 In 1972 , the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad was merged into the Chessie System , which planned to close and abandon the South Branch line . The Romney spur through Depot Valley remained in service and was illustrated by the United States Geological Survey on its 1973 Romney Quadrangle topographic map . On October 11 , 1978 , the Chessie System transferred ownership of the South Branch line to the South Branch Valley Railroad , which in turn was owned and operated by the West Virginia State Rail Authority . During this transition , the Romney spur of the South Branch Valley Railroad was abandoned , after which all rail and commercial activity at Valley ceased . 
