This fourth volume in the West Virginia Railroads series tells the
story of the Virginian Railway within the state. Built late in the
railway era, it was intended for the almost exclusive haulage of coal
from West Virginia mines to Norfolk, Virginia. The Virginian operated a
136 mile electrified mainline, much of it through its West Virginia
territory, which improved operations over steam power. Because of its
lack of passenger and general freight, and concentration on coal, it had
a reputation as an unmatched money-maker. Organized in 1907, it was
absorbed by Norfolk & Western in 1959.
The book has over 175 photos, maps, track plans and tables that
illustrate operations as well as full sections on electric operations,
steam motive power, passenger service (of which VGN had little), and
data on each of its various branches in the coal fields. Many have not
been published before.
