VGN's Morri Branch

[NW Mailing List]

Colonel Burnette,

According to Mr. Kurt Reisweber in his fine volume on the VGN Ry., 
'Virginian Rails 1953-1993', on Pg.117 and pg.75.

The Morri Branch is so named because it's primary destination was not 
Kopperston but rather Morri. The Morri Branch would have divided at 
Oceana with the northerly line ending at Kopperston, and the easterly 
line going 11 miles, following the Laurel Fork, to Morri where a 
connection would be made with the VGN's Laurel Fork Branch (part of the 
Glen Rogers Branch complex). The ICC approved this Morri Branch route 
plan in 1937 however only the portion to Kopperston was ever 
constructed. Morri was never reached via this branch.

However: The original/first Morri Branch did reach Morri and ran between 
Milam and Morrri (3 miles) and was built in 1923. The name of this 
branch was changed to the Laurel Fork Branch when the VGN proposed to 
reach Morri via the second, c.1937 Morri Branch coming off the Guyandot 
Line at Simon Jct.

As best I can surmise the coordinates for Morri are 
37.686051,-81.514143. I only see retired R/W on USGS. No evidence of a 
town.

John Garner, Newport VA

____________________________

Thus endeth one mystery, and here springeth forth an ever greater 
mystery:  WHY is this line called the "MORRI Branch" ?  WHAT is the 
origin of the name "Morri" ?

Abram Burnett