Boaz siding

[NW Mailing List]

Nathan - 

For the most part, through trains ceased to utilize the Virginian east of Abilene once the connection was built after the merger. The exception being locals that served remaining businesses along the line. With a few exceptions, all of the track was removed and most of the right of way is now overgrown. CSX operates the Jarratt Spur, which is 1.5 miles of the former Virginian in Jarratt to service the Georgia Pacific chip mill. The rails are still in place from Algren to around Cavalier Boulevard in Chesapeake but this portion is not in use. From this point eastward, the mainline is still in use to West Junction near Naval Station Norfolk and NIT. 

State records indicate the following abandonments: 

Algren to Kenyon (12.70 miles) - March 19, 1991 
Kenyon to Boaz (5.20 miles) - September 20, 1985 
Boaz to Jarratt (40 miles) - October 5, 1977 
Jarratt to Briery (63.60 miles) - August 20, 1987 
Briery to Abilene (4.80 miles) - June 20, 1989 

I've got photos and additional information on the Virginian's First Subdivision on my website. 
http://www.railsinvirginia.com/abandoned/virginian/norfolk_division.html 

Jeff Hawkins 

----- Original Message -----
From: "NW Mailing List" <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org> 
To: "NW Mailing List" <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org> 
Sent: Tuesday, December 11, 2012 4:32:17 PM 
Subject: Re: Boaz siding 

This prompts a question I have been meaning to ask for a couple months now. When was the VGN east of Abilene abandoned? I found a few 1963 USGS maps from the area and they show the Railroad labeled as Norfolk and Western. But it seemed off to me that N&W would have kept it. Also what actually became of the ROW after abandonment? Is it a biking or hiking trail? 

Nathan 






On Tue, Dec 11, 2012 at 8:58 AM, NW Mailing List < nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org > wrote: 




I'd venture a guess that Boaz siding was removed shortly after the 1959 acquisition of the Virginian. At that point there was no need for the N&W to operate loaded coal trains over Blue Ridge Grade since they could now utilize the former Virginian mainline east of Roanoke with the new (at the time) connection at Abilene. 

To the best of my knowledge, Tinker Creek Connection was also constructed immediately following the N&W/VGN merger. 

Jeff Hawkins 



From: "NW Mailing List" < nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org > 
To: nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org 
Sent: Monday, December 10, 2012 12:27:53 PM 
Subject: RE: Boaz siding 


Hey Bruce, 

I guess that wasn't you that went with me so many years ago (1980?) to look 
for Boaz and with some 1950's photos, found features marking both ends of 
the spur. The west end of track was near the east end of a short 3/4 
degree right curve in the main and the switch was at Bridge #96, a 
glorified culvert distinguished by steel pipe handrailing (as of 1980) just 
west of MP N254. Recently published photos more clearly show the point of 
switch virtually on the bridge. I remember marveling at just how much the 
site had been sanitized. 

Anyone know when the spur was taken out of service? Did it ever see diesel 
pushers or were they put on in Roanoke? The timing would have to depend on 
the end of steam and EB tonnage being diverted to the VGN side (crossover 
installs at Kellysville or Tinker Creek and Abilene)(?). 

Grant Carpenter 
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-- 
Nathan Simmons 
trainman51 at gmail.com 
http://www.t-51.org 
KI4MSK 

01/20/2017 


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