Did N&W Run over VGN During USRA Era?

[nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org]

Quoting H. Reid's The Virginian Railway, page 65

''The first N&W train ran east over the Virginian was on December 1, 
Early in 1919, four N&W trains steamed east while three Virginians went 
the other way. It was anticipated that all N&W through tonnage east of 
Roanoke and Crewe could go over the Virginian while four or five 
Virginian empties could be sent over the N&W. The joint efforts 
reinstated several passenger trains that had been war-curtailed. 
Moreover, a Virginian freight into Norfolk switching from N&W to 
Virginian mainlines at Portlock, cut out the need for a Norfolk 
switcher.
More than likely, the experiment would have continued had the war not 
ended with a recession.  Virginian sold its coal pier barges, laid off 
men, including the general manager; and fought off lingering high coal 
prices and mine complications. It was time to think of individual 
economic survival instead of consolidated facilities.''

Ken Miller

On Oct 31, 2004, at 9:49 PM, nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org wrote:

> Abram,
>
> The following earlier post caught my eye:
> _____________
> However in March 1919, things take a different turn.
>
> "All Winston District freight trains southward and Norfolk Divisions 
> trains via Virginian Railroad will move via Shaeffer's Crossing (sic), 
> Belt Line Junction and via Belt Line tracks to SOUTH ROANOKE.....  The 
> normal position of switch west  end of Y, SOUTH ROANOKE,will be left 
> setting in position for the movement of Norfolk Division trains 
> eastward via the Belt Line to Walnut Street  for delivery to the 
> Virginian Railroad.  The two locals southward over the Winston 
> District and all northward Winston District trains will move via 
> Campbell and Walnut Streets, and southward trains will get a clearance 
> card or 31 order at Walnut Street Tower.  Switch at SOUTH ROANOKE will 
> be handled by the operator. ....."
> _____________
> Were these movements just for handling interchange with the VGN, or 
> were they N&W movements using some form of trackage rights? Note that 
> 1919 would be after the end of USRA operations.
>
> I believe that during USRA operations, that traffic ran much as it 
> does today - eastbound on the VGN and westbound on the N&W. According 
> to Mason Cooper in "Norfolk & Western Electrics" the N&W had seen the 
> benefits of this arrangement and worked in the early 20's to make it 
> permanent by leasing or buying the VGN.
>
> Does anyone else have more definitive info on this question? What do 
> employee timetables from that period have to say?
>
> Ron Davis
>
> At 09:14 PM 10/31/2004, you wrote:
>> Does anyone know if N&W trains ran over the VGN (and vice versa) 
>> during the era of the U.S. Railroad Administration?
>>
>> -- abram burnett
>>
>
>
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