365:, just north of Williamsport in Hagerstown. This new north/south line would be the key to capturing the traffic on numerous just-acquired southern lines and directing it to the port of Philadelphia. The competing B&O wanted to divert the riches of the area to the port of Baltimore and expand into the south. Each tried to cut off the other from the south. Meanwhile, Virginia really didn’t want either to succeed so that traffic would be directed to the Norfolk port.
22:
393:
In August 1871, the
Central Improvement Company submitted a proposal to cancel the construction contract, asking for payment only for work completed. The proposal was rejected by SVRR. In 1872, the deadline for completion of the railroad was extended to January 1875 and 94 miles (151 km) of work
444:
In early 1885, SVRR defaulted on its loan interest, taxes, payrolls, and bills. A Roanoke judge put the line in a receivership, but in
December, the mortgage company holding its notes filed suit for liquidation of the road’s assets. The Norfolk and Western Railroad fought a legal battle for the next
401:
Problems with PRR escalated over the inability to obtain a traffic contract with the
Cumberland Valley Railroad. SVRR sent a team of surveyors during the summer of 1880 into Pennsylvania indicating a desire to build a line to Harrisburg to connect with the competing Philadelphia and Reading Railroad
377:
The
Central Improvement Company (a subsidiary of Pennsylvania Railroad) was awarded a contract to construct 224 miles (360 km) of the SVRR from Shepherdstown to Salem for $ 35,000 a mile. The work was to be completed by August 1872. The major source of capital came from the sale of 6% mortgage
440:
In 1882, N&W made a deal with PRR to swap the SVRR share capital for N&W common stock. SVRR got a loan from N&W of $ 600,000, plus up to $ 200,000 per year for 3 years. PRR kicked in $ 150,000 as advanced payment for highly discounted future traffic contracts. Control of SVRR stock was
348:
Since the route traversed three states (Maryland, West
Virginia, and Virginia) three legislative authorizations were required. Virginia provided approval on February 23, 1867. West Virginia approved the construction idea on February 25, 1870. Maryland provided the final approval needed on April 4,
452:
The competing Valley
Railroad ran out of capital to build in 1884 and struggled until it went into receivership in 1896. The final length of that line was 36 miles (58 km) from Staunton to Lexington, the southern 51 miles (82 km) to Salem never finished. The line was never profitable.
424:
as its spokesman, it convinced
Baltimore to authorize $ 1,000,000 to secure funding by other Virginia counties. Baltimore was to gain considerably by having the traffic from the richest parts of the south directed its way. Many delays occurred, particularly after the recession on the 1870s, but
368:
The PRR began purchasing stock in the SVRR, and took effective control of it. B&O took control of a competing north/south line called the Valley
Railroad. The plans showed the railroads were to run parallel to each other through the valley, sometimes just a few miles apart. The race was on.
1155:
A contract between SVRR and N&W is signed on 12/29/1882 (ratified by stockholders on 2/12/1883). The majority of SVRR share capital was traded for N&W common stock. N&W agreed to loan SVRR up to $ 200,000 per year, for a maximum of 3 years from 1/2/1883, if it loses
385:
was elected as the second president of SVRR; he was also a Vice
President of the Pennsylvania Railroad. Peter B. Borst was forced out because of his involvement with a competing plan for a similar rail line called the Luray Valley Railroad Company that was pushed through the
1224:
Into the mid-20th century the new owners, the
Norfolk & Western, operated two passenger trains a day in each direction. The #1 (southbound) and the #2 (northbound), Roanoke-New York City via Hagerstown and Harrisburg, were part of a pooled long distance
445:
four years to regain control. On September 30, 1890, the SVRR was reorganized as the Shenandoah Valley "Railway", with stockholders approval to sell to N&W. On December 2, the Shenandoah Valley Railway acquired the rights to the franchise of the
360:
After Maryland approved construction of a bridge over the Potomac river anywhere between Harpers Ferry and Williamsport, the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) took notice. There could be link with rival B&O railroad, as well as a link with its own
397:
In September 1872, the Cumberland Valley Railroad (a subsidiary of Pennsylvania Railroad) was asked to construct the tracks from their station in Hagerstown, MD to Shepherdstown, WV. Service began on that stretch in 1880.
