Prepayment: C&O License Plate through WV - DMV (must reach minimum of 100)
Following a series of meetings and approvals with the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles, the C&O Historical Society has been authorized to collect pre-orders for a special license plate in the Mountain State honoring the history and legacy of the C&O Railway and its famous mascot, Chessie the Railroad Kitten. Following the first 100 pre-orders for our Chesapeake & Ohio license plate, the WV DMV will formalize our design and begin production and distribution.
In addition to showcasing our pride in C&O history, as our non-profit organization seeks to grow and reach new audiences, having a special license plate visible on the roads throughout West Virginia will introduce the Society and its mission to more people than ever before.
To qualify, applicants must have a West Virginia-titled passenger vehicle. An applicant can submit pre-orders for multiple vehicles from their household, if they choose. For these new pre-order applications, West Virginia drivers will complete and submit available documentation, downloadable from this page, along with payment, directly to the C&O Historical Society in Clifton Forge, Virginia.
If our 100-order quota is not met within six months, all monies will be immediately refunded to all applicants.
The included artwork is an early mockup of the actual license plate design that will be formalized by the C&O Historical Society and the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles. Final design will vary slightly. For example, the way that "West Virginia" appears on the actual license plate will conform to new statewide standards; the font will be consistent with Department of Tourism branding. In addition, rather than the word "SAMPLE," the plate's final numbering format would include an alphabetic prefix, likely "CO," and a sequential four-digit number.
Border to border, the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway's heritage in West Virginia runs deep. Please help us showcase this railroad history from the Mountain State's highways to its country roads. With just 100 pre-orders, Chessie's Road will have a permanent legacy and the C&O Historical Society's mission will be visible to the public for decades to come.
Mail your check and the filled out application from the download below to:
C&O Historical Society
ATTN: WV Railway Heritage Plate
312 East Ridgeway Street
Clifton Forge, VA 24422
540-862-2210
Pay by check only.
