New River – Appalachian Mountain Water Gap

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New River

The New River, one of the world’s oldest rivers with an estimated age of up to 325 million years, uniquely flows northward through the Appalachian Mountains. Its natural cut provided a crucial corridor for railroads to overcome the region’s formidable terrain and access the coalfields of Virginia and West Virginia. Three major railways—the Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O), Norfolk and Western (N&W), and Virginian Railway—leveraged this route to minimize construction costs and establish vital transportation links. 

Chesapeake & Ohio Railway (C&O) – completed 1873

C&O was the first railroad to be completed along the New River, reaching the Ohio River in 1873. Its engineers navigated the spectacular 

New River Gorge in southern West Virginia, following the river’s lowest elevations to create a manageable grade. 

  • Locations: Key towns along the C&O route included Thurmond, Prince, and Hinton, West Virginia. Today, this historic route runs through the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.
  • Elevation: The C&O established its path at lower elevations as it followed the river toward the Ohio, significantly easing the climb compared to routes over the mountain peaks.
  • Current Operator: The tracks formerly owned by the C&O are now operated by CSX Transportation, a major freight rail company. 

Norfolk and Western Railway (N&W) – route secured 1882

The N&W secured its portion of the New River corridor later than the C&O, in 1882, by acquiring a smaller line that had begun building along the river. This allowed the N&W to extend its reach from Radford, Virginia, into the coal-rich areas of southern West Virginia, accessing the massive Pocahontas Coalfield. 

  • Locations: The N&W line follows the broad New River Valley in Virginia and then continues into southern West Virginia, passing through hubs such as Radford and Bluefield.
  • Elevation: The N&W route starts at a higher elevation in the New River Valley, such as in Christiansburg, and descends toward the coalfields, navigating significant but manageable grades. 

Virginian Railway (VGN) – completed 1909

The Virginian Railway was the last of the three major lines to be completed, establishing a route from Norfolk, Virginia, to Deepwater, West Virginia, by 1909. Known for its efficiency, the Virginian was specifically engineered to move heavy coal trains with minimal grades. 

  • Locations: The VGN crossed the New River near Glen Lyn, Virginia, and passed through the narrow New River Valley at Narrows, Virginia, where it built a power plant for its electrified sections.
  • Merger: In December 1959, the Virginian was merged into its rival, the Norfolk and Western Railway.
  • Current Operator: Today, the Virginian’s former trackage is part of the Norfolk Southern Railway network, the successor to the N&W. A significant portion of the VGN’s former main line remains a vital part of Norfolk Southern’s network

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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