[N&W] Re: VGN Passenger cars

[nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org]

Virginian did have passenger cars, primarily for the daily accomodation 
trains that operated; as well as several observation-type business cars.
The early wooden passenger car fleet consisted of coaches, at least 1 
baggage/passenger combination, 4 club cars ("Norfolk", "Victoria", 
"Roanoke" & "Princeton"), business cars "Dixie" & "New River",as well as 
RPO's & Baggage/Express cars.
In 1920, VGN acquired 10 steel heavyweight coaches (similar to the PRR 
P-70-types), numbered 200 - 209. Other steel heavyweight equipment included 
business cars Guyandotte River, Winding Gulf, & Fairhaven. These were 
painted a shade of pullman coach green with gold lettering. The wooden club 
cars were retired in 1937.
The best source & most complete roster of VGN passenger equipment is 
contained in "The Virginian Handbook" by Wiley & Wallace. This book also 
has some outstanding detail photographs of some of the equipment.
Bill Mosteller has developed an excellent Virginian Passenger decal set 
with all known car numbers (it also includes predecessors Tidewater; 
Deepwater & branch lines White Oak; & Piney River & Paint Creek).
Bob Moore
____________________________________
I recall seeing a heavyweight coach in Virginian, and possibly in a picture
somewhere.  The color, I THINK (but not sure I recall right) was Pullman
green.  Don't hold me to that color, though.  I know nothing of
lightweights, and kind of doubt they had any.

John McRae