Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park

File:Washington and Old Dominion Trail, looking east; Arlington, VA; 2014-05-17.jpg|Looking east towards the start of the W&OD Trail in Arlington County (May 2014)

File:W&OD Trail east of Wiehle Avenue.jpg|The W&OD crushed bluestone bridle path just east of the junction with Wiehle Avenue (VA-828) in Reston, Virginia in August 2021.

File:2018-08-23 12 37 36 Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park map near the west end of the Washington and Old Dominion Trail in Purcellville, Loudoun County, Virginia.jpg|Marker at end of the W&OD Trail in Purcellville showing the trail's route (August 2018)

File:W&OD elevation.png|W&OD Trail Elevation Map (2008)

The W&OD Trail begins in the Nauck neighborhood near the Shirlington section of Arlington County, close to the boundary between the County and the City of Alexandria.{{cite web|url=https://www.bikearlington.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/bikearlington-bike-map_2019_FINAL-lo-res-1.pdf|title=Arlington County Bike Map|work=Bike Arlington|date=May 2019|publisher=Government of Arlington County, Virginia: Department of Environmental Services|access-date=May 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200608090631/https://www.bikearlington.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/bikearlington-bike-map_2019_FINAL-lo-res-1.pdf|archive-date=June 8, 2020|url-status=live}}Photographs and description of the area and markers at the W&OD Trail's trailhead:

• {{cite web|editor-last=Prats|editor-first=J.J.|url=http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=2406|title="Washington and Old Dominion Trail" marker|publisher=HMdb: The Historical Marker Database|access-date=December 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181229044615/https://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=2406|archive-date=December 29, 2018|url-status=live}} In {{cite web|url=http://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?SeriesID=18|title=Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series|publisher=HMdb: The Historical Marker Database|access-date=May 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512143000/https://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?SeriesID=18|archive-date=May 12, 2021|url-status=live}}
• Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority historical marker at trailhead of W&OD Trail: {{cite web|editor-last=Prats|editor-first=J.J.|title="Nauck: A Neighborhood History" marker|url=http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=2504|work=HMdb: The Historical Marker Database|access-date=December 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181229022838/https://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=2504|archive-date=December 29, 2018|url-status=live}} In {{cite web|url=http://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?SeriesID=18|title=Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series|publisher=HMdb: The Historical Marker Database|access-date=May 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512143000/https://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?SeriesID=18|archive-date=May 12, 2021|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|url=https://www.hmdb.org/Photos/7/Photo7052o.jpg|first=Roger Dean (photographer)|last=Meyer|title=Three Markers at the Washington & Old Dominion Trailhead|work=Washington and Old Dominion Trail|format=photograph|date=September 9, 2007|publisher=HMdb: The Historical Marker Database|access-date=December 25, 2018|quote=The three markers include Nauck: A Neighborhood History, Tracks Into History and Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Trail.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170529164733/http://www.hmdb.org/Photos/7/Photo7052o.jpg|archive-date=May 29, 2017|url-status=live}} In {{cite web|url=http://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?SeriesID=18|title=Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series|publisher=HMdb: The Historical Marker Database|access-date=May 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512143000/https://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?SeriesID=18|archive-date=May 12, 2021|url-status=live}}
• Coordinates of W&OD Trail trailhead: {{coord|38.844269|-77.085878|type:landmark|format=dms|name=W&OD Trail trailhead}} The trail ends in Purcellville in western Loudoun County. Its route largely parallels the routes of the Potomac River and Virginia State Route 7 (VA 7).{{cite web|url=https://www.novaparks.com/sites/default/files/maps/WODMap.pdf|title=Map of the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Trail|publisher=NOVA Parks|access-date=September 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929162927/https://www.novaparks.com/sites/default/files/maps/WODMap.pdf|archive-date=September 29, 2017|url-status=live}}

The trail connects at its origin to the paved Four Mile Run Trail, which travels eastward through Arlington along a stream embankment to meet the Mount Vernon Trail at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, near the Potomac River.Announcement of May 30, 2009, ribbon-cutting ceremony commemorating the completion of a trail extension linking the W&OD Trail at its origin with the Four Mile Run Trail: {{cite web|url=http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/Communications/PressReleases/page70290.aspx|date=May 26, 2009|title=Arlington Enhances Scenic Four Mile Run Trail with New Extension: Ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate safety and aesthetic improvements|work=News Release|publisher= Government of Arlington County, Virginia|access-date=May 28, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090529181602/http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/Communications/PressReleases/page70290.aspx|archive-date=May 29, 2009}} The start of the trail is also accessible from the Shirlington exit (Exit 6) of Interstate 395 (I-395) (the Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway).Coordinates of W&OD Trail trailhead: {{coord|38.844269|-77.085878|scale:10000|format=dms|name=W&OD Trail trailhead}}

File:W&OD Trail Glencarlyn Park 1st crossing 2020.jpg Park south of Arlington Boulevard (U.S. Route 50) (July 2020)]]The trail parallels the more curving and hilly Four Mile Run Trail throughout its route in Arlington.{{cite web |url=http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/EnvironmentalServices/dot/planning/bike/images/11x17_05.pdf |title=W&OD TRAIL and FOUR MILE RUN TRAIL|work=Arlington County 2005 Small Bike Map|publisher=Arlington County Department of Environmental Services |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060614213237/http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/EnvironmentalServices/dot/planning/bike/images/11x17_05.pdf|archive-date=June 14, 2006|access-date=June 11, 2008}} Although they coincide in several locations, the two trails generally travel on opposite sides of the Run. There are no restrooms and few water fountains alongside the W&OD Trail in the County. Restrooms and additional water fountains are available near ball fields and picnic areas along the Four Mile Run Trail.

The W&OD Trail's trailhead (Mile 0) is at the intersection of South Shirlington Road and South Four Mile Run Drive. The trail starts in the Atlantic Coastal Plain at the trail's lowest elevation: {{convert|72|ft|m|0}} above sea level.W&OD Trail locations, distances and elevations in detailed maps of portions of the W&OD Trail accessed from {{cite web|url=http://www.wodfriends.org/maps/MainMap.html|title=Location of the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Trail|publisher=The Friends of the Washington & Old Dominion Trail|access-date=March 7, 2021|archive-date=July 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200713040530/http://www.wodfriends.org/maps/MainMap.html}}.File:Wash-andODtraill-sign015.JPG

The trail climbs {{convert|213|ft|m|0}} in {{convert|5.8|mi|km|1}} while traveling northwest through Arlington County. While in Arlington, the trail ascends through the Atlantic Seaboard fall line while climbing upstream in the valley of Four Mile Run. The trail crosses the Run seven times in the valley on bridges whose abutments were constructed before the Civil War by the Alexandria, Loudoun & Hampshire Railroad, a predecessor of the W&OD Railroad.

After crossing Columbia Pike (VA 244), the trail enters a steeply-sloped woodland that covers both sides of the valley. The trail crosses under Arlington Boulevard (U.S. Route 50) while within the woodland.

Near the end of the woodland, the trail intersects the Bluemont Junction Trail, a {{convert|1.3|mile|km|1}} long paved rail trail that travels to Ballston on the bed of a former W&OD Railroad branch that once ran to Rosslyn and Georgetown. {{convert|0.6|mi|1}} past that intersection, the W&OD Trail intersects the Custis Trail, a {{convert|4.5|mi|km|1}} long paved shared use path that travels along Interstate 66 (I-66) (the Custis Memorial Parkway) to Rosslyn and which provides access to Washington, D.C. and the northern end of the Mount Vernon Trail.

After crossing its intersection with the Custis Trail, the W&OD Trail travels northwest near an I-66 soundwall for most of its remaining course in Arlington. After crossing under North Sycamore Street next to Four Mile Run, the W&OD Trail crosses over the Run and passes the East Falls Church station on Washington Metro's Orange and Silver Lines.

After leaving the fall line, the W&OD Trail enters the Piedmont plateau region near the west corner of the County. The trail continues to climb in the Piedmont while traveling northwest through the City of Falls Church and Fairfax County.

The trail reaches an elevation of {{convert|489|ft}} at its crossing of I-66 in Fairfax County. When it reaches this point, the trail has risen {{convert|417|ft}} while traveling {{convert|8.4|mi}}.File:W&OD Trail Difficult Run crossing 2020a.jpg

After crossing over I-495 (the Capital Beltway) on a trail bridge and passing Dunn Loring, the trail begins a long descent as it travels through Vienna. After leaving Vienna, the trail continues to descend until it reaches Mile 14, where its elevation of {{convert|242|ft}} is only {{convert|170|ft}} higher than is its elevation at the trail's origin.

After the trail crosses Difficult Run (Mile 14.3), it ascends and descends between additional streams (including Sugarland Run, Broad Run, Beaverdam Run, Goose Creek, Sycolin Creek and Tuscarora Creek) as it travels further northwest in the Piedmont through or near Reston, Herndon, Sterling, Ashburn, and Leesburg. While traveling through Reston, the trail crosses Wiehle Avenue (VA 828), {{convert|0.3|mi|km|1}} northeast of the Wiehle–Reston East station on Washington Metro's Silver Line.Multiple sources:

• {{cite web|url=https://wmata.com/rider-guide/stations/upload/evacuation/Wiehle-Reston_EVAC%20Map_FINAL.pdf|title=Station Vicinity Map: Wiehle-Reston East|publisher=Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority|access-date=September 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929232307/https://wmata.com/rider-guide/stations/upload/evacuation/Wiehle-Reston_EVAC%20Map_FINAL.pdf|archive-date=September 29, 2017|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/riding-the-rails-to-trails-metro-offers-a-car-free-path-to-the-great-outdoors/2014/08/14/910dddf2-1f31-11e4-ae54-0cfe1f974f8a_story.html|title=Riding the rails to trails: Metro offers a car-free path to the great outdoors|first=Stephanie|last=Merry|date=August 14, 2014|work=Going Out Guide|publisher=The Washington Post|access-date=September 29, 2017|quote=Once you get to the Wiehle-Reston East stop, take the North exit, which guides you toward Reston Station Boulevard. Walk toward Wiehle Road and take a left, then cross over Sunset Hills Road. Once you see the Pizza Hut, you know you've arrived. .... (Note: Wiehle is a busy road and not particularly bike-friendly, but it's a short, manageable distance from the station to the trail to walk your bike on the sidewalk.)|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929194759/https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/riding-the-rails-to-trails-metro-offers-a-car-free-path-to-the-great-outdoors/2014/08/14/910dddf2-1f31-11e4-ae54-0cfe1f974f8a_story.html|archive-date=September 29, 2017|url-status=live}}File:W&OD Trail - A view of the Goose Creek from a bridge on the trail.JPG

When crossing Tuscarora Creek in Leesburg, the trail's elevation of {{convert|315|ft}} is only {{convert|2|ft}} higher than the highest elevation {{convert|313|ft}} that it reached in Arlington. After crossing that stream, the trail climbs northwest in {{convert|6.0|mi}} to reach its highest elevation ({{convert|606|ft}}) while traveling on a bridge carrying VA 9 (Charles Town Pike) over VA 7 near the saddle point of Clarke's Gap in Catoctin Mountain.[http://www.topoquest.com/map.php?lat=39.140925&lon=-77.612389&datum=nad83&zoom=4 U.S. Geological Survey topographic map of Clarks Gap] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012051002/http://www.topoquest.com/map.php?lat=39.140925&lon=-77.612389&datum=nad83&zoom=4 |date=October 12, 2012 }} from website of [http://www.topoquest.com/ TopoQuest] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920000818/http://www.topoquest.com/ |date=September 20, 2008 }}. Accessed October 8, 2009. {{convert|0.3|mi}} before this crossing, the trail travels under an old stone arch that formerly carried VA 7 over the W&OD Railroad.

The trail then turns west, descends through Paeonian Springs to Hamilton Station and climbs to reach Purcellville. When the trail terminates in Purcellville, its elevation is {{convert|513|ft|m|0}} above sea level.

When the W&OD Railroad closed in 1968, its {{convert|100|ft|m|1}} wide right-of-way extended from Potomac Yard in Alexandria to the center of Purcellville. In October 1968, the Virginia State Highway Department started condemnation proceedings to acquire the right-of-way, which was eventually donated to the state, where it crossed Shirley Highway. The section where it crossed the future Interstate 66 was also donated.{{cite news |last1=Green |first1=Stephen |title=Virginia Road Unit Buys Hot Shoppes at Twin Bridges |work=The Evening Star |date=5 October 1968}} In the same year that the railroad closed, the land that lay west of the Alexandria/Arlington boundary was sold for $4.91 million to Virginia Electric and Power Company (VEPCO) (part of which was incorporated into Dominion Energy in 2000){{cite web|url=http://www.dom.com/about/history.jsp |title=Dominion History: Rebranding of Dominion |work=About Dominion|publisher=Dominion Resources |year=2012 |access-date=June 13, 2012 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080914083205/http://www.dom.com/about/history.jsp |archive-date=September 14, 2008}} for power line right-of-way.{{cite news |title=Real Estate Transfers in Northern Virginia |work=Northern Virginia Sun |date=29 October 1968}} Also in 1968, the Town of Vienna rejected a proposal to ask the State Highway Commission to add the railroad ROW to the urban road system for Northern Virginia and instead sought to purchase the ROW and include part of it in the new Northside Park.{{cite news |last1=Herbut |first1=Paula |title=New Vienna Park Plan is Approved |url=https://virginiachronicle.com/?a=d&d=NVS19681105.1.1&e=23-08-1968-01-01-1972--en-20--101--txt-txIN-%22W%26OD%22------- |access-date=26 January 2024 |work=Northern Virginia Sun |date=5 November 1968}} In 1969, Vienna asked VEPCO to give them the ROW through town.{{cite news |last1=Walsh |first1=Kenneth T. |title=Town Asks Who Was Beulah |url=https://virginiachronicle.com/?a=d&d=NVS19690506.1.1&e=23-08-1968-01-01-1972--en-20--141--txt-txIN-%22W%26OD%22------- |access-date=29 January 2024 |work=Northern Virginia Sun |date=6 May 1969}}

In 1971, voters in Fairfax County approved a $35 million park bond referendum that was to be used in part to buy the W&OD right of way in the county and buy another 590 acres of land along the route for campgrounds and picnic areas (but due to slow negotiations with VEPCO, that money was spent elsewhere).{{cite news |last1=Love |first1=Thomas |title=Cyclists Say They're Due 1 Bike Trail |work=The Evening Star |date=12 February 1975}} In 1972, voters approved the construction of a trail, then called "The Virginia Creeper," along the right-of way.{{cite news |last1=Stone |first1=Sue |title=Beltway Railroad Bridge To Go Down; But Will It Go Back Up? |url=https://virginiachronicle.com/?a=d&d=NVS19740412.1.1&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN-------- |access-date=7 September 2023 |work=Northern Virginia Sun |date=12 April 1974}}

In 1973 a study of the right-of-way proposed using it for a linear park.{{cite news |last1=Beck |first1=Jody |title=The Trail of a Broken Dream |work=The Evening Star |date=7 October 1976}}

The first portion of the W&OD Trail opened in 1974 within the City of Falls Church under a lease agreement between the City government, the power company VEPCO and the NVRPA.{{Cite web |url=http://www.scc.virginia.gov/docketsearch/DOCS/198p01!.PDF |title=Harwood, p. 108. |access-date=September 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928181826/http://www.scc.virginia.gov/docketsearch/DOCS/198p01!.PDF |archive-date=September 28, 2017 |url-status=live}} It extended from Little Falls Street to Railroad Avenue. By late 1976 a second, 1-mile long section opened in Vienna - again with permission from VEPCO. As the {{convert|1.5|mi|km|1}} trails proved to be popular, the NVRPA and Fairfax County proposed building a 7.5 mile long trail to connect them as part of a Bicentennial project but VEPCO refused to give the land away, lease it for a $1 a year or sell it in pieces; instead it wanted sell the whole piece of property at once.

After the state legislature passed a unanimous resolution in favor of the trail, and promised oversight of VEPCO, the impasse was overcome.{{cite news |last1=Beck |first1=Jody |title=Fairfax Supervisors Take Us a Step Closer to 42 Mile Bike Path |work=The Evening Star |date=29 March 1977}} VEPCO agreed to sell the entire right-of-way to NVRPA on December 19, 1977 for $3.6 million, allowing regular purchases of it between 1978 and 1982; and Fairfax County voters passed another $51.1 million bond referendum that included money to pay for it.Multiple sources:

• {{cite news |last1=Hodge |first1=Paul|date=December 22, 1977|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1977/12/22/hiking-and-biking-on-the-virginia-creeper/8b76a660-c0db-47c2-a57f-c23b149b9585/|title=Hiking and Biking on the 'Virginia Creeper'|department=Local|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=December 25, 2020}}
• {{cite web|url=http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=2406|title="Washington and Old Dominion Trail" marker|publisher=HMdb: The Historical Marker Database|access-date=March 28, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071110153448/http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=2406|archive-date=November 10, 2007|url-status=live}} In {{cite web|url=http://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?SeriesID=18|title="Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series|publisher=HMdb: The Historical Marker Database|access-date=May 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512143000/https://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?SeriesID=18|archive-date=May 12, 2021|url-status=live}} The power company retained an easement that permitted the company to maintain its lines and to extend them along the right-of-way if needed.

The NVRPA was not able to acquire from the power company the portion of the right-of-way that lay within the City of Alexandria. The NVRPA also could not acquire the portion of right-of-way that the highway department had retained for construction of I-66 near East Falls Church in Arlington and various portions of the right-of-way that contained existing or potential highway crossings.

