Southern Railway

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Southern Railway

Using the great valley extending through Virginia and Tennessee, northeast to southwest, the Southern Railway and the Norfolk and Western Railway were the first railroads to enter the Central Appalachians. That rail line; made up of smaller railroads that would eventually become the Southern and the N&W initially connected Washington DC to Chattanooga TN in 1856. This first rail artery allowed the mountain region to have connections to the major cities of the Northeast and the South.

This rail line did not cross mountain ranges, but rather used valleys and rivers parallel to the mountains to Later in the 1880s, the Southern also crossed the mountain ranges north to south, from Cincinnati to Chattanooga TN.

Our sister website Southern-Railroads.org focuses on the Southern Railway and its predecessor rail lines as they existed yesterday, and also its successor, today’s Norfolk Southern.

Southern-Railroads.org Site Map

For More Information – Sources and Resources

The following are excellent resources for those of you wanting to explore and learn more about the history and operation of the Appalachian Railroads. These sources of information also serve as reference and historical materials for Appalachian-Railroads.org. Much of the content on the website is verified across multiple sources.

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Would enjoy hearing from you if you have questions, suggestions, edits, or content that you are willing to share. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have similar interests in the railroads or model railroading.

3Cs Websites

Appalachian-Railroads.org | Clinchfield.org | Southern-Railroads.org