About 35 years after Southern Railway abandoned it, this is the last section where the rails remain on the line that connected Bristol and Gate City, VA through Benhams, Mendota and Hiltons. NS trains have to travel about 125 miles via Bulls Gap, Tn to go through Bristol vs the appx. 25 miles it took on this old route. For information on the planned bicycle and hiking trail on this route go to www.mendotatrail.org