The NVRPA extended the trail east and west of Falls Church as it acquired portions of the right-of-way until it stretched from Alexandria to Purcellville.{{Cite web|url=http://www.scc.virginia.gov/docketsearch/DOCS/198p01!.PDF |title=Harwood, p. 109. |access-date=September 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928181826/http://www.scc.virginia.gov/docketsearch/DOCS/198p01!.PDF |archive-date=September 28, 2017 |url-status=live }} In 1979, the trail was extended {{convert|26|mi|km|0}} westward from Falls Church to Goose Creek with the aid of a federal Rails-to-Trails grant, although it was only paved as far as Maple Avenue East (VA Route 123) in Vienna - a distance of {{convert|6|mi|km|0}}; and by 1979 Fairfax County had built Buckthorn Lane on a raised area across the right-of-way, forcing the trail to leave the ROW and climb up to the road.{{cite news |last1=Hodge |first1=Paul|title=Grant Money To Benefit Bikers, Hikers|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=April 27, 1978}} Beyond that it was only suitable for hiking.{{cite news |last1=Hodge|first1=Paul|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1979/10/18/trail-blazers/e7f5963d-5eaa-477d-b695-ec05060b224d/|title=Trail Blazers|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=October 18, 1979|access-date=December 25, 2020}}

In 1981, the NVRPA paved the trail from Vienna to Herndon. During the same year, the NVRPA also converted a section {{convert|12|mi|km|0}} long from Herndon to Leesburg from a hiking trail to a gravel path.{{cite news |last1=Hodge |first1=Paul |title=Happy Trails!: Park Service Throws a Party To Celebrate Upgraded Bike Path: Popular Bike Path Gets a New Face Lift |newspaper=The Washington Post|date=May 7, 1981}}

In 1982, the NVRPA completed a trail underpass at U.S. 15 (Leesburg Bypass) east of Leesburg, increasing the trail's total distance to over {{convert|30|mi|km|0}}. The trail's route west of Leesburg remained accessible only by foot.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1982/09/22/major-extensions-of-bike-trail-to-be-celebrated/63db2c05-07d7-4e35-8866-8ebf97ea7525|title=Major Extensions Of Bike Trail To Be Celebrated|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=September 22, 1982|access-date=December 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224032433/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1982/09/22/major-extensions-of-bike-trail-to-be-celebrated/63db2c05-07d7-4e35-8866-8ebf97ea7525|archive-date=December 24, 2018|url-status=live}}

Also in 1982, the trail was extended and paved eastward from Little Falls Street in Falls Church to Patrick Henry Drive in Arlington as part of the construction of I-66.{{cite news|last1=Hodge|first1=Paul|title=$2.5-Million Bicycle Path Along I-66 Wins Praise|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1982/12/22/25-million-bicycle-path-along-i-66-wins-praise/83a99cb5-edd0-4a4e-adc9-8399b78e2394/|access-date=June 14, 2017|date=December 22, 1982|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527092806/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1982/12/22/25-million-bicycle-path-along-i-66-wins-praise/83a99cb5-edd0-4a4e-adc9-8399b78e2394/|archive-date=May 27, 2020|url-status=live}} During that same time period, the NVRPA began paving the easternmost section of trail from Shirlington Road to Columbia Pike (VA 244) in Arlington, with that work completed by the end of 1983.{{cite news|title=Arlington Bike Trail To Be Reconstructed|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1983/12/01/arlington-bike-trail-to-be-reconstructed/31e04aa5-8e49-4c13-aa14-38e76e6157fb/|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=December 1, 1983}}

In September 1984, the NVRPA finished paving two sections of the trail, an extension westward from Herndon to Sterling and, two weeks later, an extension east from I-66 to Columbia Pike.{{cite news|first=Paul|last=Hodge|

date=September 28, 1984|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1984/09/28/bikers-and-hikers-all-aboard-the-w38/bae6bb2d-1d6b-4ae5-a988-af6b40ac3ba1/|title=Bikers and Hikers: All Aboard the W&OD|department=Lifestyle|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=December 25, 2020}} Prior to the 1984 completion, the Arlington section of the trail from Columbia Pike to Lee Highway had been a dirt and gravel path. A sewer construction project that traveled along Four Mile Run delayed the paving for years.

In 1985, the NVRPA extended the paved portion of the trail through Leesburg, together with a parallel bridle path that NVRPA extended to Purcellville.Multiple sources:

• {{cite news |title=Officials Pave Way For Park Trails Plan|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=June 28, 1984}}
• {{cite news|last1=Hodge|first1=Paul|title=The W&OD Wheels Westward|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/1985/07/19/the-w38/8583cbce-7dc0-433a-ba25-96e269377f7c/|department=Lifestyle|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=July 19, 1985|access-date=December 25, 2020}}
• {{cite news|last1=Seigenthaler|first1=Kathering |title=Weekend's Best - Happy Trails to You |newspaper=The Washington Post|date=October 4, 1985}} The paved trail reached its western terminus in Purcellville in 1988.

In 2002, the NVRPA constructed the final section of the trail in and near Arlington County's {{Interlanguage link|Bluemont Park|ceb}}. Construction was delayed for years after encountering opposition from the public because of the paved section's potential environmental impacts. When completed, the final section connected the W&OD Trail's intersection with the Bluemont Junction Trail to the section of the W&OD Trail that is just east of North Carlin Springs Road. The final section included a new trail bridge over Four Mile Run and an underpass below North Carlin Springs Road.Multiple sources:

• {{cite news|first=Peter Y.|last=Hong|date=April 14, 1994|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1994/04/14/bicyclists-receive-a-boost/c5470e4a-6a80-4fff-a129-945335889fbe/|title=Bicyclists Receive A Boost|department=Local|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=April 15, 2021|quote=Some Arlington residents, however, opposed a proposal to build a bicycle trail through a meadow in Bluemont Park. The trail is intended to replace a bikeway that now runs through a parking lot and next to several playing fields. The Planning Commission also did not support the new Bluemont Park trail.
  "It's a nice, wooded meadowland. It would be better to correct the congestion problem on the other side," where the existing trail is, said Robert G. Atkins, president of the Stonewall Jackson Civic Association.}}
• {{cite journal|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726234457/http://www.bluemontcivic.org/newsletters/BCA_News_199907.pdf|archive-date=July 26, 2018 |url=http://www.bluemontcivic.org/newsletters/BCA_News_199907.pdf |title=BCA Opposes Bypass Trail Plan |volume=2|number=1|pages=2–3|date=July 1999|journal=Bluemont Civic Association Newsletter |location=Arlington County, Virginia|publisher=Bluemont Civic Association|access-date=June 13, 2012|quote=The Bluemont Civic Association voiced its opposition to a proposed bypass bicycle trail before a June 28 hearing of the Arlington County Environment and Energy Conservation Committee. .... The proposal is intended to divert high-speed bicycle and skater traffic from the W&OD Trail in Bluemont Park by constructing a parallel bypass trail on the opposite side of Four Mile Run. The bypass would begin at the intersection of the W&OD Trail and the Bluemont Junction Trail near the soccer field, run on the original W&OD railroad right-of-way under the VEPCO power lines. While BCA supports the concept of a bypass, we are opposed to the bypass as planned, due to the likelihood of significant environmental damage, the lack of a proper Environmental Assessment and the omission of key interested parties in the decision making process. As proposed, the bypass would virtually eliminate a meadow and could significantly disrupt Four Mile Run. |url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|last=Donahue|first=William T., County Manager |url=http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/CountyBoard/meetings/2000/oct7/11..htm |title=Memorandum to The County Board of Arlington County, Virginia: Approval of License Agreement With Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NVRPA) to Construct and Maintain a Section of the Washington & Old Dominion Trail Along with Related Improvements On County Owned Property (Bluemont Park) for the Public's Use |location=Arlington County, Virginia |publisher=Arlington County Government |date=October 4, 2000 |access-date=June 13, 2012 |quote=The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NVRPA) has requested a License Agreement (License) from the County to permit NVRPA to construct and maintain a portion of the Washington & Old Dominion Trail and related improvements in Bluemont Park where it crosses North Carlin Springs Road. ..... The proposed trail will connect the existing W&OD Trail from just south of Carlin Springs Road to the intersection of the W&OD Trail and the Bluemont Junction Trail, thereby providing an alternative for pedestrian and bicycle traffic from the Four Mile Run Trail through Bluemont Park. ..... The proposed trail would also connect the only unpaved portion of the W&OD Trail on NVRPA property along its 45 mile path from Arlington to Purcellville. ..... At North Carlin Springs Road, the proposed trail is on County property as it approaches and goes under the bridge at Four Mile Run. After crossing under the bridge, the trail reenters the NVRPA property, and crosses a new bridge to connect with the existing W&OD Trail. ..... The NVRPA has desired to connect the W&OD trail segments since the original construction of the trail. NVRPA's property adjacent to Bluemont Park is the last section of the railroad right of way to be developed with the trail. In the early 1990s, funding by NVRPA was proposed to be included in its capital budget and public discussion of the project was initiated. ..... Because of concerns about the environmental impacts of the project, the County Board directed that the trail connection be reviewed by the Environment and Energy Conservation Commission (E2C2), and that citizens and bicycle advisory groups be included in that review. ..... NVRPA has agreed to limit routine mowing along the new trail to three feet from the edge of the asphalt, to install a storm water detention facility, and to identify and establish alternate meadow sites both within the project area and elsewhere along the W&OD trail. NVRPA again reviewed alternate routes and determined that the suggested alternative routes would not resolve the safety issues and would have greater impact on the environment than the proposed route. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208163114/http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/CountyBoard/meetings/2000/oct7/11..htm|archive-date=February 8, 2012}}
• A ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new W&OD Trail section in and near Bluemont Park took place on May 11, 2002. See: {{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041031145836/http://www.arlingtonva.us/NewsReleases/Scripts/ViewDetail.asp?Index=790 |archive-date=October 31, 2004 |url=http://www.arlingtonva.us/NewsReleases/Scripts/ViewDetail.asp?Index=790 |title=Washington & Old Dominion Trail Ribbon Cutting and Tree Planting, 9:30 a.m., Bluemont Park |work=News Release: Arlington to Celebrate Sixth Annual Neighborhood Day May 11 |date=April 29, 2002 |location=Arlington County, Virginia |publisher=Arlington County Government |access-date=April 22, 2008 }}

On October 20, 2007, construction began for a paved trail that would connect the W&OD Trail at its origin with the Four Mile Run Trail by traveling for {{convert|3000|ft|m|0}} along a bank of the Run while passing beneath the Henry G. Shirley Memorial Highway (I-395) in Alexandria and West Glebe Road in Arlington.Multiple sources:

• {{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214190111/http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/Communications/PressReleases/page58462.aspx |archive-date=February 14, 2012 |url=http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/Communications/PressReleases/page58462.aspx |title=Arlington Kicks Off Work on New Four Mile Run Trail |work=News Release |location=Arlington County, Virginia |publisher=Arlington County Government |date=October 20, 2007 |access-date=May 28, 2009}}
• {{cite journal|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100612120230/http://alexandriava.gov/uploadedFiles/planning/info/FourMileRunRestorationProjectNewsletterNovember2008.pdf|archive-date=June 12, 2010 |url=http://alexandriava.gov/uploadedFiles/planning/info/FourMileRunRestorationProjectNewsletterNovember2008.pdf |title=Construction Underway for Four Mile Run Trail Extension |journal=Four Mile Run Restoration Project E-Newsletter (November/December 2008) |volume=1 |number=5 |publisher=Government of the City of Alexandria, Virginia |access-date=May 5, 2015 |url-status=live}} On May 30, 2009, a ribbon-cutting ceremony heralded the completion and opening of the connecting trail.{{cite web|url=http://www.sungazette.net/articles/2009/06/01/arlington/news/nw553b.txt|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120919162554/http://www.sungazette.net/articles/2009/06/01/arlington/news/nw553b.txt|archive-date=September 19, 2012|title=Four Mile Run-Area Connector Trail Officially Debuts|publisher=Sun Gazette|date=October 30, 2009|access-date=June 1, 2009}}

After constructing most of the trail, the NVRPA focused on grade-separating the trail and making other spot changes, sometimes in collaboration with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) or with developers of nearby properties. In 1989, the VDOT completed the Herndon Parkway on the east side of Herndon, which included a trail bridge over the Parkway.Multiple sources:

• {{cite news |title=Herndon approves Parkway Contract |newspaper=The Washington Post|date=May 25, 1983}}
• {{cite news |title=Town of Herndon |newspaper=The Washington Post|date=October 5, 1989}} In 1990, a trail bridge was constructed over VA 28 in eastern Loudoun County as part of a project to widen that road.{{cite news|title=The W&OD Trail Heads Towards The Mountains |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1235160.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=January 21, 1998 |access-date=June 14, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911110558/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1235160.html |archive-date=September 11, 2016}}{{cite news|last=Bates |first=Steve |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1990/11/08/trail-clears-hurdle/73f01306-aace-471f-81b7-5d8eef5061a3/ |title=Trail Clears Hurdle |access-date=May 26, 2016 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=November 8, 1990 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804153229/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1990/11/08/trail-clears-hurdle/73f01306-aace-471f-81b7-5d8eef5061a3/|archive-date=August 4, 2016}}

In 1991, the trail crossing of Reston Parkway (VA 602) in Reston was moved from Sunset Hills Road (VA 675) to Bluemont Way.{{cite news |title=BIKE TRAIL REALIGNED |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=July 4, 1991}} On October 3, 1993, the NVRPA completed a bridge over West Broad Street (VA 7) in Falls Church.Multiple sources:

• {{cite news |last1=Kaplow |first1=Bob |title=WORK BEGINS ON BRIDGE TO PROTECT WOD TRAIL USERS CROSSING RTE. 7 |newspaper=The Washington Post|date=August 20, 1992}}
• {{cite news |title=New W&OD Bridge To Open Next Month |newspaper=The Washington Post|date=September 17, 1992}}

In 1999, a developer, Terrabrook Communities, built a {{convert|55|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} wide and {{convert|15|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} high arched-concrete trail underpass beneath Reston Parkway as part of an agreement with the NVRPA.Coordinates of W&OD Trail underpass beneath Reston Parkway: {{coord|38.956859|-77.354849|type:landmark|format=dms|name=W&OD Trail underpass beneath Reston Parkway}} The {{convert|500|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} of old trail in that section became connectors to the parkway at Bluemont Way.Multiple sources:

• {{cite news |title=Ceremony to Dedicate Trail Underpass |newspaper=The Washington Post|date=June 24, 1999}}
• {{cite web|url=https://www.novaparks.com/about/blog/throwback-thursday-nova-parks-wod-trail–-history-of-safety|title=Throwback Thursday--NOVA PARKS--W&OD Trail – History of Safety|year=2019|location=Fairfax Station, Virginia|publisher=Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority|access-date=July 17, 2020}} The western section of the Herndon Parkway, with another trail bridge over it, was completed in 1997.{{cite news |title=Wishing They'd Quit Working On Toll Road |newspaper=The Washington Post|date=May 7, 1997}} In 2001, the VDOT expanded the Fairfax County Parkway (VA 286) across the W&OD Trail right-of-way, building an overpass for the trail at about the same time.{{cite web |publisher=Virginia Department of Transportation|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071113235400/http://www.virginiadot.org/news/newsrelease.asp?ID=NOVA-NV03-25 |archive-date=November 13, 2007 |url=http://www.virginiadot.org/news/newsrelease.asp?ID=NOVA-NV03-25 |title=Fairfax County Parkway Earns Top Quality Award |date=April 1, 2003 |access-date=April 5, 2012}}

In 2005, the Sugarland Run Valley Stream Trail in Herndon was extended {{convert|1|mi|km|1|abbr=on}} to connect to the trail.{{cite news|title=Sugarland Run Trail Open |url=http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2005/dec/06/sugarland-run-trail-open/|access-date=April 28, 2020|work=The Connection |date=December 6, 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523114921/http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2005/dec/06/sugarland-run-trail-open/|archive-date=May 23, 2020 |url-status=live}} In May 2006, the VDOT completed work on an extension of Claiborne Parkway (VA 901) that crossed NOVA Parks' right-of-way. As part of the project, the VDOT constructed a bridge that carried the W&OD Trail over the extended Parkway.Multiple sources:

• {{cite web |last1=afgm |title=Road Construction Delays |url=https://www.broadlandshoa.org/hoaforum/index.php?threads/road-construction-delays.1006/ |access-date=April 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523114921/https://www.broadlandshoa.org/hoaforum/index.php?threads%2Froad-construction-delays.1006%2F |archive-date=May 23, 2020 |url-status=live }}
• {{cite news |title=Better Routes Equal Less Traffic |url=http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2005/sep/06/better-routes-equal-less-traffic/ |access-date=April 16, 2020 |work=The Connection |date=September 6, 2005 }}
• {{cite news |title=Total and Utter Gridlock |url=http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2006/may/02/total-and-utter-gridlock/ |access-date=April 16, 2020 |work=The Connection |date=May 2, 2006 }}

On June 15, 2011, VDOT opened a new trail bridge over I-495 that was constructed as part of the Capital Beltway High Occupancy Toll (HOT) Lanes project. The new bridge was both {{convert|4|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} wider and {{convert|30|ft|m|1|abbr=on}} higher than the one built in 1979.{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Sherrill |title=VDOT Opens Improved Pedestrian Bridge in Annandale |url=https://patch.com/virginia/annandale/vdot-opens-improved-pedestrian-bridge-in-annandale |access-date=April 1, 2020 |date=June 22, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523114919/https://patch.com/virginia/annandale/vdot-opens-improved-pedestrian-bridge-in-annandale |archive-date=May 23, 2020 |url-status=live }} In 2013-2015, an Arlington County streetscape and utilities project realigned the W&OD's Trail's crossing of Columbia Pike (VA 244). An associated Arlington County project constructed a plaza and a bicycle "learner's loop" adjacent to the realigned trail in the County's Glencarlyn Park.Multiple sources:

• {{cite web|author=Arlington County Manager|url=http://arlington.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=737&meta_id=126021|title=Award of contract for the construction of park improvements in Glencarlyn Park at the intersection of the W&OD Trail and Columbia Pike, located at 4955 Columbia Pike|work=Arlington County Board Agenda Item: Meeting of November 15, 2014|date=October 28, 2014|publisher=Government of Arlington County, Virginia|access-date=June 25, 2020|quote=As part of the Spring 2009 Neighborhood Conservation funding round, the Barcroft Civic Association requested a Parks improvement project within Glencarlyn Park at the intersection with Columbia Pike. Parks staff worked with the community to design a plaza and bicycle learning loop to address the lack of bicycle space for young and beginning cyclists within Arlington. Following the funding round and approval of the project, staff was made aware that the Department of Environmental Services (DES) planned streetscape improvements along Columbia Pike directly adjacent to the project site. Staff worked with DES to ensure that these two projects would be coordinated. Part of DES's project included realigning the W&OD trail as it crosses Columbia Pike to improve safety, upgrading utilities and improving the sidewalks along Columbia Pike. The DES Columbia Pike streetscape project also agreed to install a waterline to enable inclusion of a drinking fountain at the park.}}
• {{cite web|title=Glencarlyn Park Ribbon CuttingCeremony: December 5|url=https://www.facebook.com/ArlingtonVA/photos/gm.1687727901440583/10153291390977776 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/99129427775/10153291390977776 |archive-date=February 26, 2022 |url-access=limited|access-date=June 25, 2020|date=December 2, 2015|publisher=Government of Arlington County, Virginia|via=Facebook}}{{cbignore}}

In late 2015, a truck-climbing lane project was completed on VA 7 in Clarke's Gap. The project realigned the trail to move its crossing of Charles Town Pike (VA 9) at Dry Mill Road (VA 699) to a new underpass beneath the Pike on the south side of VA 7.{{cite web |title=ROUTE 7 WESTBOUND TRUCK CLIMBING LANES PROJECT WRAPS UP |url=http://shirleycontracting.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Route-7-Truck-Climbing-Lanes-Project-Wraps-Up.pdf |access-date=March 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170329061715/http://shirleycontracting.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Route-7-Truck-Climbing-Lanes-Project-Wraps-Up.pdf |archive-date=March 29, 2017 |url-status=live}}Coordinates of W&OD Trail underpass beneath VA 9 at Clarke's Gap: {{coord|39.140700|-77.612382|scale:4000|format=dms|name=W&OD Trail tunnel under VA 9 at Clarke's Gap}} The realigned trail bypassed the trail's former high point, reducing the trail's highest elevation above sea level from {{convert|680|ft|m|1}} to {{convert|606|ft|m|1}}.{{cite web|url=http://www.wodfriends.org/maps/Section2.html|title=Location of the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Trail (map 2)|publisher=The Friends of the Washington & Old Dominion Trail|access-date=March 7, 2021|archive-date=January 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200122021213/http://www.wodfriends.org/maps/Section2.html}}.

