The document offers a few additional clues to its date, but nothing is conclusive.
1. The cover lists the western end points as Bristol, Norton and Ironton. In early 1889 the N&W made the decision that Ironton, Ohio would be the endpoint of its Ohio Extension. In Feb 1890 the N&W bought the former Scioto Valley Railway that ran through Ironton and on east to Petersburg, Ohio (Petersburg was renamed Coal Grove by the N&W, however there is no mention of the N&W’s original Scioto Valley Division in the reference book. However the book also notes it is about the industrial resources in Virginia.
2. The reference book refers to the Flat-Top Division that was created in 1888, but there is no mention of the Pocahontas Division that was created in late 1890.
3. Page 63 notes there are eight producing coal/coke plants around Elkhorn. The eighth operation was Powhatan Coal & Coke Company that started producing coal in Feb 1889 and coke in August 1889. Page 63 notes that the Ohio Extension is being pushed with vigor. Actual work on the Ohio Extension started in March 1890.
4. Page 70 of the reference book notes that the Ohio Extension construction was underway and would cross the Ohio River at Chatterawha. The N&W’s 1890 system map, which would have been published with the 1889 annual report around May 1890 included the name Chatterawha instead of Kenova. Kenova appeared on the 1891 system map.
These four statements, in addition to my previous statements on the subject, suggest the document was printed before 1891and most likely in 1890. Possibly written in late 1889 as the railroad was extended from the Powhatan Coal & Coke Company to the starting point for the Ohio Extension near the confluence of the North and South Forks of Elkhorn Creek.
Alex Schust
From: NW-Mailing-List [mailto:nw-mailing-list-bounces at nwhs.org] On Behalf Of NW Mailing List
Sent: Tuesday, November 06, 2018 5:52 PM
To: NW Mailing List
Subject: Re: "Reference Book of the Norfolk & Western Railroad," mid-1880s
Ken,
Don’t think 1891 is the date; too many places that states something to be completed in 1890, etc. When this was written is one thing, but when actually printed is something else.
Best,
Bud
From: NW Mailing List
Sent: Tuesday, November 06, 2018 10:15 AM
To: NW Mailing List
Subject: Re: "Reference Book of the Norfolk & Western Railroad," mid-1880s
Abe/Bud
This one is a little tough to date, but probably 1890-91 is a best guess.
It states on page 34 that a new hotel is to be erected in Salem in 1890, and that the Salem passenger station, the stone one is under construction.
According to the annual report from 1891 on page 104:
"Conducting Transportation Buildings.-The first-class stone psssenger station at Salem erected during latter part of 1890, was completed and opened February 19th, 1891.
Ken Miller
On Nov 6, 2018, at 10:02 AM, NW Mailing List <nw-mailing-list at nwhs.org> wrote:
Abe,
This is a very good historical source about the N&W RR at a point in time. I think it was published in 1888 or 1889 since it shows the curve bridge in Radford (which was completed in 1888) and talks about Roanoke being started six years before (that would have been 1882). There are references to things being completed in 1890 and the Ohio Extension to be finished in 1892.
Thank you for sharing this.
Bud Jeffries
From: NW Mailing List
Sent: Monday, November 05, 2018 11:10 AM
To: N&W Mailing List
Subject: "Reference Book of the Norfolk & Western Railroad," mid-1880s
For any of you who do not already have this book, I have put it up on Google Drive and you may get it at this link:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1t3MXZ5k7BkU-WpQ8YQwLavyEu8c564ez
Although undated, I believe the book was published about 1886. This opinion is based on the fact that Joseph Sands is shown as General Manager, and he was not appointed to that position until Nov. 1, 1885.
-- adb
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