Viscose Radford Plant?

[NW Mailing List]

The American Viscose plant was built but never operated as that as far as I know. It sat empty for years until AT&T used it, guessing, in the late 70's, early 80's. They closed the plant in the 90's and it sat empty again until the late 90's when a textile company (believe it or not!) moved in. The company makes casket lining material there and still does. I don't think the bridge ever saw a revenue car with maybe the exception of building material, steel, etc. for the building. It had a beautiful lay of land, about 30 acres or so. My brother-in-law was head of maintenance there through AT&T, the 'empty' years (simply as caretaker, more or less) and then with the textile firm. He took me around the property in the early 90's which included a trip down to the bridge. The tyes were, let's say, beginnning to show their age. It became a thrill walk for nearby Radford University students! Because fo donations of Radford Yard land to RU, Best I remember, the bridge is now isolated and too narrow for a highway bridge.
Charlie Long

-----Original Message-----

>From: NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org>

>Sent: Jan 21, 2007 7:06 PM

>To: nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org

>Subject: Viscose Radford Plant?

>

>Was the American Viscose plant ever built in Radford? Did it operate? At the last archives 

>session was looking at "proposed" drawing for trackage from Radford across New river to plant 

>site (dated 1946). The bridge was built, and still stands (builder plated dated 1947). However 

>I have never heard talk of the Radford Viscose plant (people working there, etc.). Also I have 

>never seen photos of any railroad equipment on the "Viscose" bridge.

>

>Was the bridge ever used in revenue service???

>

>Googling finds info on the Roanoke plant (1917-1958).

>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roanoke,_Virginia

>http://www.oldchesterpa.com/viscose.htm

>

>Acme sat map:

>http://mapper1.acme.com/?lat=37.135612&long=-80.534104&scale=12&theme=Image&width=4&height=3&dot=Yes

>

>Roger Link

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