Rockbridge Rails: continued from page 12
The first line to make it as far as Lexington, in 1881, by the Richmond and Alleghany Railroad, built lines on the towpath of the old North River (now the Maury River) and James River canals. This line operated successfully for over 80 years, hauling students, cadets, local citizens and important freight. In August of 1969, Hurricane Camille decimated the region, causing extensive flooding, which destroyed many bridges on the Maury that were needed to bring the heavy trains to Lexington. The C&O Railway abandoned the line. Through the efforts of various local groups, outdoor enthusiasts now enjoy the old line as the Chessie Nature Trail. Along the Woods Creek Trail, walkers can pass through one of the original Valley Railroad culverts — completed in 1874. An original mile post also remains on the Woods Creek Trail, reading “BF 20.” This code designates the 20-mile distance to Balcony Falls, near Glasgow, where the main-line still runs along the James as part of CSX Transportation.
To learn more about local railroad history, and explore Special Collections resources on this topic, contact Byron Faidley at faidleyb@wlu.edu.
Above image: This stone culvert remains visible near W&L’s parking deck. East Denny Circle currently crosses above Woods Creek, which passes through the culvert. From Michael Miley Photograph Collection Special Collections is open Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., to current students, faculty and staff. While those who are not current W&L students, faculty and staff cannot enter our physical buildings due to the pandemic, researchers can email questions to Tom Camden ’76 at camdent@wlu.edu.
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