It is interesting the Chesapeake & Ohio chose to carry a slogan, " George Washington's Railroad" when our nation's first president had no direct ties to the company and died more than three-decades before its first predecessor was ever chartered. Why The Name, "George Washington's Railroad?"
This town lay within the beautiful New River Gorge and rails snaked their way along the waterway until reaching Gauley Bridge where it became the Kanawha River. The railroad followed the Covington & Ohio's routing, reaching Ronceverte along the banks of the Greenbrier River before turning north from Hinton. In 1869, just after this project was completed, Huntington pumped new life into the C&O by funding its push towards the west. After hostilities ended in May of 1865 crews needed until July 23rd to get the road back in service.Įnter Collis Huntington, who is best remembered for his work in building the western leg of the Transcontinental Railroad. The Virginia Central was a vital asset for the Confederacy during the conflict but was heavily damaged by both sides. Unfortunately, the Civil War broke out in 1861 and further construction ceased. The Blue Ridge Railroad was leased by the VC in 1858 as it looked to finally reach Covington. The bore became an Historic Civil Engineering Landmark and remained in use until 1942 when the C&O opened a new tunnel to replace the original. It was located at Rockfish Gap and spanned 4,237 feet, opening for service in 1858. This line's most impressive engineering feature was the Blue Ridge Tunnel (also known as the Crozet Tunnel) designed by engineer Claudius Crozet. In 1857 the VC had expanded as far westward as Jackson's River Station near present-day Clifton Forge via Gordonsville, Charlottesville, and Staunton offering it a network of around 192 miles.Įven before the Louisa Railroad had been renamed the state stepped in to assist its future westward extension by chartering the Blue Ridge Railroad in 1849 to tackle the Blue Ridge Mountains.
In 1850 the company was renamed the Virginia Central as its promoters eyed expansion across the state and even further west. Its Piedmont region could support diverse types of agriculture, which persists through today, and the Louisa was utilized by farmers to ship their products to market. The Virginia Commonwealth of the early 19th century was a forward-thinking state and a big proponent of railroads, realizing their potential in opening trade and economic opportunities not only within its own borders but also beyond. Sportsman : (Washington/Newport News - Cincinnati/Detroit) Resort Special: Originally served Chicago and Petoskey but later connected Washington with White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia. Pere Marquette: (Detroit-Grand Rapids, Chicago-Grand Rapids/Muskegon, and Detroit-Saginaw) The Chessie ( Never Launched): (Washington - Cincinnati) George Washington : (Washington/Newport News - Cincinnati/Louisville) : (Washington/Newport News - Cincinnati/Louisville)
0 kommentar(er)
