1908 - Railway Officials Leave

[NW Mailing List]

Roanoke Times - March 31, 1908

RAILWAY OFFICIALS LEAVE

Will Visit Today the New Route From Forest to Concord

   Officials of the Norfolk and Western railway will leave Roanoke 
this morning for the purpose of inspecting the new route that runs 
from Forest to Concord. This is what is usually known as the 
Forest-Concord cut-off. On last Saturday, the last connecting link in 
this line was established, and now the road is practically ready for 
use. If the officials find everything in good shape, which will 
doubtless prove to be the case, the line will be opened for traffic 
in the near future.
   This cut-off leaves Forest and bearing to the right goes directly 
through the country, striking Lynchburg in its southern suburbs. It 
then touches the Lynchburg and Durham parallels it to a certain 
extent for a short distance and then makes a bee line for Concord, 
passing directly behind that town and connecting with the present 
main line a short distance east of Concord.
   By the construction of this cut-off the Norfolk and Western has 
secured what promises to be one of the greatest improvements that it 
has made for a long time. In its operation, there will be an immense 
saving both in time and money. As is well known, the present main 
line encounters heavy grades in going up what is known as the Concord 
Hill, about six miles long, and in leaving Lynchburg coming west. The 
cut-off is on a practical level, being several hundred feet above 
James River where it passes Lynchburg. For a long time past, extra 
engines have been used to help in taking trains up the Concord grade.
   The cut off has been constructed so that it can be easily 
converted into a double track road, if this plan should ever be decided upon.

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- Ron Davis, Roger Link