In 2017, a bridge carrying Belmont Ridge Road (VA 659) over the W&OD Trail and a trail parking lot was constructed in Loudoun County as part of a project to widen the road.{{cite web|last1=Glick|first1=Jenny|date=July 15, 2017|title=Bridge over W&OD Trail to open ahead of schedule|url=https://wtop.com/loudoun-county/2017/07/bridge-washington-old-dominion-trail-open-ahead-schedule/|work=WTOP|access-date=August 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170717213248/https://wtop.com/loudoun-county/2017/07/bridge-washington-old-dominion-trail-open-ahead-schedule/|archive-date=July 17, 2017|url-status=live}} Also in 2017, NOVA Parks made within the County a set of safety improvements at the trail's crossing of S. Sterling Boulevard (VA 846), including removing one left turn lane to reduce the trail's crossing distance, installing Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons, and widening the Boulevard's median {{cite report |author=Kimley-Horn and Associates|date=March 23, 2018|title=Loudoun County W&OD Trail Crossings Study: Phase II Prioritization of the At-Grade Crossings: Final Report|page=5 |url=http://loudoun.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=74&clip_id=5461&meta_id=141792 |access-date=March 25, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200523114920/http://loudoun.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=74&clip_id=5461&meta_id=141792 |archive-date=May 23, 2020 |url-status=live |quote=Crossing ID# 1 – NOVA Parks implemented a short-term improvement in the summer of 2017 at the W&OD Trail and South Sterling Boulevard at-grade crossing to address safety concerns. The improvements included removing one left turn lane to shorten crossing distance, installing Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFB), and widening the median. }} The foregoing report is attachment 1 in the PDF document.

On March 12, 2021, the VDOT opened a W&OD Trail pedestrian and bicycle bridge over Lee Highway (U.S. 29) in Arlington County's East Falls Church neighborhood as part of its "Transform 66 - Inside the Beltway" I-66 eastbound widening project.Multiple sources:

• {{cite news|url=https://www.arlnow.com/2021/03/12/new-wod-trail-bridge-in-east-falls-church-opening-today/|title=New W&OD Trail Bridge in East Falls Church Opening Today|work=News|date=March 12, 2021|publisher= ARLnow|access-date=March 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210312194504/https://www.arlnow.com/2021/03/12/new-wod-trail-bridge-in-east-falls-church-opening-today/|archive-date=March 12, 2021|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|url=https://inside.transform66.org/about_the_project/wod_trail_bridge.asp|title=W&OD Trail Bridge|work=Transform 66 - Inside the Beltway: About the Project|year=2021|location=Richmond, Virginia|publisher=Virginia Department of Transportation|access-date=March 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210317012540/https://inside.transform66.org/about_the_project/wod_trail_bridge.asp|archive-date=March 17, 2021|url-status=live}} When planning the project, the VDOT hosted several public meetings that provided information about the bridge, which had raised concerns among neighborhood residents.Multiple sources:
• {{cite web|url=http://inside.transform66.org/meetings/default.asp|title=I-66 Inside the Beltway Meetings|work=Transform 66 — Inside the Beltway: About the Project|year=2018|location=Richmond, Virginia|publisher=Virginia Department of Transportation|access-date=December 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181224173257/http://inside.transform66.org/about_the_project/meetings.asp|archive-date=December 24, 2018|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|url=https://www.arlnow.com/2017/01/27/east-falls-church-residents-wary-of-plan-for-lee-highway-pedestrian-bridge/|title=East Falls Church Residents Wary of Plan for Lee Highway Pedestrian Bridge|first=Tim|last=Regan|date=January 27, 2017|work=

ARLnow|publisher=Local News Now LLC.|access-date=September 29, 2017|archive-date=September 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929033108/https://www.arlnow.com/2017/01/27/east-falls-church-residents-wary-of-plan-for-lee-highway-pedestrian-bridge/}}. Shortly afterwards there was a campaign to name the bridge for cyclist Peter Beers.{{cite news |title=An Unauthorized Bid to Rename W&OD Bridge? |url=https://www.fcnp.com/2023/06/08/an-unauthorized-bid-to-rename-wod-bridge/ |access-date=18 July 2024 |date=8 June 2023}}

On July 24th, 2024 the Fairfax County Department of Transportation opened a new trail bridge over Wiehle Avenue in Reston. The bridge was recommended in an April 2008 study by the Reston Metrorail Access Group, an advisory committee created in spring 2006 to prepare for the arrival of Metro’s Silver Line. The Wiehle Metro station opened in 2014, but the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors didn’t approve a final design for the bridge crossing until July 2018. Preliminary work relocating utilities started in 2021, and construction started in March 2023.{{cite news |last1=Woolsey |first1=Angela |title=Pedestrian bridge over Wiehle Avenue set to open tomorrow |url=https://www.ffxnow.com/2024/07/08/pedestrian-bridge-over-wiehle-avenue-set-to-open-july-9/ |access-date=9 July 2024 |work=Fairfax Now |date=8 July 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Jarvis |first1=James |title=Wiehle Avenue pedestrian bridge opens to W&OD Trail users — for real this time |url=https://www.ffxnow.com/2024/07/25/wiehle-avenue-pedestrian-bridge-opens-to-wod-trail-users-for-real-this-time/ |access-date=12 December 2024 |date=25 July 2024}}

Around 2017, NOVA Parks commissioned a feasibility study for a potential widening of the W&OD Trail or for adding a parallel trail to it within Falls Church and Arlington County because of high use at peak times. The study's author recommended that NOVA Parks make plans to construct a {{convert|16|ft|m|1}} or {{convert|19|ft|m|1}} wide trail within the two jurisdictions, while temporarily widening the trail to {{convert|11|feet|m|1}}.{{cite web|url=http://www.thewashcycle.com/2017/06/nova-parks-has-studied-widening-the-wod-trail-to-16-or-19-feet.html|title=Nova Parks has studied widening the W&OD Trail to 16 or 19 feet|work=The WashCycle: cycling advocacy in the nation's capital|date=June 22, 2017|access-date=July 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170727235909/http://www.thewashcycle.com/2017/06/nova-parks-has-studied-widening-the-wod-trail-to-16-or-19-feet.html|archive-date=July 27, 2017|url-status=live}}

In June 2018, NOVA Parks received a $3.2 million grant from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority that enabled it to expand a {{convert|1.2|mi|km|1}} long W&OD Trail segment within the City of Falls Church. The project converted an {{convert|11|ft|m|1}} wide section of the trail and part of its adjacent green space into a dual paved path containing a {{convert|12|ft|m|1}} wide bicycle trail and an {{convert|8|ft|m|1}} wide pedestrian trail. A {{convert|2|ft|m|1|}} wide strip of pavement separated the two routes, creating a {{convert|22|ft|m|1}} wide transportation corridor that doubled the W&OD Trail's width.Multiple sources:

• {{cite web|url=https://thenovaauthority.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Click-here-to-see-the-FY2018-2023-Six-Year-Program-Report..pdf|title=SPA Number: 2018-062-1: Falls Church Enhanced Regional Bike Routes (W&OD Trail)|work=Six Year Program: FY2018–2023|location=Fairfax, Virginia|publisher=Northern Virginia Transportation Authority|access-date=October 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012020612/https://thenovaauthority.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Click-here-to-see-the-FY2018-2023-Six-Year-Program-Report..pdf|archive-date=October 12, 2020|url-status=live}}
• {{cite news|first=Nicholas F.|last=Benton|url=https://fcnp.com/2018/11/29/3-2-million-state-funds-okd-turn-wod-trail-bike-pedestrian-lanes/|title=$3.2 Million in State Funds OK'd to Turn W&OD Trail Into Bike, Pedestrian Lanes|date=November 29, 2018|publisher=Falls Church News-Press|access-date=December 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130125152/https://fcnp.com/2018/11/29/3-2-million-state-funds-okd-turn-wod-trail-bike-pedestrian-lanes/|archive-date=November 30, 2018|url-status=live}}
• {{cite book|url=http://www.fallschurchva.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4718/CityOfFallsChurch_WandODParkMasterPlan|title=W&OD Park Master Plan: The City's Greenest Street|date=April 11, 2016|publisher=City of Falls Church, Virginia, government|access-date=December 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181222180818/http://www.fallschurchva.gov/DocumentCenter/View/4718/CityOfFallsChurch_WandODParkMasterPlan|archive-date=December 22, 2018|url-status=live}}.
• {{cite web|url=https://www.novaparks.com/parks/washington-and-old-dominion-railroad-regional-park/updates/improvements-to-the-wod-trail-in|title=Improvements to the W&OD Trail in Falls Church|work=Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park|publisher=NOVA Parks|access-date=October 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012003726/https://www.novaparks.com/parks/washington-and-old-dominion-railroad-regional-park/updates/improvements-to-the-wod-trail-in|archive-date=October 12, 2020|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|url=http://www.fallschurchva.gov/2041/WOD-Dual-Trails|title=W&OD Dual Trails|publisher=City of Falls Church, Virginia|access-date=October 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200527053809/http://www.fallschurchva.gov/2041/WOD-Dual-Trails|archive-date=May 27, 2020|url-status=live}}

The two imperviously-surfaced trails traveled through a {{convert|16|acre|ha|0}} urban open space that a 2016 Falls Church master plan had called "The City's Greenest Street". The master plan's "Vision Statement" stated that the project would help "Develop the W&OD Park as a Great Street and greenway".

Officials broke ground on the Falls Church "W&OD Dual Trails" project on August 26, 2020.Multiple sources:

• {{cite news|first=Catherine Douglas|last=Moran|date=August 26, 2020|url=https://www.tysonsreporter.com/2020/08/26/groundbreaking-kicks-off-wod-dual-trails-project-in-falls-church/|title=Groundbreaking Kicks Off W&OD Dual Trails Project in Falls Church|work=News|publisher=Tysons Reporter|access-date=October 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011235315/https://www.tysonsreporter.com/2020/08/26/groundbreaking-kicks-off-wod-dual-trails-project-in-falls-church/|archive-date=October 11, 2020|url-status=live}}
• {{cite news|first=Emily|last=Leayman|date=August 26, 2020|url=https://patch.com/virginia/fallschurch/w-od-trail-get-dual-trails-users-falls-church|title=W&OD Trail To Get Dual Trails For Users In Falls Church|work=Traffic & Transit|publisher=Falls Church, Virginia, Patch|access-date=October 12, 2020|archive-date=October 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012001459/https://patch.com/virginia/fallschurch/w-od-trail-get-dual-trails-users-falls-church}}.
• {{cite web|last1=Pascale|first1=Jordan|date=August 26, 2020|title=A One-Mile Stretch Of Northern Virginia's W&OD Trail Will Get A Second Path For Pedestrians|url=https://dcist.com/story/20/08/26/pedestrian-trail-expansion-falls-church/|work=DCist|access-date=October 12, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012024651/https://dcist.com/story/20/08/26/pedestrian-trail-expansion-falls-church/|archive-date=October 12, 2020|url-status=live}}
• {{cite news|first=Scott, Sun Gazette Newspapers|last=McCaffrey|date=September 4, 2020|url=https://www.insidenova.com/news/transportation/work-begins-on-first-dual-use-segment-of-w-od-trail/article_d126caca-e95b-11ea-a84c-bb1f4320df72.htmlhttps://www.insidenova.com/news/transportation/work-begins-on-first-dual-use-segment-of-w-od-trail/article_d126caca-e95b-11ea-a84c-bb1f4320df72.html|title=Work begins on first dual-use segment of W&OD Trail|work=InsideNoVa|location=Washington, Virginia|publisher=Rappahannock Media LLC|access-date=October 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011233254/https://www.insidenova.com/news/transportation/work-begins-on-first-dual-use-segment-of-w-od-trail/article_d126caca-e95b-11ea-a84c-bb1f4320df72.html|archive-date=October 11, 2020|url-status=live}} The widened trail formally opened during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 7, 2021.Multiple sources:
• {{cite web|url=https://thenovaauthority.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Post-Event-Press-Release-Dual-Trails-FINAL-with-photos.pdf|title=Regional Leaders Celebrate Dual Trails on Washington & Old Dominion Trail in City of Falls Church|work=Press Release|date=October 7, 2021|publisher=NOVA Parks|access-date=October 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010015609/https://thenovaauthority.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Post-Event-Press-Release-Dual-Trails-FINAL-with-photos.pdf|archive-date=October 10, 2021|url-status=live}}
• {{cite news|first=Jo|last=DeVoe|date=October 7, 2021|url=https://www.arlnow.com/2021/10/07/separate-cycling-walking-paths-could-come-to-wod-trail-in-arlington/|title=Separate Cycling, Walking Paths Could Come to W&OD Trail in Arlington|location=Arlington County, Virginia|work=News|publisher=ARLnow|access-date=October 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008160628/https://www.arlnow.com/2021/10/07/separate-cycling-walking-paths-could-come-to-wod-trail-in-arlington/|archive-date=October 8, 2021|url-status=live}}
• {{cite news|first=Scott|last=Fields|date=October 8, 2021|url=https://www.tysonsreporter.com/2021/10/08/separate-paths-on-wod-trail-for-cyclists-and-pedestrians-unveiled-in-falls-church/|title=Separate paths on W&OD Trail for cyclists and pedestrians unveiled in Falls Church|work=News|location=Tysons, Virginia|publisher=Tysons Reporter|access-date=October 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008173915/https://www.tysonsreporter.com/2021/10/08/separate-paths-on-wod-trail-for-cyclists-and-pedestrians-unveiled-in-falls-church/|archive-date=October 8, 2021|url-status=live}}
• {{cite news|first=Brian|last=Trompeter|date=October 12, 2021|url=https://sungazette.news/wod-trail-upgrade-inaugurates-a-new-era/|title=W&OD Trail upgrade inaugurates a new era|work=Transportation|location=Arlington County, Virginia|publisher=Sun Gazette|access-date=October 14, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211014072413/https://sungazette.news/wod-trail-upgrade-inaugurates-a-new-era/|archive-date=October 14, 2021|url-status=live}} The executive director of NOVA Parks, Paul Gilbert, stated during the event: "I envision over the next decade, more and more urban sections of the W&OD Trail will take on this dual trail methodology."{{cite news|first=Emily|last=Leayman|date=October 8, 2021|url=https://patch.com/virginia/fallschurch/dual-w-od-trail-pedestrians-bicyclists-opens-falls-church|title=Dual W&OD Trail For Pedestrians, Bicyclists Opens In Falls Church|work=Health and Fitness|location=Falls Church, Virginia|publisher=Patch|access-date=October 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211008180918/https://patch.com/virginia/fallschurch/dual-w-od-trail-pedestrians-bicyclists-opens-falls-church|archive-date=October 8, 2021|url-status=live|quote=Gilbert told Patch he hopes the dual trail will be expanded to other urbanized areas of the W&OD and encourages localities to add it into their transportation plans. The next phase of the dual trail will be in Arlington, with $650,000 for design funded by the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority in its six-year funding program.
  "I envision over the next decade, more and more urban sections of the W&OD Trail will take on this dual trail methodology," said Gilbert.}}

In 1987, the U. S. Department of the Interior designated the trail as a National Recreation Trail.{{cite web|url=https://www.nrtdatabase.org/trailDetail.php?recordID=2366#three|title=Washington and Old Dominion Trail|work=National Recreation Trail Database|location=Redding, California|publisher=American Trails|access-date=October 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813181039/https://www.nrtdatabase.org/trailDetail.php?recordID=2366|archive-date=August 13, 2020|url-status=live}} In 1999, Virginia Department of Historic Resources staff determined that the "Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Historic District" (053-0276) was eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP).Multiple sources:

• {{cite web|first=Raymond (Virginia Department of Transportation Fredericksburg District)|last= Ezell|url=http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/resources/northernvirginia/sycolin_overpass_-_cultural_resources.pdf|title=Archaeological Survey: Proposed Sycolin Road Overpass of Route 7/15 Bypass Leesburg, Loudoun County, Virginia: Management Summary

|date=February 29, 2012|page=2|publisher=Virginia Department of Transportation|access-date=January 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120927043818/http://www.virginiadot.org/projects/resources/northernvirginia/sycolin_overpass_-_cultural_resources.pdf|archive-date=September 27, 2012|url-status=live}}

