Algren to Abilene, VA

Home | VA | N&W , VR

Most railfans and historians refer to the Virginian as one of the major Appalachian coal haulers. Two of my favorite segments of this railroad are the Sewells Point and Jarratt Districts of the old Norfolk Division. Sewells Point is located between West Junction and the Virginian Coal Docks, to the north of Norfolk, while the Jarrett District runs west out of Algren, through Jarratt and Abilene, and beyond.

As a result of the 1959 takeover by the N&W, the Jarratt District quickly became a redundant, parallel route with little business along the way. In time the line from Algren (V15.4) to Abilene (V141.4) was abandoned and the track removed with some of the rail not being dismantled until the early 1990s.

Quartermaster Junction - A5.8: This view is looking railroad eas... — Quartermaster Junction - A5.8: This view is looking railroad east from Granby Street in Norfolk towards Sewells Point. Underneath the I-564 bridge is Quartermaster Junction. Here the track branches off and continues compass west one mile to Norfolk International Terminals. To continue straight will take you on to West Junction and right onto the main Navy Base in Norfolk. This is where the Sewells Point facility was located. It was abandoned in the early 1970's and very little trace remains. I doubt if I will ever attempt any photos on base due to post 9/11 security issues. This line was double-tracked during the Virginian era from Sewells Point to Carolina Junction. Photo by Jeff Hawkins, 3/15/2003.

Coleman Place - A1.4: This "tower" is of typical Virginian archi... — Coleman Place - A1.4: This "tower" is of typical Virginian architecture and materials. This structure once guarded the NS/VGN diamond at Coleman Place in Norfolk. Photo by Jeff Hawkins, 2/15/2003.

Carolina Junction - V4.5: Norfolk Southern and the VGN crossed a... — Carolina Junction - V4.5: Norfolk Southern and the VGN crossed at grade again at Carolina Junction in Chesapeake. The diamond has long been removed and connection tracks now facilitate movements. Photo by Jeff Hawkins, 8/3/2002.

South Norfolk - V5.1: One of the major diamonds in the Tidewater... — South Norfolk - V5.1: One of the major diamonds in the Tidewater area was at South Norfolk. Here the VGN crossed over the N&W's mainline leading into Lambert's Point. During the VGN era, this was a busy place with the two rivals shuttling coal to the awaiting Colliers. The VGN track ran along the right edge of the photo between the two rightmost poles. The track in the foreground is the connection track to the N&W's Portlock Yard. The diamond was eventually removed and two new connection tracks were installed in the northeast and northwest quadrants. Photo by Jeff Hawkins, 8/3/2003.

South Norfolk Tower - V5.1: The tower at South Norfolk controlle... — South Norfolk Tower - V5.1: The tower at South Norfolk controlled VGN movements across the diamond. The trackage ran just to the left of the structure in this photo. Photo by Jeff Hawkins, 2/1/2001.

Chesapeake: Here we are looking west towards Suffolk from the Ci... — Chesapeake: Here we are looking west towards Suffolk from the City of Chesapeake. This photo was taken at the Ramp Shop Road grade crossing which is approximately 1 mile west of the South Branch Bridge (Elizabeth River). There is a cement plant just behind me and I'm guessing it's the westernmost business on the existing Jarratt District. I have not investigated the line any further to the west through Chesapeake, but plan to do so in the near future. Photo by Jeff Hawkins, 8/2/2003.

Algren - V15.4: About halfway between Norfolk and Suffolk, the V... — Algren - V15.4: About halfway between Norfolk and Suffolk, the VGN crossed the SAL at grade. This location is known as Algren and is easily accessed off of Rt. 460. This photo is just east of Algren looking south down Snowden Road where it intersects with Sondej Avenue. This old grade crossing is about 1,000 ft. east of where the diamond was once located. One can only guess at what purpose the concrete base to the right of the road. It's on the wrong side of the road for a crossing gate, and too close to the diamond to have once been a distant signal. Photo by Jeff Hawkins, 8/2/2003.

