Virginia Rails

Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Whitcomb 75 Ton Switcher #55 waits for its next assignment in Arlington, Virginia in 1965.


*Nick A. Jobe Collection*

What's New!

The Beginning

Railroads in the Old Dominion State have been around for well over two centuries. The railroad revolution began when the first incorporated railroad, the 13 mile gravity and mule powered Chesterfield Railroad, was incorporated on July 1, 1831. Currently, the state is served by two class one railroads, CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern, along with multiple independent short lines. Over the years, different industrial booms have occurred in Virginia generally controlling where certain rail lines were built and what freight was hauled. For example, during the 1910's, many lumber operations were organized in South Central Virginia and South Western Virginia. This site will contain the history, equipment rosters, and other historical data on individual railroads and railroad utilizing companies located in the state of Virginia along with some bonus railroads from neighboring states such as Maryland and North Carolina. 

P.S. This site is, and will always be, a work in progress!

About The Author

 My name is Nick, I'm Twenty one years old, and I'm a proud resident of Northern Virginia. I have been fascinated with trains my entire life after being exposed to trains through my parents in areas such as the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad and the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. My main fascination is researching lessor known companies and finding out the histories of specific locomotives. I also enjoy collecting old photographs of train related stuff all throughout Virginia and also parts of Maryland. Some of my favorite railroads are the Chesapeake Beach Railway, Western Maryland Railway, and the Washington & Old Dominion Railroad. I hope you enjoy this site and share it with others from the railroading community!

NOTE: Donations are ALWAYS welcome. Doesn't matter what subject the item is based on. If it relates to anything trains, I will gladly take it off your hands. I will also 100% make sure to include any information you would like me to include. Also, have anything you would like to contribute? I would love to include it on this site and I will definitely give you or whomever the owner is credit for whatever item is being presented. If you would like to contact me, click here

DOUBLE NOTE: If you are an amateur railroad photographer who doesn't mind lending their material to others for display, please consider allowing me the use of your photographs on this website. I also collect railroad photographs of all types and eras including black and white, negatives, cabinet cards, slides, and basic kodak photographs. If you are downsizing or donating your collection, please consider sending them to me as I will take material of all eras and locations. Again, if you would like to contact me, click here

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