1210:
In September, Shenandoah Valley Railroad sold under foreclosure and reorganized as the Shenandoah Valley Railway; in December, Shenandoah Valley Railway is acquired and absorbed by Norfolk & Western
1137:
Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia Air Line was formed via a contract between SVRR, N&W, and the East Tennessee, Virginia, and Georgia Railroad. The Air Line was between Hagerstown, MD and Norfolk, VA.
39:
1183:
The Southern Despatch Line is formed between Pennsylvania Railroad, Cumberland Valley Railroad, Western Maryland Railroad, SVRR, N&W, and East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia Railroad.
341:
somewhere near Staunton, to a connection with the V&T around Salem, and finally to somewhere near the southwest corner of Virginia to meet the East Tennessee and Virginia Railroad at
248:. In September 1890 it went into bankruptcy and was reorganized as the Shenandoah Valley Railway. In December 1890, it became part of N&W. Today the tracks are a major artery of the
1362:
1337:
The Mineral Wealth of Virginia, 1884 by Andrew S. McCreath. Printed in Harrisburg PA by Lane S. Hart. Copy located in the history room of the Charles Town West Virginia library.
1372:
433:
The financial panic of 1873 brought a deep recession that suppressed business into the 1880s. In 1882 SVRR received a loan of $ 79,000 from Philadelphia financiers
259:, a former part of the Norfolk Southern System a few miles west was a parallel line originally called the Valley Railroad. It was built in the late 19th century by
1367:
446:
413:. In 1881 the north and south sections were connected. Finally, in 1882, it stretched south to meet the Norfolk and Western Railroad in the new railroad town of
86:
58:
283:
formed late in the 20th century by several major shippers. The historic name of the once rival was adopted for the current privately owned intrastate
1382:
315:. The route called for 243 miles (391 km) of new construction. The line follows closely the great iron ore belt along the western slope of the
65:
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1152:
Track completed southward from Waynesboro (Basic), VA to Roanoke, VA on 6/19/1882. Connection with Norfolk & Western Railroad is established.
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south of the C&O railroad in Staunton eliminated. Service began between Shepherdstown, WV and the Shenandoah River on December 15, 1879.
441:
now with N&W. In 1883, SVRR floated $ 1.8 million of income bonds. Revenues continued to be far below forecast due to the bad economy.
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to cover that year’s shortfall. The life of all the bridges was ending and significant funds would be needed in the coming years.
308:
1168:
First-ever annual report is published. It is called the "Third Annual Report" to coincide with the N&W numbering scheme.
1134:
Elsewhere: Norfolk & Western Railroad Company (N&W) formed from purchase of Atlantic, Mississippi, and Ohio Railroad.
43:
1140:
The northern and southern sections of track are connected on 4/18/1881. Service is now from Hagerstown MD to Waynesboro VA.
449:. On December 15, 1890, N&W purchased the company outright for $ 6,000,000 of stock and added the rails to its system.
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1317:
Iron Horses in the Valley, The Valley and Shenandoah Valley Railroads, 1866-1882 by John R. Hildebrand, 2001
425:
traffic finally began between Harrisonburg and Staunton in 1883. The southern section was never constructed.
1119:
Separate section of service between Elkton and Waynesboro (area now called Basic City) begins on 11/22/1880.
1280:'Official Guide of the Railways,' June 1961, Norfolk & Western section, Table 3-Shenandoah Valley Route
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On March 14, 1870, the company was formed and the first president, Peter Bouck Borst, was elected.
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Train service begins between Shepherdstown and the Shenandoah river on 12/15/1879 (42 miles).
1233:, complete with Pullman service and lounge car service. Passenger service ended by summer, 1963.
402:
line. The bluff worked and a contract was worked out. But the split with PRR was now inevitable.
