West Virginia Railroads: Volume 4: Virginian Railway

This fourth volume in the West Virginia Railroads series tells the story of the Virginian Railway within the state. Built late in the railway era, it was intended for the almost exclusive haulage of coal from West Virginia mines to Norfolk, Virginia. The Virginian operated a 136 mile electrified mainline, much of it through its West Virginia territory, which improved operations over steam power. Because of its lack of passengers and general freight, and its concentration on coal, it had a reputation as an unmatched money-maker. Organized in 1907, it was absorbed by Norfolk and Western in 1959.