical Society, a 59-year old non-profit organization that operates private railroad cars through Amtrak.

This April, Amtrak announced it would no longer accept private and charter trains, which the Collis P. Huntington Railroad Historical Society uses for the Hinton Railroad Days Festival. After bringing together Amtrak and the Collis P. Huntington Society to explain the adverse impact this new policy would have on West Virginia communities, Senator Manchin helped broker a deal to continue providing service for the Hinton Railroad Days Festival.

“I’m so glad the Collis P. Huntington Railroad Historical Society had another great and successful Hinton Railroad Days Festival. Every year, the New River Train adds an estimated $5 million to West Virginia’s economy. When Amtrak announced they would be ending the services, I brought both parties together to ensure that we would not lose the New River Train.  Since then, I have kept in touch with both parties and included language in this year’s Transportation Appropriations bill to make sure that Collis P. Huntington can stay open this year and beyond.  Hundreds of thousands of West Virginians and people from out of state enjoy this festival every year, and I will continue to work to make sure that it goes on for years to come.  I hope the last of the festival weekend is enjoyable and happy for all,” Senator Manchin said.

###