1907 - A Proposed Railroad

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Roanoke Times - May 7, 1907

RAILROAD NOTES

A Proposed Railroad

   Charlotte, N. C., May 6 -- During the last session of the North Carolina
legislature Mr. R. A Doughton, of Alleghany county, secured a charter for a
railroad from Elkin, Surry county, via Sparta, Alleghany county to the Virginia
line, near Mouth-of-Wilson, where it will connect most conveniently with the
Norfolk & Western road, extended from Troutdale, Grayson county, to which place
the N. & W. road has already built from Marion, Va. From Troutdale to Elkin is
50 miles, and the survey passes through Grayson, Virginia, and Alleghany and
Surry, North Carolina.
   About $100,000 will have been subscribed for the line from Elkin to the
Virginia border within the next 60 days. On the 15th of June 100 convicts from
the State prison are to be put to grading in Surry and Alleghany counties, and
the actual work of building the proposed road will commence. All arrangements
have been made and the construction will be pushed.
   The people of Iredell and Davie counties have voted subsidies approximating
$300,000 for a road to Surry county. This sum will more than grade the 40 miles
from Statesville to Elkin. The citizens of these North Carolina counties are in
earnest. The road from Elkin to Statesville would give those towns a connection
with the Norfolk & Western by the new line to Troutdale.
   A road from Statesville to Marion, Va., by Elkin, Sparta and Troutdale would
bring coal from Bluefield, West Virginia. It is not a short distance 
from Marion
to Bluefield.
   Manufactures and others of Charlotte will be interested in this railroad
project. From Statesville to Charlotte it is but 44 miles and the 
former town is
on the bee line from Elkin to Charlotte. Hauling coal is quite an item nowadays
and the manufacture of the piedmont region will welcome any 
connection that will
bring fuel direct from the mines. From Marion to Morristown, Tenn., or to
Roanoke, Va., is the way that Bluefield coal reaches Charlotte now. With the
proposed line in operation it would come straight from Marion. The distance,
either from Marion to Morristown or Roanoke, is greater than that 
from Marion to
Elkin. Therefore, the haul to Charlotte would be very materially shortened.
   There would be no trouble to get a big line to operate the new road. The
Southern, the Pennsylvania and the Norfolk & Western are ready to bid for the
contract.


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- Roger Link