• {{cite web|author=Dutton + Associates |url=http://www.scc.virginia.gov/docketsearch/DOCS/3cyz01%21.PDF|title=VDHR #053-0276: Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Historic District (Eligible).|work=Pre-Application Analysis for Cultural Resources of the Idylwood Substation at Shreve Road Project|date=October 2016|page=i|publisher=Virginia State Corporation Commission|access-date=January 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126195021/http://www.scc.virginia.gov/docketsearch/DOCS/3cyz01%21.PDF|archive-date=January 26, 2020|url-status=live|quote=There is one resource, Washington & Old Dominion Railroad (W&OD RR) Historic District (VDHR #053-0276), within 0.5 mile of the proposed project that has been determined eligible for listing in the NRHP.}}
• {{cite web|first1=Catherine|last1=Schlupp|first2=Heather Dollins (Dovetail Cultural Resource Group, Fredericksburg, Virginia)|last2=Staton|url=https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/transportation/sites/transportation/files/assets/documents/pdf/transportation%20projects,%20studies%20and%20plans/soapstone%20connector/161024_soapstone_phaseibculturalresourcessurvey.pdf|title=Phase IB Architectural Survey of the Proposed Soapstone Connector, Fairfax County Virginia|date=October 2016|page=i|publisher=Fairfax County, Virginia government|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180826004927/https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/transportation/sites/transportation/files/assets/documents/pdf/transportation%20projects,%20studies%20and%20plans/soapstone%20connector/161024_soapstone_phaseibculturalresourcessurvey.pdf|archive-date=August 26, 2018|url-status=live|quote=Dovetail recommends that the Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Historic District (053-0276) remains individually eligible for the NRHP.}}
• {{cite web|url=http://inside.transform66.org/documents/nov2016_05_i66itbebw_phaseiarchitecutralreport_final201611.pdf|title=Transform I-66 Inside the Beltway: Eastbound Widening Environmental Assessment: Architectural Phase I Survey Report|publisher=United States Department of Transportation: Federal Highway Administration and Virginia Department of Transportation|date=November 2016|page=7|access-date=January 26, 2020|quote=The Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Historic District (053-0276) was evaluated by DHR staff in 1999 and determined to be NRHP-eligible.}} A 2000 NRHP registration form states that the Historic District is eligible for the listing because the District "is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history". The form contains an in-depth description of the District's historical resources and of the railroad's history, as well as maps that show the locations of the Districts's major historical features.[http://www.scc.virginia.gov/docketsearch/DOCS/198_01!.PDF Neville]

File:Purcellville-VA-Train-Station.jpg

The park and its immediate surroundings contain a number of historic structures, some of which date to the pre-Civil War period.[http://www.scc.virginia.gov/docketsearch/DOCS/198_01!.PDF Neville], Section 7, pp. 4–9. Most of these structures are railroad remnants, including intact stations{{cite web|url=http://geocities.com/Yosemite/Trails/9401/railroad.html|title=Stations Still Standing in Remembering The W&OD Railroad|publisher=www.RailServe.com by Christopher Muller|date=February 14, 2007|access-date=August 5, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091021094214/http://geocities.com/Yosemite/Trails/9401/railroad.html|archive-date=October 21, 2009}}

at Vienna,{{cite web|url=http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=2090|title=NVRPA "Vienna Station" marker near the Vienna Station of the W&OD Railroad|work="Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series |publisher=HMdb: The Historical Marker Database|access-date=July 23, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226210034/http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=2090 |archive-date=December 26, 2015}} In {{cite web|url=http://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?SeriesID=18|title=Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series|publisher=HMdb: The Historical Marker Database|access-date=May 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512143000/https://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?SeriesID=18|archive-date=May 12, 2021|url-status=live}}{{cite web|first=Rebekah K.|last=Wood|url=http://www.geocities.ws/pem20165/NationalRegisterNomination.html |title=Vienna Depot: Description and Historical Significance: Vienna, Virginia. Prepared for the nomination of the Vienna Depot to the National Register of Historic Places |work=Washington & Old Dominion Railroad, 1847 to 1968: A Photographic History, by Paul McCray|date=May 3, 2002|access-date=September 14, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160122074105/http://www.geocities.ws/pem20165/NationalRegisterNomination.html|archive-date=January 22, 2016|url-status=live}} Sunset Hills,{{cite web|url=http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=25074|title=NVRPA "Sunset Hills Station" marker|work=HMdb: The Historical Marker Database|access-date=May 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226213631/http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=25074|archive-date=December 26, 2015|url-status=live}} In {{cite web|url=http://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?SeriesID=18|title=Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series|work=HMdb: The Historical Marker Database|access-date=May 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718175215/http://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?SeriesID=18|archive-date=July 18, 2011|url-status=live}} Herndon,{{cite web|url=http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=152|title=NVRPA "Herndon Station" marker|work=HMdb: The Historical Marker Database|access-date=May 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151227010905/http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=152|archive-date=December 27, 2015|url-status=live}} In {{cite web|url=http://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?SeriesID=18|title=Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series|work=HMdb: The Historical Marker Database|access-date=May 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718175215/http://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?SeriesID=18|archive-date=July 18, 2011|url-status=live}} Hamilton{{cite web|url=http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=26961|title=NVRPA "Hamilton Station" marker|work=HMdb: The Historical Marker Database|access-date=May 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718175215/http://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?SeriesID=18|archive-date=July 18, 2011|url-status=live}} In {{cite web|url=http://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?SeriesID=18|title=Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series|work=HMdb: The Historical Marker Database|access-date=May 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718175215/http://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?SeriesID=18|archive-date=July 18, 2011|url-status=live}} and Purcellville,{{cite web|last1=Kalbian|first1=Maral S|last2=Peters|first2=Margaret T. |url=http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/registers/Counties/Loudoun/286-5001-0233_Purcellville_Train_Depot_2009_FINAL_Nomination.pdf|title=National Register of Historic Places Registration Form (United States Department of the Interior: National Park Service): Purcellville Train Station|publisher=Virginia Department of Historic Resources|location=Richmond, Virginia |date=November 20, 2009 |access-date=September 14, 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100823085425/http://www.dhr.virginia.gov/registers/Counties/Loudoun/286-5001-0233_Purcellville_Train_Depot_2009_FINAL_Nomination.pdf|archive-date=August 23, 2010}}{{cite web|author=Director, National Park Service |url=http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/listings/20100604.htm|title=Weekly list of actions taken on properties for the National Register of Historic Places: 5/24/10 through 5/28/10 |publisher=U.S. Department of the Interior: National Park Service|date=June 4, 2010|access-date=September 14, 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100830152958/http://www.nps.gov/history/nr/listings/20100604.htm |archive-date=August 30, 2010}}Multiple sources:

• {{cite web|url=https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=24360|title=NVRPA "Purcellville Station" marker|work=HMdb: The Historical Marker Database|access-date=May 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201018214108/https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=24360|archive-date=October 18, 2020|url-status=live}} In {{cite web|url=http://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?SeriesID=18|title=Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series|work=HMdb: The Historical Marker Database|access-date=May 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718175215/http://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?SeriesID=18|archive-date=July 18, 2011|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727144822/http://va-purcellville.civicplus.com/index.aspx?NID=193|archive-date=July 27, 2011|url=http://va-purcellville.civicplus.com/index.asp?NID=193|title=Purcellville Train Station|publisher=Town of Purcellville, Virginia|access-date=April 2, 2008}}
• {{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927184733/http://www.ppa-va.org/Proj_TrainStation.htm|archive-date=September 27, 2007|url=http://www.ppa-va.org/Proj_TrainStation.htm|title=Preserving the Train Depot|access-date=January 21, 2010}}. Published by {{cite web|url=http://www.ppa-va.org|title=Purcellville Preservation Association|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080705084030/http://www.ppa-va.org/|archive-date=July 5, 2008}}. stone arches and culverts,[https://geocities.restorativland.org/Yosemite/Trails/9401/images/paeonian.jpg Undated photograph of stone arch culvert under W&OD Trail west of Simpson Circle near Paeonian Springs] the piers and abutments of bridges, and a relocated passenger shelter (formerly at the site of the Clarks Gap station at the present crossing of the trail and Dry Mill Road (VA 699); now at the former site of the Paeonian Springs station near Simpson Circle).Multiple sources:
• {{cite web |last=McCray |first=Paul |url=http://www.geocities.ws/pem20165/wodph149PaeonianSpringsStation.html |title=Paeonian Springs Station |work=Washington & Old Dominion Railroad 1847 to 1968: A Photographic History |publisher=Paul McCray |access-date=November 18, 2011 |quote=The Paeonian Springs Station was located approximately where the small passenger shelter now sits next to the trail in the community of Paeonian Springs. The shelter was originally located at Clarks Gap and was built from pieces of the larger, demolished Clarks Gap station.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131003102354/http://www.geocities.ws/pem20165/wodph149PaeonianSpringsStation.html |archive-date=October 3, 2013 }}
• {{cite web|first=Craig|last=Swain|url=https://www.hmdb.org/Photos/8/Photo8167o.jpg|title=Marker in front of the Shelter Along the Trail|date=August 25, 2007|format=photograph|publisher=HMdb: The Historical Marker Database|access-date=December 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304053435/http://www.hmdb.org/Photos/8/Photo8167o.jpg|archive-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=live}} showing passenger shelter and "Additional comment" dated January 29, 2008. In {{cite web|last=Swain|first=Craig|url=http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=2903|title=Paeonian Springs Station marker|publisher=HMdb: The Historical Marker Database|access-date=December 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718175043/http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=2903|archive-date=July 18, 2011|url-status=live|quote=In 2006, the shelter along the trail at the site of the former Paeonian Springs station contained on its rear wall a sheet of paper within a plastic cover. The sheet described the history of the shelter. The sheet stated that the Washington & Old Dominion Railroad constructed the shelter at the site of the Clarkes Gap station on Dry Mill Road after the Clarkes Gap station burned down. According to the sheet, a railroad employee who lived in Paeonian Springs preserved the shelter. The sheet further stated that the employee's family had donated the shelter to the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority.}} In {{cite web|url=http://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?SeriesID=18|title=Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series|work=HMdb: The Historical Marker Database|access-date=May 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151227012912/http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=24360 |archive-date=December 27, 2015|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|url=http://www.midatlanticdaytrips.com/2017/08/exploring-w-rail-trail.html|title=A relocated passenger shelter (formerly at Clarks Gap; now at Paeonian Springs|work=Exploring the W&OD Rail Trail|publisher=MidAtlanticDayTrips.com|date=August 2, 2017|format=photograph|access-date=December 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229212852/http://www.midatlanticdaytrips.com/2017/08/exploring-w-rail-trail.html|archive-date=December 29, 2019|url-status=live}}

Part of the reinforced concrete floor of a brick electrical substation that the railroad constructed in 1912 to help supply power to its new electric locomotives and trolley cars is visible in Arlington County's Bluemont Junction Railroad Display south of Wilson Boulevard.Multiple sources:

• {{cite web |last=Swain |first=Craig |url=http://www.hmdb.org/Photos/87/Photo87531o.jpg|title=Photograph of electrical substation floor at Bluemont Junction |work=HMdb.org: The Historical Marker Database|date=November 11, 2009|access-date=August 18, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112160728/http://www.hmdb.org/Photos/87/Photo87531o.jpg |archive-date=January 12, 2014|url-status=live}}
• Description of "Electric Power House". In {{cite web|last=Swain|first=Craig|url=http://www.hmdb.org/Photos/87/Photo87759o.jpg |title=Bluemont Junction, ca. 1934, historical marker: front|work=HMdb.org: The Historical Marker Database|date=November 11, 2009|access-date=August 18, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112160729/http://www.hmdb.org/Photos/87/Photo87759o.jpg |archive-date=January 12, 2014|url-status=live}}
• Description and photograph of electrical substation at Bluemont Junction in [http://www.scc.virginia.gov/docketsearch/DOCS/198p01!.PDF Harwood, pp. 48, 105.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928181826/http://www.scc.virginia.gov/docketsearch/DOCS/198p01!.PDF |date=September 28, 2017 }} The floor is located in the space between a soccer field and a Southern Railway caboose.Bird's eye satellite image of Bluemont Junction Railroad Display: {{cite web|author=Fernie, Steve |url=http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/caboose-at-bluemont-junction/view/?service=1 |title=Caboose at Bluemont Junction |work=Virtual Globetrotting |date=January 15, 2010 |access-date=December 24, 2011 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140911010927/http://virtualglobetrotting.com/map/caboose-at-bluemont-junction/view/?service=1 |archive-date=September 11, 2014}}Coordinates of electrical substation floor in Bluemont Junction Railroad Display: {{coord|38.872958|-77.132521|type:landmark|format=dms|name=Electrical substation floor in Bluemont Junction Railroad Display}}

A remnant of a coal trestle stands south of the W&OD Trail, near the west end of the trail's bridge over Lee Highway (U.S. 29) in Arlington. In June 2014, the owner of a property adjacent to the regional park demolished part of the structure to provide space for a planned self-storage facility. At the time, the Arlington County government was considering a proposal to designate the structure as a local historic district. In September 2014, the Arlington County Board designated the remaining portion of trestle, which was located on NVRPA property, as a local historic district.Multiple sources:

• {{cite book|last=Liebertz|first=John (Arlington County Historic Preservation Planner)|url=https://www.arlingtonva.us/files/sharedassets/public/v/1/projects/documents/b.e.-coal-trestle-local-designation-form.pdf |title=Arlington County Register of Historic Places: Historic District Designation Form: Benjamin Elliott's Coal Trestle|publisher=Government of Arlington County, Virginia|access-date=March 28, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250328065735/https://www.arlingtonva.us/files/sharedassets/public/v/1/projects/documents/b.e.-coal-trestle-local-designation-form.pdf|archive-date=March 28, 2025|url-status=live}}
• {{cite news|last=Rothstein|first=Ethan|url=http://www.arlnow.com/2014/06/06/part-of-wod-railroad-torn-down-for-storage-facility/|title=Part of W&OD Railroad Torn Down for Storage Facility|work=ARLnow|date=June 6, 2014|access-date=July 10, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140613042909/http://www.arlnow.com/2014/06/06/part-of-wod-railroad-torn-down-for-storage-facility/|archive-date=June 13, 2014|url-status=live}}
• {{cite news|last=Sullivan |first=Patricia |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/landowner-removes-remnants-of-arlingtons-industrial-past-for-self-storage-units/2014/06/10/45e95eea-eda0-11e3-92b8-52344c12e8a1_story.html |title=Landowner removes remnants of Arlington's industrial past for self-storage units |department=Local |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=June 11, 2014 |access-date=June 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180611040731/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/landowner-removes-remnants-of-arlingtons-industrial-past-for-self-storage-units/2014/06/10/45e95eea-eda0-11e3-92b8-52344c12e8a1_story.html |archive-date=June 11, 2018 |url-status=live}}
• {{cite news |last=Rothstein |first=Ethan |url=http://www.arlnow.com/2014/06/13/wod-trestle-could-get-historic-designation/ |title=W&OD Trestle Could Get Historic Designation|work=ARLnow|date=June 13, 2014|access-date=July 10, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140616000655/http://www.arlnow.com/2014/06/13/wod-trestle-could-get-historic-designation/|archive-date=June 16, 2014|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web |url=http://arlington.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=733&meta_id=124803 |title=Board Report: Historic District Designation of and Design Guidelines for Benjamin Elliott's Coal Trestle, located on the southern side of the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail near the southwestern corner of Lee Highway and Fairfax Drive, adjacent to the northern property line of 6873 Lee Highway, and which district boundary shall include only the trestle structure itself in the portion of the parcel identified as RPC #11-065-001|work=County Board Agenda Item 50: Meeting of September 20, 2014|publisher=Government of Arlington County, Virginia |date=September 12, 2014|access-date=October 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181028013655/http://arlington.granicus.com/MetaViewer.php?view_id=2&event_id=733&meta_id=124803|archive-date=October 28, 2018|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|last=Fisette|first=Jay, Chair, Arlington County Board|url=https://docs.google.com/gview?url=https%3A%2F%2Farlington.granicus.com%2FDocumentViewer.php%3Ffile%3Darlington_856c44a4651244577a4839fb84f6c6b9.pdf|title=Approval of agenda item number 50 (p. 27): Historic District Designation of and Design Guidelines for Benjamin Elliott's Coal Trestle, located on the southern side of the Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail near the southwestern corner of Lee Highway and Fairfax Drive, adjacent to the northern property line of 6873 Lee Highway, and which district boundary shall include only the trestle structure itself in the portion of the parcel identified as RPC #11-065-001|work=Minutes of Arlington County Board meeting of September 20, 2014: Consent Items (Items 1-53)|page=1|publisher=Government of Arlington County, Virginia|date=September 20, 2014|access-date=February 5, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205035529/https://docs.google.com/gview?url=https%3A%2F%2Farlington.granicus.com%2FDocumentViewer.php%3Ffile%3Darlington_856c44a4651244577a4839fb84f6c6b9.pdf|archive-date=February 5, 2021|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|url=https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Projects/Project-Types/Local-Historic-District/Benjamin-Elliotts-Coal-Trestle|title=Benjamin Elliott's Coal Trestle|work=Projects & Planning|publisher=Government of Arlington County, Virginia|year=2021|access-date=March 26, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240914062301/https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Projects/Project-Types/Local-Historic-District/Benjamin-Elliotts-Coal-Trestle|archive-date=September 14, 2024|url-status=live}}
• {{cite news|last=McCaffrey|first=Scott|date=March 26, 2025|url=https://www.arlnow.com/2025/03/26/remains-of-railroad-structure-in-e-falls-church-to-receive-historic-marker|title=Remains of railroad structure in E. Falls Church to receive historic marker|work=ARLnow|access-date=March 26, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250326212647/https://www.arlnow.com/2025/03/26/remains-of-railroad-structure-in-e-falls-church-to-receive-historic-marker/|archive-date=March 26, 2025|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|url=https://www.arlingtonva.us/files/sharedassets/public/v/1/commissions/documents/drc-halrb/march-2025/novaparks_elliottcoaltrestle_draft030225.pdf|title=Benjamin Elliott's Coal Trestle|work=Park History Interpretive Series|date=March 26, 2025|access-date=March 6, 2025|publisher=Government of Arlington County, Virginia|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250326215749/https://www.arlingtonva.us/files/sharedassets/public/v/1/commissions/documents/drc-halrb/march-2025/novaparks_elliottcoaltrestle_draft030225.pdf|archive-date=March 26, 2025|url-status=live}} Image of draft NOVA Parks historic marker. The trestle was once adjacent to the west side of the railroad's Falls Church (East Falls Church) station, which was dismantled after the railroad closed.

