Virginia & Tennessee RR - 1874 Map

[NW Mailing List]

Gordon, Bruce, and Aubrey,

I really enjoyed your replies.
The information you've shared seems to confirm that the Southside RR, in 
order to make their west-end connection at the V&T RR depot (at 9th St.) 
on the south bank of the James River in Lynchburg, crossed the James 
River three times, the last crossing being at the west end of Percival's 
Island. Author Richard Prince indicates there was no RR connection as of 
November 1854. But by June 1855, James Cowardin's Board of Trade party 
was able to ride a westbound SS RR train across the James River on a 
bridge from the island to the V&T depot.

I've attached an edited c.1864 CSA map showing all the features to which 
each of you made reference. I also attached a photo (c.1854 approx) 
showing the V&T RR's 9th St. depot, and visible beyond it are the piers 
for either the wagon bridge or the SS RR bridge between Percival's 
Island and the south bank. Maybe someone can confirm which bridge this 
is.

Annual reports from these two roads may shed some more light on the 
subject, but it's nice to determine that V&T RR MP.0 was at the depot. I 
wonder how the transfer of freight traffic was handled between these 
railroads with such limited acreage on the V&T side?

John Garner
Newport, VA


Regarding your question about the initial connection between the SS and
V&T RR's, Page 8 of Prince's book on the N&W states that the first SS RR
service terminated at a temporary depot on Percival's Island on November
2, 1854.  "Soon a railroad bridge was constructed over the the [sic]
south bank so that the tracks of the SOUTH SIDE RR joined those of the
Virginia & Tennessee RR at the joint Lynchburg passenger station."

Gordon Hamilton

On 2/20/2023 3:17 PM, NW Mailing List wrote:
> Thanks for the reply Charlie. Do we know which road owned/constructed
> the west end bridge (i.e. where exactly did the two properties meet)?
> 
> Also, seems like I remember that both roads operated into Lynchburg
> for some time without an actual connection (i.e. bridge) between the
> two roads.
> 
> I find the history of the James River waterfront in Lynchburg
> fascinating. The amount of travel and commerce that has occurred
> within such a confined area is amazing. Hard to believe it all
> happened as you stand there today.
> 
> John Garner
> 
> 
> John,
> The SS RR connected to the V&T at/on the west end bridge over the
> James coming from Percival's Island. Fred Reburn gave an awesome tour
> of the Island as part of the N&WHS 2oo2 Convention here.
> Charlie Long
> Lynchburg (Lynchburgh in the 1880s)
> Lynchburg
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