Atlantic and Danville Railway

Atlantic and Danville Railway

Company type	Railroad
Industry	Rail transport
Founded	1882
Defunct	1962
Fate	Acquired by Norfolk and Western Railway; restructured as Norfolk, Franklin and Danville Railway
Headquarters	United States
Area served	Virginia, North Carolina
Number of employees	315 (1896)

The Atlantic and Danville Railway was a Class I railroad that served regions in Virginia and North Carolina. Established in 1882, its primary route connecting Portsmouth, Virginia to Danville, Virginia became operational in 1890. From 1899 until 1949, the railroad was leased by the Southern Railway. Subsequently, in 1962, the Norfolk and Western Railway acquired the line and restructured it under the name Norfolk, Franklin and Danville Railway.

History

The Atlantic and Danville was incorporated in 1882, with its mainline between Portsmouth and Danville commencing service in 1890. A branch extending from Emporia, Virginia to Claremont, Virginia provided a connection to the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad. Although Southern Railway ceased operations on this branch in 1932, logging activities continued until 1938 through use by the Gray Lumber Company.

Following the conclusion of Southern Railway’s lease in 1949, Atlantic and Danville resumed independent operation until filing for bankruptcy in 1960. The Norfolk and Western Railway purchased the company two years later and formed the Norfolk, Franklin and Danville Railway as a subsidiary to oversee the route.

Currently, the segment of the former A&D line running from West Norfolk to Suffolk is operated as the Commonwealth Railway. Additionally, the Tobacco Heritage Trail occupies the former Atlantic and Danville right-of-way between Brodnax, Virginia, La Crosse, and South Hill, Virginia.

Stations

In 1951, the Atlantic and Danville Railway managed a main line stretching 205 miles between Norfolk and Danville, including a six-mile spur connecting West Norfolk and Boone. Passenger trains departed Norfolk at 10:01 PM, arriving in Danville by 5:45 AM. The return journey left Danville at 8:45 PM and reached Norfolk at 5:40 AM.

• Norfolk and Danville
  • Norfolk
  • Portsmouth
  • Pinners Point (currently Pinners Point Interchange)
  • Boone (Chesapeake, Virginia)
  • Suffolk
  • Holland
  • Franklin
  • Courtland
  • Drewryville
  • Emporia
  • Pleasant Shade (near intersections of Virginia State Route 607 and U.S. Route 58)
  • Lawrenceville
  • Brodnax
  • La Crosse
  • South Hill
  • Union Level
  • Baskerville
  • Boydton
  • Jeffress (crossing at Virginia State Route 702)
  • Antlers (crossing at Virginia State Route 678)
  • South Clarksville
  • Buffalo Junction
  • Virgilina
  • Denniston (crossing at Virginia State Route 711)
  • Milton (serving Milton, North Carolina)
  • Danville

• West Norfolk and Boone
  • West Norfolk
  • Churchland
  • Boone

Railroad Company in 1896

In 1896, operating under the name Richmond and Mecklenburg with management by Southern Railway, the company’s board predominantly consisted of members based in New York City. At that time it employed a workforce of 315 individuals encompassing officers, clerks, firemen, engineers, conductors, ticket agents, carpenters, foremen, laborers, telegraph operators, and dispatchers. The railroad facilitated transportation of passengers alongside mail and various freight categories.

Outbound shipments included commodities such as coal, lumber products, flour, wheat grains, hay bales, tobacco leaves, fresh fruits and vegetables as well as livestock-derived goods like meats and wool. Incoming freight consisted of petroleum derivatives, oils, naval stores materials, cast iron products, machinery components; building supplies including brick and lime; agricultural implements and wagons; alcoholic beverages; plus furniture and household items. The equipment inventory featured Janney couplers coupled with Westinghouse air brake systems.

Only a single employee injury was documented throughout 1896. Telegraph communications along the railway were managed by Western Union.