A white metallic marker post lettered in black with the words "Station 1 Mile" stands on the north side of the trail west of Little Falls Road near the boundary between Arlington and Falls Church. This post, which once stood next to the W&OD Railroad's tracks, is one mile (1.6 km) east of the site of the railroad's demolished West Falls Church Station.{{cite web|url=http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=2901|title=NVRPA "West Falls Church Station" marker|work=HMdb: The Historical Marker Database|access-date=May 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151227010905/http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=152|archive-date=December 27, 2015|url-status=live}} In {{cite web|url=http://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?SeriesID=18|title=Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series|work=HMdb: The Historical Marker Database|access-date=May 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718175215/http://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?SeriesID=18 |archive-date=July 18, 2011|url-status=live}} The station was located near the east side of the railroad's crossing of W. Broad Street (VA 7) in Falls Church.

File:Fairfax Abutment.JPG over the W&OD Railroad near the east end of Vienna (December 2006)]]

Near the east end of Vienna, the poured concrete abutment of a bridge that carried an interurban trolley line, the Arlington & Fairfax Railway, over the W&OD Railroad remains on the north side of the trail.[https://scc.virginia.gov/docketsearch/DOCS/198_01!.PDF Neville], Section 7, p. 5. An inscription showing the month and year of the abutment's construction (July 1904) is visible on the structure's east side.

Portions of track were visible near the W&OD Trail's crossing of Ruritan Circle (Old Church Road, VA 859) in Sterling during 2016.

The trail crosses Goose Creek in Loudoun County on a span that NVRPA built on top of the piers and abutments of the highest and longest ({{convert|268|ft}}) bridge that the railroad constructed within the present boundaries of the regional park.Description and 1960 photograph of Goose Creek bridge in Williams, Appendix II, Bridges and Structures. Visitors can view these remnants and the intact span, pier and abutments of the railroad's deck girder bridge over Sycolin Creek from unpaved paths that travel between the streams in NVRPA's Two Creeks Trail Area on the north side of the trail.Multiple sources:

• {{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130722083202/http://www.pecva.org/library/documents/Resources-Publications/Publications/Loudoun%20Outdoors%20Guide.pdf |archive-date=July 22, 2013 |url=http://www.pecva.org/library/documents/Resources-Publications/Publications/Loudoun%20Outdoors%20Guide.pdf |title=Two Creeks Trail Area |work=Loudoun Outdoors Guide |publisher=Piedmont Environmental Council|access-date=December 27, 2013 |url-status=live}}
• Description and 1972 photograph of Sycolin Creek bridge in Williams, Appendix II, Bridges and Structures
• [http://www.hmdb.org/Photos/5/Photo5945o.jpg 2007 photograph of trail bridge over Goose Creek] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304095711/http://www.hmdb.org/Photos/5/Photo5945o.jpg |date=March 4, 2016 }}. In {{cite web |url=http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=2111 |title=Goose Creek Bridge |work=Photograph number 4 in "Diesel Trains on the W&OD" marker |author=Swain, Craig (photographer) |date=August 11, 2007 |publisher=HMdb: The Historical Marker Database|access-date=December 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151227011548/http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=2111 |archive-date=December 27, 2015|url-status=live }}
• [https://geocities.restorativland.org/Yosemite/Trails/9401/images/goose1.jpg Undated photograph of trail bridge over Goose Creek]
• Coordinates of path to view of piers and abutments of former railroad bridge over Goose Creek: {{coord|39.070235|-77.520037|type:landmark|format=dms|name=Trail to view of piers and abutments of former railroad bridge over Goose Creek}}
• Coordinates of path to view of span, piers and abutments of former railroad bridge over Sycolin Creek: {{coord|39.07209|-77.523018|type:landmark|format=dms|name=Trail to view of span, piers and abutments of former railroad bridge over Sycolin Creek}}[https://geocities.restorativland.org/Yosemite/Trails/9401/images/sycolin.jpg Undated photograph of trail bridge over Sycolin Creek]

The Sycolin Creek bridge bears the only remaining span that once carried trains of the W&OD Railroad. As the trail travels on the concrete deck of the bridge, visitors can only see the span and the structures below if they leave the trail.

The piers and abutments of the railroad's bridge over Tuscarora Creek are visible south of the trail near the east end of Leesburg. The bridge was the second longest ({{convert|149|ft}}) that the railroad built within the present boundaries of the regional park. The piers and abutments are the only ones along the trail's route that do not presently support a bridge.

Remnants of the facilities of a 19th-century lime company are visible in Leesburg on the northeast side of the trail, southeast of Harrison Street SE. Limestone (calcium carbonate) from a company quarry was mixed with coal and burned in a nearby kiln that was adjacent to the railroad's tracks. Quicklime (calcium oxide) was brought out of the kiln through two arched openings that visitors can see from the trail. The company also supplied farmers with agricultural lime and provided builders with lime plaster for walls and stone for roads.{{cite web|url=http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=2108|title="The Leesburg Lime Company" marker|work=HMdb: The Historical Marker Database|access-date=May 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227080355/http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=2108|archive-date=February 27, 2012|url-status=live}} In {{cite web|url=http://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?SeriesID=18|title=Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series|work=HMdb: The Historical Marker Database|access-date=May 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718175215/http://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?SeriesID=18|archive-date=July 18, 2011|url-status=live}}

Near the saddle point of Clarks Gap, a stone arch crosses over the trail. Constructed around 1867-1868 soon after the end of the Civil War, the masonry arch once carried the original VA 7 over the railroad's tracks at the railroad's highest point.Multiple sources:

• {{cite web|url=http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=2031|title="Clarkes Gap" marker|work=HMdb: The Historical Marker Database|access-date=May 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151227013825/http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=2031|archive-date=December 27, 2015|url-status=live}} In {{cite web|url=http://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?SeriesID=18|title=Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series|work=HMdb: The Historical Marker Database|access-date=May 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718175215/http://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?SeriesID=18|archive-date=July 18, 2011|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web |url=http://www.hmdb.org/Photos/5/Photo5726o.jpg|title=Close Up of the Bridge, East Side |work=Photograph number 4 in "Clarkes Gap" marker|last=Swain|first=Craig (photographer) |date=August 3, 2007|publisher=HMdb.org: The Historical Marker Database |access-date=December 25, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304082721/http://www.hmdb.org/Photos/5/Photo5726o.jpg |archive-date=March 4, 2016|url-status=live}} The arch now carries Dry Mill Road (VA 699) over the trail.

The Norfolk Southern Railway and its predecessors have donated three cabooses for display along the W&OD Trail.{{cite web |url=https://geocities.restorativland.org/Yosemite/Trails/9401/railroad.html|title=A Quartet of Cabooses in Remembering The W&OD Railroad |publisher=RailServe.com by Christopher Muller |date=February 14, 2007|access-date=August 6, 2010|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303065313/https://geocities.restorativland.org/Yosemite/Trails/9401/railroad.html|archive-date=March 3, 2021}} While none of these resemble the cabooses that once travelled along the route of the W&OD Railroad, two of the three cars house exhibits of materials relating to the W&OD Railroad and Trail.

A Southern Railway bay window caboose (number X441) within the Bluemont Junction Railroad Display in Arlington exhibits photographs, maps and other information related to the County's railroads and trolleys.{{cite web|url=http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=24924|title="Bluemont Junction" marker (Northern Virginia Regional Parks Authority)|publisher=HMdb: The Historical Marker Database|access-date=August 18, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151227011218/http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=24924 |archive-date=December 27, 2015|url-status=live}} In {{cite web|url=https://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?Search=Series&SeriesID=18|title="Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series|publisher=HMdb: The Historical Marker Database|access-date=August 18, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019020443/https://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?Search=Series&SeriesID=18|archive-date=October 19, 2020|url-status=live}}Multiple sources:

• {{cite web|url=http://jwamsley.smugmug.com/InandaroundArlington/Bluemont-Junction-Caboose/17739838_JcK2qS#1354257467_DVP9xxC |title=Bluemont Junction Caboose |work=In and Around Arlington Galleries |publisher=SmugMug, Inc.|last=Wamsley|first=J.|year=2011|access-date=February 28, 2016|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303231559/http://jwamsley.smugmug.com/InandaroundArlington/Bluemont-Junction-Caboose/17739838_JcK2qS|archive-date=March 3, 2016}} Photographs of interior and exterior of Southern Railway caboose in Bluemont Junction Railroad Display.
• {{cite web|author= ron4packers_tl|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229011159/https://www.traillink.com/trail-photo/washington-and-old-dominion-railroad-regional-park-(wod)_156051/|archive-date=December 29, 2019|url=https://www.traillink.com/trail-photo/washington-and-old-dominion-railroad-regional-park-(wod)_156051/|title=Old Caboose on WO&D, Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park (W&OD)|format=photograph|work=TrailLink|location=Washington, D.C.|publisher=Rails-to-Trails Conservancy|access-date=December 29, 2019|url-status=live}} Photograph of Southern Railway caboose in Bluemont Junction Railroad Display.
• {{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220215145354/https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Departments/Parks-Recreation/Locations/Parks/Bluemont-Junction-Park|archive-date=February 15, 2022|url=https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Departments/Parks-Recreation/Locations/Parks/Bluemont-Junction-Park|title=Bluemont Junction Park|publisher=Arlington County Department of Parks and Recreation |location=Arlington County, Virginia |access-date=December 31, 2023|url-status=live}} Photographs of exterior and interior of Southern Railway caboose and historical markers in Bluemont Junction Railroad Display.
• {{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060302221824/http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/ParksRecreation/scripts/facilities/ParksRecreationScriptsFacilitiesCaboose.aspx|archive-date=March 2, 2006|url=http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/ParksRecreation/scripts/facilities/ParksRecreationScriptsFacilitiesCaboose.aspx |title=Bluemont Junction Caboose|publisher=Arlington County Department of Parks and Recreation |location=Arlington County, Virginia|access-date=September 1, 2016|url-status=live}}
• {{cite AV media |publisher=consuarrider |url=http://s300.photobucket.com/albums/nn30/consularrider/?action=view¤t=BluemontCaboose.jpg&mediafilter=images |title=Bluemont Junction Caboose W&OD |via=Photobucket Corporation|date=February 8, 2009|access-date=February 27, 2016}}{{dead link|date=June 2023}} Photograph of Bluemont Junction Railroad Display.
• {{cite web|last=Swart |first=Randy |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060819015055/http://www.bscl.org/images/hrbcaboose.jpg |archive-date=August 19, 2006 |url=http://www.bscl.org/images/hrbcaboose.jpg |title=Photograph of Southern Railway caboose in Bluemont Junction Railroad Display |work=Arlington History Ride: A Self-Guided Tour of Arlington, Virginia, USA, for Bikers and Hikers |year=2007|publisher=Barcroft School and Civic League, Inc.|access-date=September 1, 2016}}
• {{cite web|last=Swain|first=Craig|url=http://www.hmdb.org/Photos/87/Photo87525o.jpg|title=Three Markers in front of an Old Caboose|work="Bluemont Junction" marker|publisher=HMdb: The Historical Marker Database |date=November 28, 2009|access-date=August 4, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112160727/http://www.hmdb.org/Photos/87/Photo87525o.jpg |archive-date=January 12, 2014|url-status=live}} Photograph of caboose in Bluemont Junction Railroad Display.
• {{cite news|author=Pyzyk, Katie (photographer) |url=http://www.arlnow.com/2012/02/21/morning-notes-413/|title=Photograph of one end of Bluemont Junction caboose |publisher=ARLnow|date=February 21, 2012|access-date=February 21, 2012|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120510165832/http://www.arlnow.com/2012/02/21/morning-notes-413/ |archive-date=May 10, 2012}} Staffed by a County park ranger, the caboose is open to the public on weekend afternoons from the Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.Trail sign near caboose, April, 2017. The display also contains outdoor signage and photographs that describe and illustrate the history of the W&OD Railroad and of its junction that once operated at the site of the exhibit, as well as a metallic crossbuck and a metallic marker post that was once located {{convert|1|mi|km|1|}} from a station.Multiple sources:
• {{cite web|url=http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=24988|title="Bluemont Junction, ca. 1934", marker|publisher=HMdb: The Historical Marker Database|access-date=August 24, 2010 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121015202024/http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=24988 |archive-date=October 15, 2012}} In {{cite web|url=http://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?SeriesID=18|title=Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series|work=HMdb: The Historical Marker Database|access-date=May 12, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718175215/http://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?SeriesID=18|archive-date=July 18, 2011|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|url=http://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?Town=Bluemont%20Junction&State=Virginia|title=Bluemont Junction Markers|publisher=HMdb: The Historical Marker Database|access-date=August 24, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016032129/http://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?Town=Bluemont%20Junction&State=Virginia|archive-date=October 16, 2012|url-status=live}} List containing links to web pages for six historical markers in and near the Bluemont Junction Railroad Display near the W&OD Trail in Arlington County
• {{cite web|first=Elizabeth |last=Bouchard |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120426071636/http://allaroundarlington.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bluemontparkcaboose2.jpg|archive-date=April 26, 2012 |url=http://allaroundarlington.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bluemontparkcaboose2.jpg|title=Bluemont Junction Caboose |work=All Around Arlington: #45 – Visit an old Southern Railway Caboose at Bluemont Junction|publisher=StudioPress |date=November 12, 2010 |access-date=February 27, 2016|url-status=live}} Photograph of Southern Railway caboose, historical marker, shed and cross buck in Bluemont Junction Railroad Display.
• {{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190712144449/https://parks.arlingtonva.us/locations/bluemont-junction-park/|archive-date=July 12, 2019|url=http://parks.arlingtonva.us/locations/bluemont-junction-park |title=Bluemont Junction Park|publisher=Arlington County Department of Parks and Recreation |location=Arlington County, Virginia |access-date=July 12, 2019|url-status=live}} Photographs of interior and exterior of Southern Railway caboose, historical markers and display of historical railroad photographs in Bluemont Junction Railroad Display.
• {{cite web|first=Barry|last= Ladwig|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229004446/https://www.traillink.com/trail-photo/washington-and-old-dominion-railroad-regional-park-(wod)_124249/|archive-date=December 29, 2019|url=https://www.traillink.com/trail-photo/washington-and-old-dominion-railroad-regional-park-(wod)_124249/|title=Bluemont Junction, Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park (W&OD)|format=photograph|work=TrailLink|location=Washington, D.C.|publisher=Rails-to-Trails Conservancy|access-date=December 29, 2019|url-status=live}} Three markers near W&OD Trail in Bluemont Junction Railroad Display each containing a part of a historical photograph of Bluemont Junction.

Adjacent to the Trail in Vienna, the Freeman Store houses a museum of the town's history.{{cite web|url=http://www.hmdb.org/Marker.asp?Marker=1643|title="Freeman Store and Museum" marker|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120312094949/http://www.hmdb.org/Marker.asp?Marker=1643|archive-date=March 12, 2012|date=March 12, 2012|publisher=HMdb: The Historical Marker Database|url-status=live}} In {{cite web|url=http://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?SeriesID=3|title=Virginia Civil War Trails Markers series|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610054915/http://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?SeriesID=3|archive-date=June 10, 2011|publisher=HMdb: The Historical Marker Database|url-status=live}} The museum contains maps, books and other materials that relate to the W&OD Railroad. Operated by Historic Vienna, Inc., the museum is open to the public during the afternoons of each week from Wednesdays through Sundays.{{cite web|url=https://historicviennainc.org/?page_id=544|title=Freeman Store and Museum|date=September 27, 2011 |publisher=Historic Vienna, Inc. |access-date=March 5, 2021|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127045931/https://historicviennainc.org/?page_id=544|archive-date=November 27, 2020}}

A cupola caboose near the Trail in Vienna Centennial Park contains a museum that houses materials that the W&OD Railroad once used.Photograph of Vienna caboose: {{cite web|last=Swain|first=Craig|url=http://www.hmdb.org/Photos/5/Photo5893o.jpg |title=Photograph of Caboose #503|work="Vienna Centennial Park" marker|publisher=HMdb: The Historical Marker Database|date=July 2, 2007 |access-date=August 4, 2011 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226231907/http://www.hmdb.org/Photos/5/Photo5893o.jpg |archive-date=December 26, 2015}} Staffed by members of the Optimist Club of Greater Vienna, bearing on its sides the name "WASHINGTON & OLD DOMINION RAILROAD" and numbered 503, the caboose is open to the public during the afternoons on selected weekends and holidays. Near the caboose is a historical marker, an NVRPA information sign, a metallic crossbuck on a wooden post and a metallic marker post that was once located {{convert|1|mi|km|1|}} from a station.Multiple sources:

• {{cite web |url=http://www.hmdb.org/Marker.asp?Marker=2089 |title="Vienna Centennial Park" marker |publisher=The Historical Marker Database |access-date=September 17, 2008 |quote=After repeal of the laws requiring manned cabooses in Virginia, the Norfolk Southern Corporation announced that it would donate cabooses to deserving organizations. The Town of Vienna received a caboose because of the importance of the railroad in Vienna's history and its plans for a Centennial celebration. .... Vienna's caboose was built in 1948 and weighs over 30 tons. It was renamed and renumbered as W&OD Caboose #503. Vienna Centennial Park and the caboose are within the boundaries of the W&OD Regional Trail right-of-way by permission of Virginia Power and the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012215453/http://www.hmdb.org/Marker.asp?Marker=2089 |archive-date=October 12, 2012|url-status=live}}
• Informational booklet containing photographs of the existing caboose, crossbuck and "Station 1 Mile" railroad marker in Vienna Centennial Park and of a wood caboose bearing the name "Old Dominion" and the number 502: {{cite web |url=http://www.optimistclubofgreatervienna.org/goopages/pages_downloadgallery/download.php?filename=11143.pdf&orig_name=caboosebooklet7-2page.pdf&cdpath=%2Ffilearchive%2Fcaboose%2Fcaboosebooklet7-2page.pdf  |title=Optimist Club of Greater Vienna W&OD Trail Caboose Museum |date=April 27, 2010 |publisher=Optimist Club of Greater Vienna |access-date=December 23, 2018 |quote=How old is this caboose? Answer. W&OD #503 is a newer all steel model built for the Norfolk and Southern Railroad in 1948 and moved here in 1990 as a community project and re-designated W&OD #503 as part of the town centennial. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181223011935/http://www.optimistclubofgreatervienna.org/goopages/pages_downloadgallery/download.php?filename=11143.pdf&orig_name=caboosebooklet7-2page.pdf&cdpath=%2Ffilearchive%2Fcaboose%2Fcaboosebooklet7-2page.pdf  |archive-date=December 23, 2018}}
• {{cite web |url=http://www.optimistclubofgreatervienna.org/caboose/viennacabooseevents2015.html |title=Caboose Open House Schedule: 2017 |publisher=Optimist Club of Greater Vienna |year=2017 |access-date=February 8, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170602164034/http://www.optimistclubofgreatervienna.org/caboose/viennacabooseevents2015.html |archive-date=June 2, 2017}}
• {{cite web |last=Francis |first=Doug |url=http://www.dougfrancis.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Caboose-Vienna-Virginia.jpg |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170208003851/http://www.dougfrancis.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/Caboose-Vienna-Virginia.jpg |archive-date=February 8, 2017 |date=May 2013 |title=Photograph of Vienna caboose, crossbuck and "Station 1 Mile" railroad marker |publisher=dougfrancis.com |access-date=February 8, 2017|url-status=live}} A metallic white railroad whistle post with black markings is located in Vienna Centennial Park on the north side of the Trail between Church Street NE and the caboose.