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1271:'Official Guide of the Railways,' August 1949, Norfolk & Western section, Table 2
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Shenandoah Valley Railroad organized as a subsidiary of the Pennsylvania Railroad.
405:
Also in 1880, service began on the section south of the Shenandoah River between
180:
21:
244:(N&W). The development of this railroad had considerable backing from the
1171:
Loss of $ 183,648.16 is covered by $ 200,000 loan from N&W for year 1883.
1107:
Service extended southward from Shenandoah River to Front Royal on 4/1/1880.
1122:
The northern section extended south to Shenandoah Iron Works on 12/20/1880.
1289:'Official Guide of the Railways,' June 1963, Norfolk & Western section
420:
Meanwhile, rival Valley Railroad (VRR) was trying to raise capital. With
233:
150:
142:
1327:
Norfolk & Western's Shenandoah Valley Line by Mason Y. Cooper, 1998
46: in this article. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed.
295:
The organizers of the SVRR planned to construct a railroad from the
460:
1116:
Service extended southward to Milford (now Overall) on 9/6/1880.
1198:
Shenandoah Valley Railroad forced into receivership 04/01/1885.
1340:
When Trains Came to Shepherstown, 200 by Johnna Armstrong for
15:
329:
introduced a charter for the railroad for a bill before the
333:
in 1866. The ambitious plan was to build a railroad from
220:
was a line completed on June 19, 1882, extending up the
1110:
Service extended southward to Bentonville on 5/10/1880.
1080:
Work is suspended because of difficulty with contractor
1113:
Service extended northward to Hagerstown on 8/19/1880.
1314:
SVRR Annual Report 10 (Fiscal Year 1890, last report)
1302:
SVRR Annual Report 3 (Fiscal Year 1883, first report)
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1363:Predecessors of the Norfolk and Western Railway
1053:Shenandoah Valley Railroad chartered 2/23/1867
465:1882 Station map. Source: Library of Congress
429:Recession, strikes and bankruptcy (1882–1890)
8:
118:
1092:Construction resumes in the spring of 1879.
378:bonds backed by the Pennsylvania Railroad.
303:(a branch out of Harrisburg, PA called the
55:"Shenandoah Valley Railroad" 1867–1890
1186:$ 135,000 loan from N&W for year 1884.
1068:Work on the road (railroad track) begins.
106:Learn how and when to remove this message
1373:Railway companies disestablished in 1890
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1311:SVRR Annual Report 9 (Fiscal Year 1889)
1308:SVRR Annual Report 6 (Fiscal Year 1886)
1305:SVRR Annual Report 5 (Fiscal Year 1885)
1264:
1253:List of defunct West Virginia railroads
117:
1368:Railway companies established in 1867
519:Shepherdstown, (Jefferson County) WV
267:. A portion extending northward from
7:
44:adding citations to reliable sources
487:Hagerstown, (Washington County) MD
1248:List of defunct Virginia railroads
1243:List of defunct Maryland railroads
773:Weyer’s Cave, (Augusta County) VA
373:Main line construction (1870–1882)
14:
875:Vesuvius, (Rockbridge County) VA
20:
1383:Defunct West Virginia railroads
955:Arcadia, (Botetourt County) VA
741:Elkton, (Rockingham County) VA
447:Washington and Western Railroad
309:Virginia and Tennessee Railroad
31:needs additional citations for
417:. The track was now complete.
1:
1013:Hollins, (Roanoke County) VA
1342:The Station at Shepherdstown
567:Gaylord, (Clarke County) VA
335:Harpers Ferry, West Virginia
261:Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
242:Norfolk and Western Railway
169:Norfolk and Western Railway
1399:
1378:Defunct Maryland railroads
1358:Defunct Virginia railroads
647:Overall, (Page County) VA
599:Ashby, (Warren County) VA
363:Cumberland Valley Railroad
305:Cumberland Valley Railroad
285:Shenandoah Valley Railroad
265:Chesapeake Western Railway
218:Shenandoah Valley Railroad
119:Shenandoah Valley Railroad
709:Marksville (Stanley), VA
388:Virginia General Assembly
339:Virginia Central Railroad
331:Virginia General Assembly
1229:in cooperation with the
813:Waynesboro Junction, VA
535:Shenandoah Junction, WV
240:and to connect with the
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257:Harrisonburg, Virginia
1231:Pennsylvania Railroad
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327:Page County, Virginia
297:Pennsylvania Railroad
246:Pennsylvania Railroad
435:E.W. Clark & Co.
