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Quartermaster Junction - A5.8
This view is looking railroad east from Granby
Street in Norfolk towards Sewells Point. Underneath the I-564 bridge is
Quartermaster Junction. Here the track branches off and continues
compass west one mile to Norfolk International Terminals. To continue
straight will take you on to West Junction and right onto the main Navy
Base in Norfolk. This is where the Sewells Point facility was located.
It was abandoned in the early 1970's and very little trace remains. I
doubt if I will ever attempt any photos on base due to post 9/11
security issues. This line was double-tracked during the Virginian era
from Sewells Point to Carolina Junction.
Photo by Jeff Hawkins - March 15, 2003
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Coleman Place - A1.4
This "tower" is of typical Virginian architecture
and materials. This structure once guarded the NS/VGN diamond at
Coleman Place in Norfolk.
Photo by Jeff Hawkins - February 15, 2003
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Carolina Junction - V4.5
Norfolk Southern and the VGN crossed at grade
again at Carolina Junction in Chesapeake. The diamond has long been
removed and connection tracks now facilitate movements.
Photo by Jeff Hawkins - August 3, 2002
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South Norfolk - V5.1
One of the major diamonds in the Tidewater area
was at South Norfolk. Here the VGN crossed over the N&W's mainline
leading into Lambert's Point. During the VGN era, this was a busy place
with the two rivals shuttling coal to the awaiting Colliers. The VGN
track ran along the right edge of the photo between the two rightmost
poles. The track in the foreground is the connection track to the
N&W's Portlock Yard. The diamond was eventually removed and two new
connection tracks were installed in the northeast and northwest
quadrants.
Photo by Jeff Hawkins - August 2, 2003
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South Norfolk Tower - V5.1
The tower at South Norfolk controlled VGN
movements across the diamond. The trackage ran just to the left of the
structure in this photo.
Photo by Jeff Hawkins - February 1, 2002
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Chesapeake
Here we are looking west towards Suffolk from the
City of Chesapeake. This photo was taken at the Ramp Shop Road grade
crossing which is approximately 1 mile west of the South Branch Bridge
(Elizabeth River). There is a cement plant just behind me and I'm
guessing it's the westernmost business on the existing Jarratt
District. I have not investigated the line any further to the west
through Chesapeake, but plan to do so in the near future.
Photo by Jeff Hawkins - August 2, 2003
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Algren - V15.4
About halfway between Norfolk and Suffolk, the VGN
crossed the Seaboard Air Line (SAL) at grade. This location is known as
Algren and is easily accessed off of Rt. 460. This photo is just east
of Algren looking south down Snowden Road where it intersects with
Sondej Avenue. This old grade crossing is about 1,000 ft. east of where
the diamond was once located. One can only guess at what purpose the
concrete base to the left of the road served. It's on the wrong side of
the road for a crossing gate, and too close to the diamond to have once
been a distant signal.
Photo by Jeff Hawkins - August 2, 2003
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Algren - V15.4
Steve Hammer submitted this excellent view looking
east at Algren where the VGN once crossed the SAL at grade. In this
photo from 1992, we see the last remains of the VGN trackage in the
foreground.
Photo by Steve Hammer - July, 1992
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Sedley - V46.0
Looking east near Sedley.
Photo by Steve Hammer - Dec, 1991
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Sedley - V46.0
Another view from Sedley, this time looking west
towards Victoria.
Photo by Steve Hammer - December, 1991
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Sebrell - V?
Next is Sebrell where Steve Hammer provides us
with an eastward view.
Photo by Steve Hammer - December, 1991
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Sebrell - V?
Looking west from Sebrell.
Photo by Steve Hammer - December, 1991
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Jarratt - V73.3
In a view looking towards the east, we see the
remaining Virginian trackage through Jarratt. This short stretch of
rail is used by CSX to serve the wood chip plant just west of town.
Just east of this spot there was once a diamond where the VGN crossed
the ACL's Richmond-Jacksonville mainline at grade. Today the route is
CSX's North End Subdivision and sees on average 30+ trains per day. The
rise in the distance is Interstate 95.
Photo by Jeff Hawkins - Sep, 2002
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Jarratt Tower - V73.3
The tower at Jarratt was a modern structure by
Virginian standards. It is my understanding that after the structure
was built, it was never occupied. Just behind where I'm standing is the
CSX mainline. Note the old Virginian pole to the right of the building
still sporting three crossarms. Can you only picture this scene in the
late 1950's with a pair of Fairbanks-Morse Train Masters waiting to
cross the diamond while the ACL's Champion blows past with a
purple and silver E unit on the point?
Photo by Jeff Hawkins - July 2, 2001
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Alberta - V98.0
Not much to be seen here. This view is looking
east towards Norfolk from Church St. in Alberta.
Photo by Jeff Hawkins - January 4, 2002
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Alberta - V98.0
In this unique view, we are once again looking
east down the old roadbed. This is where the Virginian crossed over the
Seaboard Air Line (SAL) on a bridge. Both lines were abandoned in the
mid-1980's. It's hard to believe such high drama took place in a
location that looks like this. The VGN and SAL had a joint station
located in the northwestern quadrant of the crossing. In the early
days, there was an elevator to aide passengers in reaching the platform
for VGN passenger and mixed trains. That station was later replaced by
a smaller, more humble structure which still stands among the trees in
the 21st Century. I will cover this in my SAL Norlina Subdivision
segment.
Photo by Jeff Hawkins - April, 2002.
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Alberta - V98.0
Here we are standing in "downtown" Alberta on Main
St. looking west and can get a true sense of where the tracks once ran.
The electrical box and code line pole are long forgotten infrastructure
from a truly magnificent operation.
Photo by Jeff Hawkins - January 4, 2002
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Alberta's Water Tower - V98.0
In another Steve Hammer photo we see the old water
tower that served the VGN at Alberta.
Photo by Steve Hammer - July, 1992
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Danieltown - V104.0
While driving down Rt. 137 following the old row,
I happened upon this spot near Danieltown. The old roadbed can easily
be made out thanks to the recent snow. The concrete abutments still
sport some faded chevrons which were painted on for the safety of
motorists.
Photo by Jeff Hawkins - January 4, 2002
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Victoria - V123.0
One of the more recognized locations on the
Virginian was Victoria. Fifty years ago I would have been standing in
the middle of the yard next to the passenger station. The silver water
tank to the right was once utilized by the railroad. The Rt. 49
overpass is referred to by locals simply as "the bridge". This view is
looking west towards Roanoke.
Photo by Jeff Hawkins - January 4, 2002
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Victoria - V123.0
An eastward view from "the bridge" offers an
overview of the site that the yard and shop complex once occupied. The
small white structure in the center of the photo is the sole surviving
railroad related building in town. The roundhouse was over towards the
right of the photo. Steps are being taken to convert this area into a
historical park by local Virginian enthusiasts.
Photo by Jeff Hawkins - May 17, 2003 |