The W&OD Railroad station in Vienna houses a museum and a model railroad layout. Operated by the Northern Virginia Model Railroaders, Inc., the museum displays materials that the W&OD Railroad once used and a model of the station as it appeared when steam locomotives stopped at the station. The model railroad and museum is open to the public during the afternoon of one Saturday of each month except June and August.Multiple sources:

• {{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181013211709/http://www.nvmr.org/|archive-date=October 13, 2018|url=http://www.nvmr.org/ |title=Northern Virginia Model Railroaders, Inc. |location=Vienna, Virginia |access-date=October 28, 2018|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|last=Swain |first=Craig |date=July 2, 2007 |url=http://www.hmdb.org/Photos/5/Photo5901o.jpg |title=Photograph of Vienna Station |publisher=HMdb: The Historical Marker Database|access-date=July 23, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112160724/http://www.hmdb.org/Photos/5/Photo5901o.jpg |archive-date=January 12, 2014|url-status=live}}

File:Herndon W&ODCaboose.jpg

File:Herndon Depot1.jpg

File:W&OD Trail - An overlook of the Luck Stone Quarry 1.JPG

The W&OD Railroad station in Herndon houses the Herndon Depot Museum, which the Herndon Historical Society operates.{{cite web|url=http://herndonhistoricalsociety.org/museuminformation.html|title=Museum Information|work=The Herndon Historical Society|access-date=December 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181223005529/http://herndonhistoricalsociety.org/museuminformation.html|archive-date=December 23, 2018|url-status=live}} The museum, which is open on Sundays from noon to 3:00 p.m. from March to mid-December, displays photographs and newspaper articles relating to the history of the Town of Herndon and the W&OD Railroad.

The museum also contains materials that the railroad once used. The museum additionally contains information about the history of a nearby Norfolk and Western Railway cupola caboose whose sides bore the name and logo of the W&OD Railroad and the number 504 in 2006.Multiple sources:

• {{cite web |url=http://www.herndonhistoricalsociety.org/|title=The Caboose |work=The Herndon Historical Society|access-date=December 23, 2018|quote=In 1989, longtime Society member and railroad aficianado George Moore located a surplus Norfolk and Western caboose, arranged for it to be transported to Herndon, and coordinated with the Herndon Department of Public Works to install the section of track on which it sits. Located adjacent to the W&OD trail—formerly the W&OD railroad line—the caboose serves as a reminder of the town's rail history. Although the caboose is now the property of the Town of Herndon the Society continues to monitor its condition and to fund the interior maintenance. Following his death in 2003, the caboose was dedicated in George's memory. In 2008, the interior was restored and the windows were improved to make them water tight. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180813080208/http://www.herndonhistoricalsociety.org/ |archive-date=August 13, 2018|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|last=Prats|first=J. J. |url=http://www.hmdb.org/PhotoFullSize.asp?PhotoID=364|title=Photograph of Herndon Caboose |work="Tracks into History: The Washington and Old Dominion Railroad" marker|publisher=HMdb: The Historical Marker Database|date=March 10, 2006 |access-date=August 3, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024105429/http://www.hmdb.org/PhotoFullSize.asp?PhotoID=364 |archive-date=October 24, 2012|url-status=live}} A railroad whistle post is located near the caboose.Lipsky, Richard A., The Washington Post. Slide number 3 in slideshow in {{cite news|last=Fisher|first=Marc|date=April 24, 2008|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/21/AR2008042101280.html|title=A Slight Gap Where the Sidewalk Ends|work=Opinions: Columns & Blogs|publisher=The Washington Post|access-date=December 25, 2020|archive-date=October 29, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091029113224/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/04/21/AR2008042101280.html|url-status=live}}.

An overlook at the Luck Stone Quarry east of Goose Creek displays a large trap rock quarry.Multiple sources:

• {{cite web|last=McCray|first=Paul (former Manager, W&OD Regional Park)|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2008/06/11/VI2008061102438.html|title=Luck Stone Quarry overlook|format=video|work=Uenuma, F, "Two Decades Along the W&OD Trail"|publisher=The Washington Post|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121105110850/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2008/06/11/VI2008061102438.html|archive-date=November 5, 2012|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120526151404/http://www.luckstone.com/locations/leesburg-plant |archive-date=May 26, 2012|url=http://www.luckstone.com/locations/leesburg-plant|title=Leesburg Plant |publisher=Luck Stone |access-date=October 29, 2012 |url-status=live}} This mineral provides bulk for concrete, macadam and paving stones.Multiple sources:
• {{cite book|first1=Walter|last1=Lorenz|first2=Werner|last2=Gwosdz|title=Manual on the geological technical assessment of mineral construction materials: with 301 tables|series=Geologisches Jahrbuch/Sonderhefte/H, H. SH 15|location=Stuttgart, Germany|publisher=E. Schweizerbart|year=2004|oclc=76695693|isbn=3-510-95917-5}}
• {{cite web|first=Hobart M.|last=King|url=https://geology.com/articles/trap-rock/|title=Trap Rock|publisher=Geology.com|access-date=December 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190120023554/https://geology.com/articles/trap-rock/|archive-date=January 20, 2019|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191229040158/https://www.mindat.org/min-52524.html|archive-date=December 29, 2019|url=https://www.mindat.org/min-52524.html|title=Trap rock|publisher=Mindat.org|access-date=December 29, 2019|url-status=live}}

The W&OD Railroad station in Purcellville houses the Loudoun Visitors Center. The Visitors Center contains a W&OD Railroad historical display and hosts wine-tasting events. The Visitors Center is open from noon to 4:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays from late April through October.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411175636/http://www.visitloudoun.org/loudoun-visitors-center-purcellville-wine-tastings-information|archive-date=April 11, 2016|url=http://www.visitloudoun.org/Experience-Loudoun/Wine-Country/Wineries-Tasting-Rooms/Loudoun-Visitors-Center-in-Purcellville-Wine-Tastings-Information|title=Loudoun Visitors Center in Purcellville: Wine Tastings & Information |publisher=Loudoun Convention & Visitors Association (Visit Loudoun)|year=2016}}

Most of the landscaping in the park is left in a natural state to preserve green space and to provide wildlife habitat. Some natural areas within the park are contiguous to larger natural areas in adjacent public parks, including those in and around the Sparrow Pond wetland,Multiple sources:

• {{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061019062025/http://www.arlingtonva.us/NewsReleases/Scripts/ViewDetail.asp?Index=867 |archive-date=October 19, 2006 |url=http://www.arlingtonva.us/NewsReleases/Scripts/ViewDetail.asp?Index=867 |title=DEDICATION CEREMONY FOR SPARROW POND WETLAND SET FOR AUG. 24 |work=News Release |publisher=Government of Arlington County, Virginia |date=August 23, 2002 |access-date=February 27, 2016 }}
• {{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708025944/http://buckinghamheraldtrib.blogspot.com/2007/04/sparrow-pond-deluxe.html|archive-date=July 8, 2011|url=http://buckinghamheraldtrib.blogspot.com/2007/04/sparrow-pond-deluxe.html |last=Thurston |first=Steve |title=Sparrow Pond Deluxe: Sparrow Pond Dredging and the Unfortunate Beavers |work=The Buckingham Herald Tribblog |date=April 4, 2007 |access-date=April 9, 2012 |url-status=live}} Brandymore Castle{{cite web|url=http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=8180 |title="Brandymore Castle" marker |publisher=HMdb: The Historical Marker Database|access-date=August 23, 2010 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016031909/http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=8180 |archive-date=October 16, 2012}} In {{cite web|url=http://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?SeriesID=3|title=Virginia Civil War Trails Markers series|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610054915/http://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?SeriesID=3|archive-date=June 10, 2011|publisher=HMdb: The Historical Marker Database|url-status=live}} and Four Mile RunCoordinates of natural area near W&OD Trail and Four Mile Run in Glencarlyn Park in Arlington County: {{coord|38.861582|-77.118831|type:landmark|format=dms|name=Natural area in Glencarlyn Park}} in Arlington, Piney Branch and Difficult Run in Fairfax County,Coordinates of natural area near W&OD Trail and Piney Branch in Clarks Crossing Park in Fairfax County: {{coord|38.923793|-77.288926|type:landmark|format=dms|name=Natural area in Clarks Crossing Park}} and the confluence of Goose Creek and Sycolin Creek in Loudoun County.Coordinates of natural area near W&OD Trail and the confluence of Goose Creek and Sycolin Creek in Two Creeks Trail Area in Loudoun County: {{coord|39.070737|-77.518898|type:landmark|format=dms|name=Natural area near confluence of Goose Creek and Sycolin Creek}}

Park interpreters, local teachers, environmental groups and amateur naturalists use the park as a resource for plant and animal study. These groups have identified approximately 450 species of wildflowers and more than 100 species of birds in the park. Wildlife in the park includes mammals such as foxes, river otters and beavers, and reptiles such as turtles and snakes. A variety of hawks and owls and other resident, non-resident and migratory birds, both upland and aquatic, find habitat in the park.

File:W&OD Trail - After the Intersection @ Belmont Ridge Rd in Ashburn, VA going West.JPG

The W&OD Trail lies beneath a set of electric power transmission lines between its trailhead and the Dominion Energy's Pleasant View Substation in Loudoun County southeast of Leesburg.{{Cite news |last=Brice-Saddler |first=Michael |date=2025-03-25 |title=Dominion to pause cuts after felling thousands of trees on W&OD Trail |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2025/03/25/dominion-cut-trees-trail-fairfax/ |access-date=2025-03-26 |newspaper=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}} The power company removes trees along this section of the trail to protect its lines, at times eliciting protests from members of the public and elected officials in the impacted jurisdictions.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060929150833/http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/providence/W_OD_bm.htm|archive-date=September 29, 2006|url=http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/providence/W_OD_bm.htm|title=Joint Board Matter pertaining to clearance of vegetation near W&OD Trail|author1=Chairman Connolly |author2=Supervisors Smyth and Hudgins |work=Fairfax County Board of Supervisors|publisher=Fairfax County, Virginia, government|date=July 26, 2004|access-date=February 27, 2016}} Trees shade much of the remainder of the trail.

In 2004, Dominion Energy announced plans to extend its transmission lines in Loudoun County above ground from the Pleasant View Substation northwestward along the route of the W&OD Trail.Slideshow: {{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061013104501/http://www.dom.com/about/elec-transmission/powerline/westloudoun/pres_100504/sld001.htm|url=http://www.dom.com/about/elec-transmission/powerline/westloudoun/pres_100504/sld001.htm|archive-date=October 13, 2006 |title=Western Loudoun 230 kV Transmission Line Update, October 5, 2004|publisher=Dominion|access-date=September 7, 2011}} In response, on November 15, 2005, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted a resolution of continued opposition to the installation of the proposed transmission lines along the Trail.Multiple sources:

• {{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310110657/http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2005/nov/21/week-in-loudoun/ |archive-date=March 10, 2016 |url=http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/news/2005/nov/21/week-in-loudoun/ |title=Transmission Line Hearings |date=November 21, 2005 |work=Week in Loudoun |publisher=Connection Newspapers |access-date=July 11, 2013 |quote=
  The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors has adopted a resolution of continued opposition to the installation of a proposed Dominion Virginia Power transmission line along the Washington and Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail. The resolution, adopted unanimously by the Board Tuesday, Nov. 15, also calls for continued support of underground construction as the preferred method of installation.
  The Board's resolution states that ″Loudoun County and its citizens will be best served and least damaged″ if the proposed transmission facility is placed underground and not on the W&OD Trail. Dominion Virginia Power has filed an application with the State Corporation Commission (SCC) to construct a new 230,000–volt transmission line in western Loudoun County, from the Pleasant View substation to the Hamilton substation. |url-status=live}}
• {{cite web |last=Reyes |first=Denise, Deputy Clerk for the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors |url=http://inter4.loudoun.gov/controls/speerio/resources/RenderContent.aspx?data=9957826825aa459bbd69aa7c934279ef&tabid=313&fmpath=%2fBusiness+Meeting+Packets |title=Copy Teste: DOMINION VIRGINIA POWER TRANSMISSION LINE FROM THE PLEASANT VIEW SUBSTATION TO THE HAMILTON SUBSTATION |location=Leesburg, Virginia |work=Office of the County Administrator, Loudoun County, Virginia |publisher=Loudoun County, Virginia, Government |date=November 15, 2005 |quote=
  Whereas, Virginia Electric and Power Company d/b/a Dominion Virginia Power ("Dominion" or "Virginia Power") has caused to be filed an application (the "Application:") with the State Corporation Commission (the "Commission") for the installation of a 230kV transmission facility within Loudoun County between the existing Pleasant View Substation and a proposed substation to be located east of the Town of Purcellville (the "Hamilton Station"); .....
  Whereas, Loudoun County and its citizens will be best served and least damaged if the proposed transmission facility is placed underground and is not placed on the W&OD Regional Park (the "W&OD Trail") in any configuration; now, therefore,
  Be It Resolved that the Board of Supervisors of the County of Loudoun, Virginia, on behalf of the citizens of Loudoun County, will continue to oppose any installation of the proposed facility along the W&OD Trail; and will continue to support the underground installation of the proposed facility if it is to be located within the County or any independent political subdivision of the Commonwealth located within the County; and
  Be It Further Resolved that the Board of Supervisors will continue to work with the Town of Leesburg, other incorporated towns, state legislators, other stake holders, the Commission, The Virginia Department of Transportation and Virginia Power to achieve the purpose and intent of this Resolution, including the use of all legal means to ensure that any transmission facility is constructed in accordance with this Resolution |access-date=August 26, 2010 }}{{Dead link|date=April 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Citing the impending loss of trees along its trail, the NVRPA asked the public on December 13, 2005, to oppose Dominion Energy's application for the transmission line project in hearings that the State Corporation Commission (SCC) was planning to conduct as part of its review of the project.{{cite web|last=Buschow |first=Barry (NVRPA Board Member) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110722051331/http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/archive/index.php/t-2971.html |archive-date=July 22, 2011|url=http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/archive/index.php/t-2971.html |date=December 13, 2005 |title=Dear Friends and Supporters of the W&OD Trail: NVRPA open letter asking public to oppose transmission line project on W&OD Trail in Loudoun County |work=W&OD Needs Your Help Again |publisher=MORE - Mid Atlantic Off Road Enthusiasts |access-date=April 9, 2012 |url-status=live}} During 2005, 2006 and 2007, the NVRPA submitted testimony and briefs to the SCC that opposed the construction of transmission lines along the route of the trail.Multiple sources:

• {{cite web|url=http://www.scc.virginia.gov/docketsearch|title=NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL PARK AUTHORITY - PRE-FILED DIRECT TESTIMONY OF MR. HAFNER, MR. MCCRAY AND MR. SIMMONS, Parts 1-5|work=Case No. PUE-2005-00018, Virginia State Corporation Commission.|date=November 30, 2005|access-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928192916/http://www.scc.virginia.gov/docketsearch#caseDocs/120188|archive-date=September 28, 2017|url-status=live}} Obtained in {{cite web|url=http://www.scc.virginia.gov/docketsearch#search|title=Case Docket Search|publisher=Virginia State Corporation Commission|access-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928192916/http://www.scc.virginia.gov/docketsearch#search|archive-date=September 28, 2017|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|url=http://www.scc.virginia.gov/docketsearch/DOCS/1%236001!.PDF|title=NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL PARK AUTHORITY - POST HEARING BRIEF, Part 1|work=Case No. PUE-2005-00018|publisher=Virginia State Corporation Commission|date=September 18, 2006|access-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928192916/http://www.scc.virginia.gov/docketsearch|archive-date=September 28, 2017|url-status=live}} Obtained in {{cite web|url=http://www.scc.virginia.gov/docketsearch#search|title=Case Docket Search|publisher=Virginia State Corporation Commission|access-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928192916/http://www.scc.virginia.gov/docketsearch#search|archive-date=September 28, 2017|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|url=http://www.scc.virginia.gov/docketsearch/DOCS/1%236101!.PDF|title=NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL PARK AUTHORITY - POST HEARING BRIEF, Part 2|work=Case No. PUE-2005-00018, Virginia State Corporation Commission.|date=September 18, 2006|access-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928192916/http://www.scc.virginia.gov/docketsearch|archive-date=September 28, 2017|url-status=live}} In Case No. PUE-2005-00018, Virginia State Corporation Commission. Obtained in {{cite web|url=http://www.scc.virginia.gov/docketsearch#search|title=Case Docket Search|publisher=Virginia State Corporation Commission|access-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928192916/http://www.scc.virginia.gov/docketsearch#search|archive-date=September 28, 2017|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|url=http://www.scc.virginia.gov/docketsearch/DOCS/1%24g001!.PDF|title=NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL PARK AUTHORITY - DIRECT TESTIMONY ON REMAND OF KATHERINE H. RUDACILLE, CHARLES SIMMONS, DONALD E. ZIMAR, JASON H. GART, AND STEVEN A. STUDABAKER, Part 1|work=Case No. PUE-2005-00018, Virginia State Corporation Commission.|date=June 15, 2007|access-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929044846/http://www.scc.virginia.gov/docketsearch/DOCS/1%24g001!.PDF|archive-date=September 29, 2017|url-status=live}} Obtained in {{cite web|url=http://www.scc.virginia.gov/docketsearch#search|title=Case Docket Search|publisher=Virginia State Corporation Commission|access-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928192916/http://www.scc.virginia.gov/docketsearch#search|archive-date=September 28, 2017|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|url=http://www.scc.virginia.gov/docketsearch/DOCS/1%24g101!.PDF|title=NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL PARK AUTHORITY - DIRECT TESTIMONY ON REMAND OF KATHERINE H. RUDACILLE, CHARLES SIMMONS, DONALD E. ZIMAR, JASON H. GART, AND STEVEN A. STUDABAKER, Part 2|work=Case No. PUE-2005-00018|publisher=Virginia State Corporation Commission|date=June 15, 2007|access-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929044240/http://www.scc.virginia.gov/docketsearch/DOCS/1%24g101!.PDF|archive-date=September 29, 2017|url-status=live}} Obtained in {{cite web|url=http://www.scc.virginia.gov/docketsearch#search|title=Case Docket Search|publisher=Virginia State Corporation Commission|access-date=September 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928192916/http://www.scc.virginia.gov/docketsearch#search|archive-date=September 28, 2017|url-status=live}}

In January 2007, an SCC hearing examiner recommended the construction of an overhead transmission line that would follow a wooded segment of the W&OD Trail between Leesburg and Clark's Gap.{{cite web|last=Reyes|first=Denise, Deputy Clerk for the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160228063922/http://lfportal.loudoun.gov/LFPortalinternet/0/doc/149625/Electronic.aspx|archive-date=February 28, 2016|access-date=February 28, 2016|url=http://lfportal.loudoun.gov/LFPortalinternet/0/doc/149625/Electronic.aspx|title=Copy Teste: IN RE: PLEASANT VIEW — HAMILTON 230KV TRANSMISSION LINE|location=Leesburg, Virginia|work=Office of the County Administrator, Loudoun County, Virginia|publisher= Loudoun County, Virginia, Government|date=June 5, 2007}} After the SCC ordered the examiner to consider construction of an underground line along that segment of the trail, the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted on June 5, 2007, a resolution that supported the location of the line along that segment only if the SCC required Dominion to "install the line underground at a minimum width with the least amount of impact".

