1907 - First Passenger Train

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Roanoke Times - September 19, 1907

FIRST PASSENGER TRAIN

On the Virginian Railway Left Norfolk Tuesday

   Norfolk, Va., Sept. 18. - The Virginian Railway sent out yesterday 
the first passenger train ever run over the road. Mixed trains have 
been run for some weeks, but the inauguration of a first-class 
passenger service dates from yesterday morning at 8 o'clock, when 
several officials of the system, accompanied by a few guests, went 
out over the line to Victoria, Lunenbury county, Va., the site of the 
new division shops of the system, and evidently destined to soon be a 
town of importance.
   Under the new schedule, which became effective yesterday, a train 
will leave Norfolk daily at 8 a. m. from the foot of East Main 
street, this city, arriving at Victoria at 1:30 p.m. It will leave 
Victoria returning at 3:30 p. m. The roadbed and the rolling stock 
are first class and there was yesterday no dust or dirt flying. It is 
a remarkably clean road.
   Experts say that there is no other road like it. It was built with 
a view to making it as straight as possible and with the lightest 
grade. Things at which those who know marvel have been accomplished. 
The maximum grade, westward from Sewell's Point, on Norfolk harbor, 
the Atlantic coast terminal of the line to the foot of the Blue 
Ridge, is but six-tenths of one per cent. It is eastward, in the 
direction the heavy haul is only two-tenths of one per cent.
   A locomotive of ordinary power will haul from West Virginia to 
Norfolk a train of eighty cars, each of 50,000 pounds capacity, a 
total load of 4,000 tons of coal. Heretofore fifty-five cars has been 
considered a good big load, and on roads of the usual grade a 
"pusher" or extra locomotive has been necessary to help the pulling 
of one over the hills, of which there are many upon such route.
   The Virginian's eighty car trains will need help only at two 
points between Princeton, W. Va., where they are made up in the great 
"collecting yard", and the coal piers at Sewell's Point. These places 
are a three mile stretch just this side of Princeton, and another 
where the line crosses the Blue Ridge mountain chain. The maximum 
grade in West Virginia, even, is two and one half per cent.
   The Virginian connects with the Seaboard Air Line at Alberta and 
with the Atlantic Coast Line at Jarratt. Freight and passengers to 
and from Richmond will be exchanged with the A. C. L. at Jarratt, 
Alberta, about sixty miles from Richmond, will be the main 
interchange point with the S. A. L.
   In the flat country in the vicinity of Norfolk when long cuts 
where made to get the desired grade for the Virginian the water 
drained into the cuts and gave trouble. Chief Engineer Fernstrom 
corrected this by hauling sea sand from Sewell's Point and dumping it 
in the cuts where the track was to be laid. This sand acted as a 
filter; the water passed through it and left a good roadbed. Now rock 
is being hauled down the line and eight inches of crushed granite 
ballast will lie under the ties all along the line. Much of the road 
is already rock ballasted. Incidentally, the big brick freight depot 
at Norfolk will be completed and occupied October 1. In the sand from 
Sewell's Point many bullet and other relics of the Civil War outcropped.
   All along the line new stations are being built. There are 
remarkably fine buildings. They are painted orange and white and are 
very attractive. It is a wonderful sight, that of a country which has 
been without railway facilities as much as that has been through 
which the Virginian passes, being given that which was so much needed 
and giving it the best. Great development must follow.
   At Victoria, the new city, an immense amount of work is being done 
in preparation for the new shops and kindred work. The size of the 
station and other signs show beyond peradventure that the company 
means to do much for the place and to build it to substantial proportions.
   The train which went out yesterday bearing in the orange-colored 
coaches a considerable number of passengers and Vice-President and 
General Manager Raymond Du Puy's car tagged on behind. In this the 
guests rode and they were entertained with much art and courtesy. 
Those aboard where General Freight and Passenger Agent S. M. Adsit, 
General Superintendent George Reith, Industrial Commissioner of 
Norfolk Board of Trade J. A. Hall, John E. Maxwell, of the 
Ledger-Dispatch staff, and Mrs. Maxwell.
   The Virginian sent nine passenger coaches up the line last night 
to Victoria and brought down to Norfolk an excursion, including 
perhaps 600 folk from various points along the line. A low rate was 
made and the tickets are good for a week. This was done in order to 
accommodate the people up the road and to benefit Norfolk so much as possible.
   It is inspiring to see the way in which H. H. Rogers is building, 
the greatest work ever done for this port, are working to build up 
the region through which the road passes and this port.

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- Ron Davis, Roger Link