317:Blue Ridge Mountains
301:Hagerstown, Maryland
226:Hagerstown, Maryland
40:improve this article
1041:Historical timeline
939:Natural Bridge, VA
837:Stuart’s Draft, VA
281:short-line railroad
120:
923:Buffalo Forge, VA
527:Morgans Grove, WV
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269:Staunton, Virginia
157:Dates of operation
1333:978-0-9633254-7-1
1323:978-1-57249-232-5
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148:
147:West Virginia
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78:
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67:
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60:
57: –
56:
52:
51:Find sources:
45:
41:
35:
34:
29:This article
27:
23:
18:
17:
1285:
1276:
1267:
1223:
1029:Roanoke, VA
979:Houston, VA
931:Glasgow, VA
883:Midvale, VA
797:Crimora, VA
685:Kimball, VA
451:
443:
439:
432:
419:
404:
400:
396:
392:
380:
376:
367:
359:
351:
347:
321:
294:
254:
228:through the
217:
216:
129:Headquarters
102:
93:
83:
76:
69:
62:
50:
38:Please help
33:verification
30:
1227:night train
971:Lithia, VA
867:Lofton, VA
733:Milnes, VA
717:Ingham, VA
559:Rippon, WV
503:Grimes, MD
181:Track gauge
1352:Categories
1259:References
805:Dooms, VA
789:Harriston
781:Patterson
701:Luray, VA
693:Elgin, VA
631:Manor, VA
583:Boyce, VA
411:Waynesboro
66:newspapers
1211:Railroad.
947:Solitude
859:Location
765:Grottoes
669:Location
479:Location
390:in 1870.
381:In 1871,
337:, to the
307:) to the
255:South of
236:to reach
175:Technical
165:Successor
1237:See also
749:Sellers
457:Stations
291:Planning
252:system.
234:Virginia
200: in
151:Virginia
143:Maryland
124:Overview
1297:Sources
195:⁄
80:scholar
1331:
1321:
1156:money.
407:Elkton
349:1870.
139:Locale
82:
75:
68:
61:
53:
1205:1890
1193:1885
1178:1884
1163:1883
1147:1882
1129:1881
1102:1880
1087:1879
1075:1873
1060:1870
1048:1867
1026:239.3
1018:236.5
1002:232.2
994:227.9
976:224.6
968:219.2
960:214.2
952:208.9
936:198.6
920:191.0
912:188.7
888:179.7
880:174.9
872:167.6
864:162.7
856:Mile
842:159.4
834:153.0
826:150.0
818:148.0
810:143.2
794:136.9
778:132.1
770:129.1
754:127.2
738:112.5
730:106.7
722:104.0
714:101.9
666:Mile
476:Mile
224:from
87:JSTOR
73:books
1329:ISBN
1319:ISBN
706:95.6
698:88.8
682:85.1
652:79.8
644:75.6
636:72.9
628:66.4
620:62.1
612:59.2
604:56.4
596:53.2
588:49.2
580:46.2
572:39.9
564:36.2
556:33.7
548:32.5
540:28.4
532:23.1
516:16.9
508:14.1
409:and
275:and
149:and
59:news
1010:234
984:225
944:207
928:197
904:186
896:186
802:141
786:133
762:130
500:9.0
492:5.9
484:0.0
325:of
271:in
42:by
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746:??
690:86
674:83
524:19
345:.
319:.
287:.
206:)
145:,
1344:.
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197:2
193:1
190:+
188:8
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84:·
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70:·
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