The SCC nevertheless approved on February 15, 2008, a transmission line route that would travel above ground for {{convert|1.8|mi}} along the same segment of the trail.Multiple sources:

• {{cite web|last=Peck |first=Joel H., Clerk of the State Corporation Commission |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102163250/http://www.dom.com/about/electric-transmission/westloudoun/pdf/finalorder.pdf|archive-date=January 2, 2010 |url=http://www.dom.com/about/electric-transmission/westloudoun/pdf/finalorder.pdf |title=A True Copy Teste: Final Order: Case No. PUE-2005-00018 |work=Pleasant View-Hamilton 230kV Line: SCC Approval Process: Final Order |publisher=Dominion |access-date=April 9, 2012 |url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102163127/http://www.dom.com/about/electric-transmission/westloudoun/pdf/approved_route.pdf|archive-date=January 2, 2010 |url=http://www.dom.com/about/electric-transmission/westloudoun/pdf/approved_route.pdf |title=Map of approved transmission line route |work=Pleasant View-Hamilton 230kV Line: Maps: environmental study area and the route |publisher=Dominion |access-date=June 13, 2012 |url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080305174727/http://www.dom.com/about/elec-transmission/powerline/westloudoun/sccapp.jsp |title=State Corporation Commission Application Process |url=http://www.dom.com/about/elec-transmission/powerline/westloudoun/sccapp.jsp |archive-date=March 5, 2008 |publisher=Dominion |access-date=September 7, 2011 |url-status=live}}
• Section of W&OD Railroad Regional Park approved for transmission line route: From W&OD Trail Mile 36.2 at coordinates {{coord|39.114029|-77.597283|type:landmark|format=dms|name=W&OD Transmission line route at Trail Mile 36.2}} to Trail Mile 38.0 at coordinates {{coord|39.137417|-77.609246|type:landmark|format=dms|name=Transmission line route at Trail Mile 38.0}}. Accessed March 21, 2008. The Commission's approval order stated that the SCC had adopted the Examiner's recommendation against underground construction "due to both the physical, and the cost to the ratepayers, of the impacts that would result therefrom."

Less than three weeks later, on March 4 and 5, 2008, the Senate and the House of Delegates of the Virginia General Assembly unanimously passed emergency legislation that ordered the SCC to approve the underground construction of the line along that segment of the trail as part of a statewide pilot program for the development of such types of transmission lines. Sponsored by Delegate Joe T. May (Republican - Loudoun),Multiple sources:

• {{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227133028/http://www.joetmay.com/|archive-date=February 27, 2012|url=http://www.joetmay.com/ |title=Website of Delegate Joe T. May |access-date=April 9, 2012}}
• {{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120209131602/http://dela.state.va.us/dela/MemBios.nsf/a7b082ef6ed01eac85256c0d00515644/c427a712743a64658525738a0052b633?OpenDocument|archive-date=February 9, 2012|url=http://dela.state.va.us/dela/MemBios.nsf/a7b082ef6ed01eac85256c0d00515644/c427a712743a64658525738a0052b633?OpenDocument |title=Virginia House of Delegates home page of Delegate Joe T. May |access-date=April 9, 2012 }} the legislation exempted the project from any requirements for further SCC analyses relating to the impacts of the route, including environmental impacts and impacts upon historical resources.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120201101604/http://www.dom.com/about/electric-transmission/westloudoun/pdf/hb1319.pdf|archive-date=February 1, 2012|url=http://www.dom.com/about/electric-transmission/westloudoun/pdf/hb1319.pdf |title=Text of H 1319 (2008 Virginia Acts of Assembly -- Chapter 799: "An Act to establish a pilot program to place certain transmission lines underground.") |work=Pleasant View-Hamilton 230kV Line: SCC Approval Process |publisher=Dominion |page=1 |quote=The Commission shall not be required to perform any further analysis as to the impacts of this route, including environmental impacts or impacts upon historical resources. |access-date=April 9, 2012 }}

The legislation went into effect when Virginia Governor Tim Kaine approved it on April 2, 2008.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160122035803/http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=081&typ=bil&val=hb1319&Submit2=Go |archive-date=January 22, 2016 |url=http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?ses=081&typ=bil&val=hb1319&Submit2=Go |title=Legislative history of HB 1319: "Underground transmission lines; pilot program established" |publisher=Virginia General Assembly |access-date=December 27, 2015 |url-status=live}} Soon afterwards, the power company asked the SCC to approve construction of the underground transmission line in accordance with the terms of the legislation. The SCC approved construction of the underground line on May 28, 2008.Multiple sources:

• {{cite web|last=Booth |first=Lisa S. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102163629/https://www.dom.com/about/electric-transmission/westloudoun/pdf/modified_request_042108.pdf|archive-date=January 2, 2010 |url=https://www.dom.com/about/electric-transmission/westloudoun/pdf/modified_request_042108.pdf |title=Modified Request of Virginia Electric Power Company To Participate in Pilot Project, and For Approval of Underground Transmission Line Construction, Under Section 2.A of HB1319 |publisher=Dominion |date=May 21, 2008 |access-date=December 7, 2012 |url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|last1=Jagdmann|first1=Judith Williams|last2=Christie|first2=Mark C.|last3=Dimitri|first3=James C.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160626064206/http://leg2.state.va.us/dls/h%26sdocs.nsf/By%20Year/RD3772008/%24file/RD377.pdf|archive-date=June 26, 2016|url=http://leg2.state.va.us/dls/h&sdocs.nsf/By+Year/RD3772008/$file/RD377.pdf|title=Pleasant View–Hamilton 230 kV Transmission Line|work=First Annual Report on the Pilot Program to Place Certain Transmission Lines Underground|pages=4–6|location=Richmond, Virginia|publisher=Commonwealth of Virginia State Corporation Commission|date=December 1, 2008|access-date=June 26, 2016}}

The NVRPA expected the project to result in a significant loss of trees, as the power company planned to dig trenches on each side of the paved trail while installing duct banks to house its conduits.{{cite web|url=http://www.nvrpa.org/documents/file/wodtrailprojectupdate.pdf|title=W&OD Trail Project Update: Underground Electric Transmission Lines: June 3, 2008|website= nvrpa.org|access-date=September 9, 2008}}{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=Corker1 |fix-attempted=yes }} Supporting the NVRPA's expectation, Dominion Energy noted that the environmental impacts associated with underground cable installation in suburban and rural areas are significantly greater than are those of overhead line construction.{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102041610/http://dom.com/about/electric-transmission/westloudoun/index.jsp|archive-date=January 2, 2010|title=Details on Underground Lines: Construction Impacts|url=http://www.dom.com/about/electric-transmission/westloudoun/index.jsp|work=Pleasant View-Hamilton 230kV Line|publisher=Dominion|access-date=September 7, 2011}} The W&OD Trail closed for a year in the project area while the power company constructed its underground lines. The trail reopened to the public in November 2010.{{cite web|title=Project Schedule |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120611111218/http://www.dom.com/about/electric-transmission/westloudoun/index.jsp|archive-date=June 11, 2012|url=http://www.dom.com/about/electric-transmission/westloudoun/index.jsp |work=Pleasant View-Hamilton 230kV Line |publisher=Dominion |access-date=April 9, 2012 }}

In 2024, Dominion Energy backed out of a voluntary agreement to limit tree cuttings to only those directly at risk of tangling with power lines, and began clearcutting trees with potential to grow over 15 feet.{{Cite web |last=Woolsey |first=Angela |date=2025-02-27 |title=NEW: Tree clear-cutting along W&OD Trail alarms local officials and residents |url=https://www.ffxnow.com/2025/02/27/new-tree-clear-cutting-along-wod-trail-alarms-local-officials-and-residents/ |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=FFXnow |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Taylor |first=Scott |date=2025-03-24 |title=Va. leaders not happy with Dominion Energy's plan to cut trees on historic 45 mile trail |url=https://wjla.com/features/i-team/virginia-washington-old-dominion-trail-falls-church-vienna-trees-dominion-energy-project-data-centers-lawmakers-loudoun-arlington-fairfax-county-residents-bike-nature |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=WJLA |language=en}} This drew condemnation from the boards of Fairfax, Arlington, and Loudoun counties, prompting Dominion Energy to pause the clearings in March 2025.{{Cite web |last=Flignor |first=Jacob |date=March 24, 2025 |title=Breakfast links: Northern Virginia county boards unite to save the trees |url=https://ggwash.org/view/98845/breakfast-links-northern-virginia-county-boards-unite-to-save-the-trees |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=GGWash |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Wenzelburger |first=Jared |date=2025-03-28 |title=Dominion Energy pauses tree cutting along W&OD Trail |url=https://www.fairfaxtimes.com/articles/dominion-energy-pauses-tree-cutting-along-w-od-trail/article_bfa73d36-f36b-44eb-aa72-50a8fee8b091.html |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=Fairfax County Times |language=en}}

In July 2020, NOVA Parks received a $650,000 grant from the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) that enabled NOVA Parks to make plans to extend the organization's "Dual Trails" project for {{convert|2|mi|km|1|abbr=on}} eastward from the City of Falls Church into Arlington County (from North Roosevelt Street to North Carlin Springs Road). Although NOVA Parks had asked NVTA for sufficient funds ($5,646,000) to complete the project, the NVTA awarded only the amount that NOVA Parks had requested for design, engineering and environmental work.Multiple sources:

• {{cite web|url=https://thenovaauthority.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/FINAL-20.07.09-FY2020-2025-SYP-Adoption-Press-Release.pdf|title=Northern Virginia Transportation Authority Adopts $539M Funding Program to Reduce Congestion Throughout Region|work=Press Release|date=July 9, 2020|location=Fairfax, Virginia|publisher=Northern Virginia Transportation Authority|access-date=July 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717023356/https://thenovaauthority.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/FINAL-20.07.09-FY2020-2025-SYP-Adoption-Press-Release.pdf|archive-date=July 17, 2020|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|url=https://www.arlnow.com/2020/07/10/four-arlington-transportation-projects-to-receive-regional-funding/|title=Four Arlington Transportation Projects to Receive Regional Funding|work=News|date=July 10, 2020|publisher=ARLnow|access-date=July 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200714093323/https://www.arlnow.com/2020/07/10/four-arlington-transportation-projects-to-receive-regional-funding/|archive-date=July 14, 2020|url-status=live|quote=Four major transportation projects in Arlington will receive tens of millions in regional funding, the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority announced today. ....
  W&OD Trail Enhancements in Arlington, which would widen a busy, two-mile stretch of the W&OD Trail in Arlington. The plan has been criticized by a group of tree and environmental advocates worried about tree removal and stormwater runoff.
  The project is only set to receive $650,000 of the requested $5.6 million, which would have covered the entire cost.}}
• {{cite web|url=https://thenovaauthority.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/NOV-002.pdf|title=Arlington W&OD Trail Enhancements|work=NVTA FY2020-2025 Six Year Program|date=March 5, 2020|location=Fairfax, Virginia|publisher=Northern Virginia Transportation Authority|access-date=July 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200606202507/https://thenovaauthority.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/NOV-002.pdf|archive-date=June 6, 2020|url-status=live}}
• {{cite news|url=https://www.insidenova.com/news/transportation/funding-approved-to-design-dual-use-segment-of-w-od-trail-in-arlington/article_0f1b343e-cf66-11ea-a2b6-ef72c02c91b0.html|title=Funding approved to design dual-use segment of W&OD Trail in Arlington|work=Transportation Notes|date=July 29, 2020|publisher=Sun Gazette Newspapers: Inside NOVA|access-date=October 10, 2021|quote=The Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NOVA Parks) didn't get all the funding it was seeking to create a dual-use trail on about two miles of the Washington & Old Dominion Regional Trail in Arlington. ....
  The Northern Virginia Transportation Authority included $650,000 for design of the project in its recently adopted six-year, $539 million spending package. That was far less than the $5.64 million sought by NOVA Parks to cover the cost of design and construction, with a goal of segregating walkers from bicyclists on the popular trail in an effort to improve safety and mitigate congestion.
  The decision represented a compromise, after Arlington officials received complaints from some residents about the proposal. County Board member Katie Cristol said the decision "will allow NOVA Parks to move forward" and come back for "a more substantive conversation on impacts" at a future date.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211010022526/https://www.insidenova.com/news/transportation/funding-approved-to-design-dual-use-segment-of-w-od-trail-in-arlington/article_0f1b343e-cf66-11ea-a2b6-ef72c02c91b0.html|archive-date=October 10, 2021|url-status=live}}

The reduced award followed an NVTA public comment period that attracted more than 300 responders. Most comments supported the expansion, although the majority of comments that NVTA could identify as coming from Arlington opposed it.{{cite web|url=https://thenovaauthority.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Summary-Report-FY2020-2025-SYP-Public-Comments-Revised-6.16.20.pdf|title=FY2020-2025 Six Year Program: Summary of Public Comments|pages=4, 9|date=June 16, 2020|location=Fairfax, Virginia|publisher=Northern Virginia Transportation Authority|access-date=July 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200717024251/https://thenovaauthority.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Summary-Report-FY2020-2025-SYP-Public-Comments-Revised-6.16.20.pdf|archive-date=July 17, 2020|url-status=live}}.

There have been plans to extend the trail west to Bluemont and the Appalachian Trail since the 1980s.{{cite news |title=The W&OD Trail Heads Towards The Mountains |url=https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1235160.html |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=January 21, 1998 |access-date=June 14, 2016 |archive-date=September 11, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160911110558/https://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1235160.html }}.{{cite news|last=Bates |first=Steve |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1990/11/08/trail-clears-hurdle/73f01306-aace-471f-81b7-5d8eef5061a3/|title=Trail Clears Hurdle|access-date=May 26, 2016 |newspaper=The Washington Post|date=November 8, 1990|quote=Park Authority officials first must decide where they want the trail extension to go. The linear park follows the right of way of the defunct Washington & Old Dominion Railway between Shirlington, near Interstate 395, and Purcellville. But the portion of the train line's old path that is west of Purcellville is privately owned and probably unavailable for the trail extension, park officials said.
The agency said it may try to find a new path through the rolling hills or, more likely, it may try to persuade the Virginia Department of Transportation to let it use part of the right of way along Route 7, which connects Purcellville and Bluemont|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804153229/https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1990/11/08/trail-clears-hurdle/73f01306-aace-471f-81b7-5d8eef5061a3/|archive-date=August 4, 2016|url-status=live}} Loudoun County's 2003 Bicycle and Pedestrian Mobility Master Plan and Virginia's 2013 and 2018 Outdoors Plans recommend such extensions.Multiple sources:

• {{cite web|url=https://www.loudoun.gov/DocumentCenter/Home/View/1071|date=October 20, 2003|title=Table 5-1: Primary Roads and Connecting Corridors|work=Loudoun County Bicycle and Pedestrian Mobility Master Plan: Chapter 5: Recommended Bicycle and Pedestrian Network: C. Network Development Priorities|location=Leesburg, Virginia|publisher=Loudoun County Government|page=47|access-date=June 14, 2016|quote=
  #11: Round Hill- Hamilton: Business Rt. 7: Link Towns via their Main Sts: Round Hill, Purcellville, & Hamilton. Improves access to Franklin Pk, W&OD Trail & local schools: Bikeway/walkway facility design will need to vary throughout this long & diverse corridor. Intersection design & multi- modal traffic flow are key;
  #12: Clarke County-Round Hill: Rt. 7: Link W&OD Trail & Round Hill w/Bluemont & Appalachian Trail. ROW acquisition may be necessary; selecting a bikeway facility may require a study.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160614195320/https://www.loudoun.gov/DocumentCenter/Home/View/1071|archive-date=June 14, 2016|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|url=http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/recreational-planning/document/vopall.pdf|page=10.97|title=Chapter 10 - Regional Recommendations: Region 8 - Northern Virginia: Regional Trails|work=2013 Virginia Outdoors Plan|publisher=Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation|location=Richmond, Virginia|access-date=June 14, 2016|quote=Complete the connection between the W&OD Trail and the Appalachian Trail and the connection between the W&OD Trail and White's Ferry. Upon completion, the connection and the W&OD Trail will be an effective east-west axis, linking the Chesapeake Bay with the Appalachian Mountains and serving as an intercounty connector for existing and developing trails throughout the region.|archive-date=June 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160614201450/http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/recreational-planning/document/vopall.pdf}}
• {{cite web|url=http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/recreational-planning/document/vopchapt08.pdf|page=8.5|title=Figure 8.7: Virginia's Proposed and Existing State Connecting Trails|work=2018 Virginia Outdoors Plan: Chapter 8: Trails|format=annotated map|location=Richmond, Virginia|publisher=Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation|quote=8n: W&OD Connector|access-date=February 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190206165443/http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/recreational-planning/document/vopchapt08.pdf|archive-date=February 6, 2019|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|url=http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/recreational-planning/document/voppd08.pdf|title=Regional Featured Projects|work=2018 Virginia Outdoors Plan: Region 8: Northern Virginia: Chapter 13: Regional Recommendations|page=13.47|location=Richmond, Virginia|publisher=Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation|quote=Implement the Washington and Old Dominion trail plan.|access-date=February 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190206171719/http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/recreational-planning/document/voppd08.pdf|archive-date=February 6, 2019|url-status=live}}.