Jarratt - V73.3: In a view looking towards the east, we see the ... — Jarratt - V73.3: In a view looking towards the east, we see the remaining Virginian trackage through Jarratt. This short stretch of rail is used by CSX to serve the wood chip plant just west of town. Just east of this spot there was once a diamond where the VGN crossed the ACL's Richmond-Jacksonville mainline at grade. Today the route is CSX's North End Subdivision and sees on average 30+ trains per day. The rise in the distance is Interstate 95. Photo by Jeff Hawkins, 9/1/2002.

Jarratt Tower - V73.3: The tower at Jarratt was a modern structu... — Jarratt Tower - V73.3: The tower at Jarratt was a modern structure by Virginian standards. It is my understanding that after the structure was built, it was never occupied. Just behind where I'm standing is the CSX mainline. Note the old Virginian pole to the right of the building still sporting three crossarms. Can you only picture this scene in the late 1950s with a pair of Fairbanks-Morse Train Masters waiting to cross the diamond while the ACL's Champion blows past with a purple and silver E unit on the point? Photo by Jeff Hawkins, 7/2/2001.

Alberta - V98.0: Not much to be seen here. This view is looking ... — Alberta - V98.0: Not much to be seen here. This view is looking east towards Norfolk from Church St. in Alberta. Photo by Jeff Hawkins, 1/4/2002.

Alberta - V98.0: In this unique view, we are once again looking ... — Alberta - V98.0: In this unique view, we are once again looking east down the old roadbed. This is where the Virginian crossed over the Seaboard Air Line (SAL) on a bridge. Both lines were abandoned in the mid-1980's. It's hard to believe such high drama took place in a location that looks like this. The VGN and SAL had a joint station located in the northwestern quadrant of the crossing. In the early days, there was an elevator to aide passengers in reaching the platform for VGN passenger and mixed trains. That station was later replaced by a smaller, more humble structure which still stands among the trees in the 21st Century. I will cover this in my SAL Norlina Subdivision segment. Photo by Jeff Hawkins, 4/1/2002.

Alberta - V98.0: Here we are standing in "downtown" Alberta on M... — Alberta - V98.0: Here we are standing in "downtown" Alberta on Main St. looking west and can get a true sense of where the tracks once ran. The electrical box and code line pole are long forgotten infrastructure from a truly magnificent operation. Photo by Jeff Hawkins, 1/4/2002.

Danieltown - V104.0: While driving down Rt. 137 following the ol... — Danieltown - V104.0: While driving down Rt. 137 following the old row, I happened upon this spot near Danieltown. The old roadbed can easily be made out thanks to the recent snow. The concrete abutments still sport some faded chevrons which were painted on for the safety of motorists. Photo by Jeff Hawkins, 1/4/2002.

Victoria - V123.0: One of the more recognized locations on the V... — Victoria - V123.0: One of the more recognized locations on the Virginian was Victoria. Fifty years ago I would have been standing in the middle of the yard next to the passenger station. The silver water tank to the right was once utilized by the railroad. The Rt. 49 overpass is referred to by locals simply as "the bridge". This view is looking west towards Roanoke. Photo by Jeff Hawkins, 1/4/2002.

Victoria - V123.0: An eastward view from "the bridge" offers an ... — Victoria - V123.0: An eastward view from "the bridge" offers an overview of the site that the yard and shop complex once occupied. The small white structure in the center of the photo is the sole surviving railroad related building in town. The roundhouse was over towards the right of the photo. Steps are being taken to convert this area into a historical park by local Virginian enthusiasts. Photo by Jeff Hawkins, 5/17/2003.

❮ ❯

Add your comments for this page here. All fields are required.

What is your name?

Where are you from?

Comment:

Your email address will NOT be displayed as part of your comment, and will only
allow you to optionally receive emails notifying you of updates to these comments.

Email address?

Subscribe to this abandonment

If you subscribe to this abandonment, you will receive an email
whenever somebody else posts to this comment chain. You can unsubscribe later, if desired.
NOTE: If subscribing, you will receive an email from "AWS" prompting to confirm your subscription by
clicking a link; please click on the link to ensure you're subscribed!

Add your own comment