1907 - Railroads at Loggerheads

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Roanoke Times - December 20, 1907

RAILROADS AT LOGGERHEADS

Threats of Taking Up Track and Counter Threats of Injunction

   Blacksburg, Va., Dec. 19 - Special - The Tidewater and Virginia 
Anthracite railroads, the latter a short line connecting Blacksburg 
with the main line of the Norfolk and Western at Christiansburg, are 
at loggerheads and six hundred V. P. I. students, thirty members of 
the faculty, and others who leave here for the holidays the last of 
this week are confronted with the possibility of having either to 
walk to Christiansburg or drive the eight miles in hacks over a muddy 
road. There are only two livery stables in Blacksburg, and since the 
railroad has been in operation these paid little attention to hauling 
passengers, and are not at all prepared to handle any such crowds.
   Some time last summer the Tidewater bought a small piece of track 
from the Anthracite at the junction of the two road nears the 
Merrimac mines for which they paid cash. This was done to save the 
construction of the longer track that would have been necessary had 
the two roads crossed any other point. The Anthracite road then did 
the grading for another piece of track to take the place of the old 
one sold, but the work stopped there and they continued to use the 
Tidewater's property. The latter gave them due notice that this must 
stop December 15th, but granted them three days after that date to 
get their track in shape. This has not been done, and last night 
officials of the Tidewater notified the local road that after 
midnight tonight the track would be taken up and further use of it 
would be impossible. The Anthracite people say they will transfer the 
passengers, but as they have but two cars that would not help matters 
much, and would be the greatest inconvenience and cause of delay.
   None of the railroad officials will say just what plan is 
contemplated by either road, but it is generally understood that the 
Anthracite has applied for an injunction to be served on the 
Tidewater either tonight or tomorrow morning, restraining them from 
interfering with the short line in the discharge of its duties as a 
common carrier, and on the ground that it will interfere with the 
carrying of the United States mail. Whether this would be effective 
or can be secured is doubtful.
   The road from Blacksburg to Christiansburg was put in operation 
three years ago, and has done a fine freight and passenger business. 
Of late the road has apparently been crippled for want of funds, and 
the Merrimac mines have practically shut down. Many profess to see in 
the present move of the Tidewater the first step in a scheme to 
secure control of the road, but on the other hand the Norfolk and 
Western would find it valuable as a feeder for their line both as to 
passenger and freight service, and for the valuable minerals that lie 
along the road and for the possibility of extension into the rich 
farming section on both sides of Montgomery and in the adjacent counties.

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- Ron Davis, Roger Link