 From the beginning of its existence through February 19, 1991, the railroad had but one purpose — to bring loads of coal from the mines of Preston County to the B&O interchange at Tunnelton for shipment to points far removed from the mountains of Appalachia.Until the late 1980s West Virginia Northern crews could be found somewhere along its roller coaster route switching its numerous coal tipples.The line became a tourist railroad in August 1994, operated by Kingwood Northern, Inc.