However, difficulties in identifying a route and acquiring land have prevented construction of a trail along the W&OD Railroad's abandoned right-of-way west of Purcellville. Further, construction has occurred on a portion of the former right-of-way that travels through Round Hill.{{cite book|first=Ann Whitehead|last=Thomas|year=2004|title=A Story of Round Hill, Loudoun County, Virginia|page=224|location=Leesburg, Virginia|isbn=0-9724754-8-6|oclc=58973927|publisher=Friends of the Thomas Balch Library Inc.|quote=Home of Virginia Scott Lincoln "at the intersection of Jail [Cedar] Street and the Southern boundary of R. R. property." [LDB-14-G-1790, 4 December 1953] Built in 1942 by Robert Grayson on land purchased by him from E. C. Iden [LDB-11-P-106, 28 April 1942]}}

For those reasons, the Loudoun County government is no longer considering such a route. Instead, the County is now constructing a new trail that will travel between Purcellville and Round Hill along VA-7 (Business) when completed.

In 2019, the County solicited bids to build a {{convert|0.6|mi|km|1}} shared-use trail that would travel between Main Street (VA 719) in Round Hill and Franklin Park west of Purcellville along East Loudoun Street (VA-7 (Business)).{{cite news |title=Long-planned Round Hill Trail Projects Move Toward Construction |url=https://loudounnow.com/2019/09/09/town-county-bid-pedestrian-and-trail-projects/|access-date=March 19, 2020 |work=Loudoun Now |date=September 9, 2019}} Construction started on the project in 2020 and reached completion at a ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 27, 2022.Multiple sources:

• {{cite news|title=Park to Purcellville Trail Options Get Early Airing|url=https://loudounnow.com/2017/06/08/park-to-purcellville-trail-options-get-early-airing/|access-date=January 27, 2019|location=Leesburg, Virginia|work=Loudoun Now|date=June 8, 2017|via=Electronic Ink of Leesburg, VA|quote=
  Construction is about to start on another trail project that will link Franklin Park to the Town of Round Hill. That work comes after a decade of planning.}}
• {{cite web|url=https://loudoungis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=a676537165924c1a9332e822c2cf0a94|title=Active Project: Round Hill to Franklin Park Trail: Capital Projects Report: FY 2021 Oct - Nov - Dec: CAPITAL PROJECT REPORT|work=Capital Projects Active and Planned in Loudoun County: Adopted FY 2017- FY 2023|format=annotated map with links to PDF files|location=Leesburg, Virginia|publisher=Loudoun County, Virginia, Department of Transportation and Capital Infrastructure|access-date=March 18, 2021|quote=This project designs and constructs a mixed use trail from the center of the Town of Round Hill to Franklin Park. .... In this quarter, initiated Phase 1 and 2 cut and fill operations for the trail within Franklin Park, installed E&S controls along East Loudoun Street, relocated the water line at East Loudoun Street and began the storm water infrastructure at East Loudoun Street. In the next quarter, H&SS expects to continue Phase 1 and 2 cut and fill operations at the park. Storm water infrastructure along East Loudoun Street will continue, weather permitting. The 3Q FY 2020 report referenced a delay in the project construction completion from fall 2021 to winter 2020; this was an error. The report should have reported the construction completion delay as winter 2022.}}
• {{cite news|url=https://www.loudoun.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=7876&ARC=15014|title=Ribbon Cutting for Round Hill to Franklin Park Trail Project Set for September 27|work=County News|publisher=Loudoun County, Virginia, government|location=Leesburg, Virginia|date=September 13, 2022|access-date=December 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610073437/https://www.loudoun.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=7876&ARC=15014|archive-date=June 10, 2023|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|url=https://www.loudoun.gov/1397/Franklin-Park|title=Franklin Park|publisher=Loudoun County, Virginia, Department of Parks, Recreation and Community Services|location=Leesburg, Virginia|via=Government Websites by CivicPlus|access-date=February 6, 2019|quote=
  Franklin Park is a regional park in western Loudoun County. Its 203 acres of rolling hills harbor majestic views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. .... The park opened on July 4, 1998, and offers a wide variety of outdoor activities.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190206205508/https://www.loudoun.gov/1397/Franklin-Park|archive-date=February 6, 2019|url-status=live}} That section of the trail will connect to a trail under design that will travel along West Main Street (VA 7 (Business)) to connect Franklin Park and downtown Purcellville. County planners estimated in 2023 that the Franklin Park - Purcellville trail would reach substantial completion during the spring of 2028.Multiple sources:
• {{cite news|title=Park to Purcellville Trail Options Get Early Airing|url=https://loudounnow.com/2017/06/08/park-to-purcellville-trail-options-get-early-airing/|access-date=January 27, 2019|location=Leesburg, Virginia|work=Loudoun Now|date=June 8, 2017|via=Electronic Ink of Leesburg, VA|quote=
  About two dozen Purcellville area residents gathered at Emerick Elementary School on Wednesday night to learn more about plans to build a pedestrian and bicycle trail between the town and Franklin Park. ..... Now, the planners are looking at a 1.1-mile route from the park's swimming pool complex, following along Tranquility Road and then connecting with the sidewalk on Main Street at South 32nd Street. The main question is whether the path would be built on the north or south side of Rt. 7 Business/Main Street.}}
• {{cite web|url=https://loudoungis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=a676537165924c1a9332e822c2cf0a94|title=Active Project: Franklin Park to Purcellville Trail: Capital Project Report: FY 2021 Oct - Nov - Dec|work=Capital Projects Active and Planned in Loudoun County: Adopted FY 2017- FY 2023|format=annotated map with links to PDF files|location=Leesburg, Virginia|publisher=Loudoun County, Virginia, Department of Transportation and Capital Infrastructure|access-date=March 18, 2021|quote=This project provides funding to develop a trail alignment and preliminary design for a recreation trail from Franklin Park to the Town of Purcellville. .... In this quarter, the design consultant, Dewberry, analyzed options for the proposed trail to cross West Main Street (Business Route 7) at Tranquility Lane and preparations for a future public information meeting continued. In the next quarter, DTCI staff will schedule a public information meeting for the project. Since there are tight ROW and utility constraints associated with the proposed trail, additional time has been required to analyze alternative alignment options. As a result, the completion of the design phase has been delayed from fall 2020 to fall 2021.}}
• {{cite web|url=https://www.loudoun.gov/5661/Franklin-Park-to-Purcellville-Trail|title=Franklin Park to Purcellville Trail|work=Projects, Studies & Plans|publisher=Loudoun County, Virginia, government|location=Leesburg, Virginia|access-date=December 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230604034941/https://www.loudoun.gov/5661/Franklin-Park-to-Purcellville-Trail|archive-date=June 4, 2023|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|url=https://www.purcellvilleva.gov/1010/Franklin-Park-to-Purcellville-Trail|title=Franklin Park to Purcellville Trail|work=Hot Topics and Important Issues|publisher=Town of Purcellville, Virginia, government|location=Purcellville, Virginia|access-date=December 31, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230801100334/https://www.purcellvilleva.gov/1010/Franklin-Park-to-Purcellville-Trail|archive-date=August 1, 2023|url-status=live}}

File:Diagram of NOVA-TRAC's W&OD rail trail proposal.jpg

The advocacy group NOVA-TRAC has proposed utilizing the W&OD right-of-way to construct a commuter rail line from Purcellville and Leesburg to WMATA's East Falls Church station, where riders can transfer to the Orange and Silver lines.{{Cite web |last=Augenstein |first=Neal |date=2025-04-07 |title=Advocates push to build commuter rail to western Loudoun Co. along W&OD trail |url=https://wtop.com/local/2025/04/advocates-push-to-build-commuter-rail-to-western-loudoun-co-along-wod-trail/ |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=WTOP News |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Ryan |date=February 7, 2025 |title=Commuter rail to Loudoun: The next chapter |url=https://ggwash.org/view/98370/commuter-rail-to-loudoun-the-next-chapter |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=GGWash |language=en}} In February 2025, the town of Hamilton passed a resolution calling for a feasibility study of the proposal.{{Cite web |last=Pampaloni |first=Hanna |date=2025-04-04 |title=Hamilton Resident Proposes Building Train Along W&OD |url=https://www.loudounnow.com/news/loudoun/hamilton-resident-proposes-building-train-along-w-od/article_61d41b8a-2dab-479d-91ba-f20490c0d49e.html |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=LoudounNow |language=en}}

• Cycling infrastructure
• List of rail trails in Virginia
• {{Interlanguage link|Bluemont Junction Park|qid=Q124654665}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite book|last=Harwood|first=H.H. Jr.|url=http://www.scc.virginia.gov/docketsearch/DOCS/198p01!.PDF |title=Rails to the Blue Ridge: The Washington and Old Dominion Railroad, 1847 — 1968 |edition=3rd |location=Fairfax Station, Virginia|publisher=Northern Virginia Parks Authority|date=April 2000 |oclc=44685168 |isbn=0-615-11453-9 |lccn=77104382 |pages=19–144|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928181826/http://www.scc.virginia.gov/docketsearch/DOCS/198p01!.PDF |archive-date=September 28, 2017}}

:In Appendix K of NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL PARK AUTHORITY - PRE-FILED DIRECT TESTIMONY OF MR. HAFNER, MR. MCRAY AND MR. SIMMONS, November 30, 2005 (Part 5), Case No. PUE-2005-00018, Virginia State Corporation Commission. Obtained in {{cite web|url=http://www.scc.virginia.gov/docketsearch#search|title=Case Docket Search|publisher=Virginia State Corporation Commission|access-date=September 28, 2017}}

• {{cite web|last=Neville|first=Ashley M. (Gray & Pape, Inc., Richmond, Virginia) |url=http://www.scc.virginia.gov/docketsearch/DOCS/198_01!.PDF|title=Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Historic District (Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) No. 053-0276)|work=United States Department of the Interior: National Park Service: National Register of Historic Places Registration Form (NPS Form 10-900)|date=July 25, 2000 |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170928171959/http://www.scc.virginia.gov/docketsearch/DOCS/198_01!.PDF |archive-date=September 28, 2017}}

:In Appendix J of NORTHERN VIRGINIA REGIONAL PARK AUTHORITY - PRE-FILED DIRECT TESTIMONY OF MR. HAFNER, MR. MCRAY AND MR. SIMMONS, November 30, 2005 (Part 4), Case No. PUE-2005-00018, Virginia State Corporation Commission. Obtained in {{cite web|url=http://www.scc.virginia.gov/docketsearch#search|title=Case Docket Search|publisher=Virginia State Corporation Commission|access-date=September 28, 2017}}

• {{cite book|last=Williams|first=Ames|year=1970|title=The Washington and Old Dominion Railroad|publisher=Meridian Sun Press|location=Alexandria, Virginia|isbn=978-3-510-95917-4|oclc=240192}}

{{Commons category-inline|Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park}}

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• {{cite web|url=https://www.novaparks.com/parks/washington-and-old-dominion-railroad-regional-park|title=Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park|location=Ashburn, VA|publisher=NOVA Parks|access-date=September 27, 2017}}
• [http://www.wodfriends.org/ The Friends of the Washington & Old Dominion Trail official website] Retrieved September 27, 2017.
• {{cite web|url=http://geocities.com/Yosemite/Trails/9401|title=Unofficial Page of The Washington & Old Dominion Trail|publisher=RailServe.com by Christopher Muller|date=May 30, 2009|access-date=August 5, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050324091509/http://geocities.com/Yosemite/Trails/9401|archive-date=March 24, 2005|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|url=http://geocities.com/Yosemite/Trails/9401/biketrails.html|title=Intersecting Bike Trails|publisher=Unofficial Page of The Washington & Old Dominion Trail|date=May 30, 2009|access-date=August 5, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050324091509/http://geocities.com/Yosemite/Trails/9401/biketrails.html|archive-date=March 24, 2005|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|author=Heil, Jeffrey |url=http://yellowbiketales.blogspot.com/2008/02/washington-old-dominion-trail-in.html|title=Washington & Old Dominion Trail in Virginia|work=yellowbiketales|date=February 13, 2008|access-date=December 15, 2010}} Description of W&OD Trail and surrounding areas, published in Spokes, September 2006.
• [https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/video/2008/06/11/VI2008061102438.html Paul McCray (former Manager, W&OD Regional Park) discussing history of W&OD Trail in Uenuma, F, "Two Decades Along the W&OD Trail", The Washington Post video] in [https://web.archive.org/web/20130719044058/http://www.washingtonpost/ The Washington Post] Retrieved June 20, 2008.
• Ride Bicycle USA (October 13, 2020). {{YouTube|el8zVF_mMcA|Electric tricycle ride from Purcellville to Columbia Pike in Arlington along the W&OD Trail}} (video - 3:03:13 hours)
• [http://www.hmdb.org/results.asp?SeriesID=18 "Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Markers" series] in HMdb: The Historical Marker Database. Photographs and descriptions of NVRPA markers and other markers along and near the W&OD Trail.
• [http://tutsan.forest.net/trails/FMPro?-db=nrt.fp5&-format=traildetail.htm&-lay=allfields&Trail%20name=Washington%20and%20Old%20Dominion&-op=eq&Trail%20state=VA&-recid=32913&-find= Washington and Old Dominion Trail] in [https://web.archive.org/web/20080422162111/http://tutsan.forest.net/trails/ National Recreation Trails Database] in [https://web.archive.org/web/20080429210708/http://americantrails.org/default.htm American Trails website]

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• {{cite web|url=https://www.novaparks.com/parks/washington-and-old-dominion-railroad-regional-park/wod-interactive-map|title=Interactive street map of the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Trail|work=Washington And Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park|publisher=NOVA Parks|access-date=March 6, 2021|archive-date=February 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210228145440/https://www.novaparks.com/parks/washington-and-old-dominion-railroad-regional-park/wod-interactive-map}} Interactive map showing mile markers, points of interest and other features near and along the trail.
• {{cite web|url=https://www.novaparks.com/sites/default/files/maps/WODMap.pdf|title=Map of the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Trail|publisher=NOVA Parks|access-date=September 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929162927/https://www.novaparks.com/sites/default/files/maps/WODMap.pdf|archive-date=September 29, 2017|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|url=https://www.traillink.com/trail-maps/washington-and-old-dominion-railroad-regional-park-(wod)/|title=Map of Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park (W&OD)|work=TrailLink|publisher=Rails-to-Trails Conservancy|access-date=June 7, 2017}} Google street map and satellite image of the W&OD Trail showing locations of parking areas and other trail features.
• {{cite web|url=http://www.hmdb.org/Photos/6/Photo6780o.jpg|format=photograph|title=Map of the Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Trail|work=NOVA Parks marker at trailhead of W&OD Trail in Shirlington|last=Meyer|first=Roger Dean (Yankton, South Dakota)|date=September 8, 2007|access-date=September 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170927233130/http://www.hmdb.org/Photos/6/Photo6780o.jpg|archive-date=September 27, 2017|url-status=live}} In {{cite web|url=http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=2406|title=Washington and Old Dominion Trail" marker|publisher=HMdb: The Historical Marker Database|access-date=September 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929170130/https://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=2406|archive-date=September 29, 2017|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150113080155/http://www.wodfriends.org/map1.html|archive-date=January 13, 2015|url=http://www.wodfriends.org/map1.html|title=Map of the W&OD Trail|date=March 2002|publisher=The Friends of the Washington & Old Dominion Trail}} Interactive map of entire W&OD Trail and trail segments showing mileages and features along trail.
• {{cite web|last=Tarasov|first=Dimitri|date=June 5, 2013|url=http://www.wodfriends.org/maps/MainMap.html|title=Map of the W&OD Trail|publisher=The Friends of the Washington & Old Dominion Trail|access-date=September 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170927214351/http://www.wodfriends.org/maps/MainMap.html|archive-date=September 27, 2017|url-status=live}} Interactive map of entire W&OD Trail and trail segments showing mileages, elevations and features along trail.
• {{cite web|url=http://www.wodfriends.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/elevations_at_mileposts.jpg|title=W&OD Trail Elevations|publisher=The Friends of the Washington & Old Dominion Trail|access-date=September 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170927220743/http://www.wodfriends.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/elevations_at_mileposts.jpg|archive-date=September 27, 2017|url-status=live}} Graphical representation of elevations at mileposts on the W&OD Trail (measured during 2012 - 2013),
• {{cite web|url=http://www.wodfriends.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/elevation_table-landmarks.pdf|title=W&OD Trail Heights Above Sea Level|year=2015|publisher=The Friends of the W&OD Trail|access-date=July 24, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150921221818/http://www.wodfriends.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/elevation_table-landmarks.pdf|archive-date=September 21, 2015|url-status=live}} Updated (2012-2013) table of elevations at mileposts and landmarks along the W&OD Trail
• {{cite web|url=http://www.rundc.com/Trails/VA/WODMap.htm|title=Topographic map of Washington & Old Dominion Trail|work=Running Around Town: Washington, D.C.|first=Nadim|last=Ahmed|year=1999|access-date=September 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929160317/http://www.rundc.com/Trails/VA/WODMap.htm|archive-date=September 29, 2017}}
• {{cite web|url=http://www.rundc.com/Trails/VA/WOD.htm|title=Table of mileages along Washington & Old Dominion Trail|work=Running Around Town: Washington, D.C.|first=Nadim|last=Ahmed|year=1999|access-date=September 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929161145/http://www.rundc.com/Trails/VA/WOD.htm|archive-date=September 29, 2017}}
• {{cite web|url=http://bikewashington.org/trails/wad/wad.htm|title=Washington & Old Dominion Trail|publisher=BikeWashington.org|access-date=September 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050812235611/http://www.bikewashington.org/trails/wad/wad.htm|archive-date=August 12, 2005|url-status=live}} Maps and descriptions of entire W&OD Trail and trail segments, showing connecting trails.

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