Crewe, Va - It's Origin as a Terminal ?

[NW Mailing List]

So now the question becomes:  What could have been the catalyst for
re-jiggering the engine and crew districts by establishing a terminal at
Crewe, Va ?  And, WHEN was this done ?

One good index to this process would be dates for the acquisition of 
real
estate parcels incident to the construction of Crewe Yard, as indicated 
in
the Real Estate Index on the Valuation Maps sheets.  But before I go
through that menagerie-of-a-search, perhaps one of the Old Wise Men can
throw this Young WhipperSnapper a bone, and just tell him why and when
Crewe was established as a terminal for engines and crews.  For which I
would be plentifully grateful.  :-)

-- abram burnett

Abe,

The "re-jiggering" of the engine and crew districts was initiated and 
recommended by President F. J. Kimball in a Nov. 16, 1887, nine-page 
letter to Vice-President C. G. Eddy and the Executive Committee. His 
"re-divisioning" proposal was presented to the Board of Directors at 
their November 30th meeting "in order that early action may be taken and 
the work undertaken without delay so that it may be completed as early 
next spring as possible."

When the N&W RR was formed in 1881 it operated two divisions. The 
Eastern Division was Norfolk to Lynchburg (approx. 214 miles), with 
shops at Petersburg and Lynchburg. The Western Division was Lynchburg to 
Bristol (approx. 214 miles), with shops at Radford and service 
facilities at Bristol.

By 1887 the mileage of the Eastern Division had grown only slightly 
while the Western Division had grown to 356 miles with an additional 115 
miles to be added in 1888 with the completion of the Clinch Valley line.

Due to this expansion of the Western Division and "the retched 
facilities now afforded to passenger travel at Lynchburg, which are not 
only inconvenient but extremely dangerous" and "the only location at 
Lynchburg suitable for the erection of a union station is upon the 
ground now occupied by the present round house and machine shop", 
Kimball proposed the road be divided into five divisions which "will 
necessitate the construction at both Crewe and Bluefields, of an engine 
house, turn table, small repair shops, store house, office building, 
houses for employees, yards and sidings for the handling and making up 
of trains."

"In anticipation of this necessary work, your management has for the 
past year been quietly securing the necessary real estate at the points 
designated, and in doing so has acquired lands at very low prices."

His letter/proposal list many details regarding cost, acreages to be 
acquired, structures and bridges to be built, and other general 
improvements. His plan was visionary and served the N&W well for the 
next 75 years.

And now you know the rest of the story.

John Garner, Newport VA