Skip to main content

What dictates that sharp curve on the Southern Main in Orange VA?  Seems their engineering dept would have smoothed that out due to the speed and frequency of trains on the line.

 

And why does the C&O flow right into it as if it was the same company...no yard...no connection.

Last edited by Mike W.
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

What is now the Buckingham Branch was the original Orange & Alexandria from Alexandria thru Orange to Gordonsville to the Virginia Central.  The O&A had trackage rights over the VC west to Charlottesville, where the O&A constructed a line south to Lynchburg. The Charlottesville & Rapidan built a new line between Charlottesville and Orange and was later sold to the Southern (Former O&A), eliminating the need to run on trackage rights along the former VC. To this day the portion between Orange and Gordonsville is actually owned by NS, and leased to CSX with the sublease to the BBRR.
What you see in Orange today is actually the relocated mainline, the earlier right of way is to the north/west, an old siding marks the southern end of the old main.
A second Virginia Central, originally the narrow gauged Piedmont Fredericksburg & Potomac, ran from Fredericksburg to Orange, with most of the route being abandoned in 1938. The original narrow gauge freight station still stands, I think it was an ice cream shop, and a bit of the standard gauge connection is still intact which BBRR uses as a spur for the tie yard.

Add Reply

Post

OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×