Fwd: New River Extension

[nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org]

C * O * R * R *E * C * T * I * O * N

It has been called to my attention that the former name of Radford was
Central Depot instead of New River Depot as I stated in my original message
(actually, I knew this, but just slipped up).  Also, a later message by Bud
Jeffries indicates that Back Creek is near Belspring instead of  being the
former name as I speculated (early documents indicate that the name
Belspring antedates the New River Connecting Branch).

This begs the question, where were New River Depot and Back Creek located.
Perusal of mileage given in old timetables, station lists, etc., indicates
that New River Depot appears to have been on the opposite (west) side of the
river from Radford.  This is reinforced by a 1950 USGS topographic map which
identifies a community at the west end of the N&W bridge as, "New River."
Was the New River Depot indeed across the river from Radford?

The same map shows a Back Creek crossing under the N&W one-half mile west of
Belspring.  Based on that, it appears that the short-lived junction between
the new line and the west end of  the old line may have been located there.

Comments anyone?

Gordon Hamilton


----- Original Message -----
From: "Gordon Hamilton" <gordonshamilton at cox.net>
To: "N&amp;W Mailing List" <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>
Sent: Thursday, December 02, 2004 6:56 AM
Subject: Re: New River Extension


 > Ron,
 >
 > The 1901 annual report states, "New River Connecting Branch: This line was
 > opened for traffic Oct. 11, 1900.  The Company has accepted an Act of the
 > General Assembly of Virginia, approved February 15, 1901, authorizing the
 > abandonment of the old high-grade line between New River Depot and Back
 > Creek, in Pulaski County."
 >
 > I imagine that the line was abandoned soon after permission was given.  It
 > is interesting that the General Assembly, rather that some agency, handled
 > such matters in 1901.
 >
 > Of course, New River Depot was the old name for present-day Radford, and
 > apparently Back Creek was the old name for present-day Belspring.
 >
 > Gordon Hamilton
 >
 > ----- Original Message -----
 > From: <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>
 > To: <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>
 > Sent: Wednesday, December 01, 2004 10:35 PM
 > Subject: New River Extension
 >
 >
 > > Does anyone know when the old New River Extension between New River, VA
 > > (Radford) and Belspring, VA was taken out of service? This would be
after
 > > the construction of the low grade route through Pepper Tunnel in 1900.
 > > Today Belspring Road (SR 600) follows this former N&W grade between
 > > Fairlawn and Belspring.
 > >
 > > Thanks,
 > > Ron Davis
 > >
 > >
 > > ________________________________________
 > > NW-Mailing-List at nwhs.org
 > > http://list.nwhs.org/mailman/options/nw-mailing-list
 >