 | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Norfolk, Virginia |
| Reporting mark | AD |
| Locale | Virginia |
| Dates of operation | 1882 (1882)–1962 (1962) |
| Successor | Norfolk, Franklin and Danville Railway |
| Technical | |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8+1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) |
| Previous gauge | 3 ft (914 mm) |
| Length | 203 miles (327 km) |
TheAtlantic and Danville Railway (reporting markAD) was aClass I railroad which operated inVirginia andNorth Carolina. The company was founded in 1882 and opened its mainline betweenPortsmouth, Virginia andDanville, Virginia in 1890. TheSouthern Railway leased the company from 1899–1949. TheNorfolk and Western Railway purchased the company in 1962 and reorganized it as theNorfolk, Franklin and Danville Railway.
The Atlantic and Danville Railway was incorporated in 1882 and opened its mainline between Portsmouth and Danville in 1890.The Southern Railway leased the company from 1899–1949. A3 ft (914 mm) branch line ran fromEmporia, Virginia toClaremont, Virginia and interchanged with theAtlantic Coast Line Railroad.[1] The Southern Railway discontinued service on this branch in 1932; theGray Lumber Company continued to use it for logging operations until 1938.[2]
After the Southern terminated the lease the Atlantic and Danville continued as an independent company for another dozen years. The company went bankrupt in 1960 and was purchased by the Norfolk and Western Railway in 1962. The N&W created a new subsidiary, the Norfolk, Franklin and Danville Railway, to operate the A&D line.[1]
The former A&D line from West Norfolk to Suffolk is currently in operation as theCommonwealth Railway. The Tobacco Heritage Trail is built on the old Atlantic and Danville Railway right of way inBrodnax, Virginia andLa Crosse toSouth Hill, Virginia.[3]
The Atlantic and Danville Railway had a 205 mile main line, Norfolk and Danville, in 1951. West Norfolk and Boon was a six mile spur. The train main line had trains that left Norfolk at 10:01 PM and arrived in Danville at 5:45 AM the next day. Then left at Danville at 8:45 PM and arrived in Norfolk at 5:40 AM the next day.[4]
The railroad company was organized as the Richmond and Mecklenburg which was operated by the Southern Railway in 1896. All but one of the board of Directors and the two officers lived inNew York City, New York. The railroad employed 315 people in 1896, including the company officers,clerks,firemen,engine men,conductors, ticket agents,carpenters,foremen, laborers andtelegraph operators anddispatchers. The trains carried passengers and mail and freight. Outbound freight consisted coal, lumber, and farm products such as flour, wheat, hay, tobacco and fruits and vegetables as well as livestock, meats, wool and leather. Inbound freight includedpetroleum, oil,naval stores,cast iron products, machinery, cement, brick, lime, agricultural tools, wagons, alcoholic beverages, furniture andhousewares. Cars were equipped withJanney couplers andWestinghouse Air Brake Company brakes.
There was one injury to an employee in 1896.Western Union operated the telegraph on the track.[6]
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
