CSX Transportation Historical Society

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N&W around Lynchburg, 08-23 - 08-26-2018

Rail Fan Adventure --

nwlynchburgaround20180823-26

N&W around Lynchburg, 08-23 - 08-26-2018


During the breaks in programs at the C&OHS Conventions, we took some sightseeing trips around Lynchburg.

Lynchburg is the crossroads of three main line railroads...C&O, N&W and Southern. C&O followed the James River, but originally N&W’s and Southern’s main lines dipped into the river valley and faced severe grades. Years ago both roads built alternate routes to keep tonnage trains from this obstacle. N&W kept the old main line for passenger trains. Island Yard on Percival’s Island originated the Durham Branch trains and locals. Southern kept a portion of their old main to interchange with the C&O. N&W’s old line was abandoned after the merger. NS uses the old Southern to get down to the C&O.

1. This came out of N&W’s Stations & Sidings book for 12-01-1964.
This came out of N&W’s Stations & Sidings book for 12-01-1964.

2. As you can see, some trains operated via the old main line and some by the Lynchburg Belt Line. N&W Norfolk Div #6 4-54 N-5.
As you can see, some trains operated via the old main line and some by the Lynchburg Belt Line. N&W Norfolk Div #6 4-54 N-5.

3. N&W Norfolk Div #6 4-54 N-6.
N&W Norfolk Div #6 4-54 N-6.

4. N&W Norfolk Div #6 4-54 N-9.
N&W Norfolk Div #6 4-54 N-9.

5. Mr. Percival's Island. A slightly larger image can be viewed by clicking on the link.
Mr. Percival's Island. A slightly larger image can be viewed by clicking on the link.

6. Percival's Island Natural Area Lynchburg Display. A larger image can be viewed by clicking on the link.
Percival's Island Natural Area Lynchburg Display. A larger image can be viewed by clicking on the link.

7. West end of the James River bridge over to Percival’s Island. 08-23-2018. N&W bridge. Island Yard. Lynchburg.
West end of the James River bridge over to Percival’s Island. 08-23-2018. N&W bridge. Island Yard. Lynchburg.

8. This is a walking/bike trail now. Looking downstream on the James River toward the US 29 Bus. bridge. C&O would be on the right side of the river. N&W bridge. Island Yard. View 2. Lynchburg.
This is a walking/bike trail now. Looking downstream on the James River toward the US 29 Bus. bridge. C&O would be on the right side of the river. N&W bridge. Island Yard. View 2. Lynchburg.

9. Abandoned C&O ND Cabin or “N&W Crossing” governed the two lines and allowed for the C&O passenger trains to back into and out of Lynchburg Union Station. This is looking west on the C&O James River SD. Lynchburg.
Abandoned C&O ND Cabin or “N&W Crossing” governed the two lines and allowed for the C&O passenger trains to back into and out of Lynchburg Union Station. This is looking west on the C&O James River SD. Lynchburg.

10. Abandoned N&W X Tower controlled their crossing with the old Southern main line and the west end of the station. The C&O is on back toward the river on the right. 08-24-2018. Lynchburg VA.
Abandoned N&W X Tower controlled their crossing with the old Southern main line and the west end of the station. The C&O is on back toward the river on the right. 08-24-2018. Lynchburg VA.

11. The old N&W main headed up Blackwater Creek to the left of the street bridge pier. This is Southern’s old main line which is now the connection to the CSX interchange around the curve. N&W X Tower. View 2. Lynchburg VA.
The old N&W main headed up Blackwater Creek to the left of the street bridge pier. This is Southern’s old main line which is now the connection to the CSX interchange around the curve. N&W X Tower. View 2. Lynchburg VA.

12. Hollins Mill Tunnel Lynchburg Display. A larger image can be viewed by clicking on the link.
Hollins Mill Tunnel Lynchburg Display. A larger image can be viewed by clicking on the link.

13. Looking east where the union station used to be. N&W X Tower. View 3. Lynchburg VA.
Looking east where the union station used to be. N&W X Tower. View 3. Lynchburg VA.

14. I’m not sure the official name for this tunnel. The only information I have calls it Lynchburg Tunnel, but Hollins Mill Rd. crosses over. N&W Lynchburg Tunnel east portal.
I’m not sure the official name for this tunnel. The only information I have calls it Lynchburg Tunnel, but Hollins Mill Rd. crosses over. N&W Lynchburg Tunnel east portal.

15. N&W Lynchburg Tunnel. View 2. East portal.
N&W Lynchburg Tunnel. View 2. East portal.

16. N&W Lynchburg Tunnel. Interior view.
N&W Lynchburg Tunnel. Interior view.

17. N&W Lynchburg Tunnel. Looking out the west portal.
N&W Lynchburg Tunnel. Looking out the west portal.

18. N&W Lynchburg Tunnel. View 2. West portal.
N&W Lynchburg Tunnel. View 2. West portal.

19. These drill holes were made manually before the War Between the States. N&W Lynchburg Tunnel vertical drill holes.
These drill holes were made manually before the War Between the States. N&W Lynchburg Tunnel vertical drill holes.

20. N&W Lynchburg Tunnel slant drill holes.
N&W Lynchburg Tunnel slant drill holes.

21. Walking back through the tunnel, this is the east portal. N&W Lynchburg Tunnel.
Walking back through the tunnel, this is the east portal. N&W Lynchburg Tunnel.

22. The old N&W main crossed the C&O James River SD at Six Mile which is a short distance off US 460 east of Lynchburg. 08-26-2018. Kelly VA. The old N&W main crossed the C&O James River SD at Six Mile which is a short distance off US 460 east of Lynchburg. 08-26-2018. Kelly VA.

23. N&W crossed from the north side of the James River to the south side. Phoebe would be to the left (east) and Island Yard, Lynchburg, etc. to the right (west). The C&O is to the left. Presumably “James” station on the N&W was very close by. James VA.
N&W crossed from the north side of the James River to the south side. Phoebe would be to the left (east) and Island Yard, Lynchburg, etc. to the right (west). The C&O is to the left. Presumably “James” station on the N&W was very close by. James VA.

The N&WHS’s The Arrow had an excellent article entitled “Mr. Percival’s Island of Railroading In the middle of the James River” written by the late James Gillum in their Nov./Dec. 2000 issue. The map above was taken from that issue.

Railpace Newsmagazine had an article in the February 1990 issue entitled “Railfanning Lynchburg, City of Trestles” by Roy Evans. Had I bothered to dig it out of four boxes of Railpace in the attic (it was the last magazine in the last box) railfanning would have been easier.

All for now.

Train images used by permission of Everett N Young