One of the most colorful and interesting railroads in American history was the Virginian Railway which was built in the early 20th century and connected the seaport of Norfolk, Virginia with the coalfields of West Virginia, with connections to other railroads in the Midwest.
Passing through Roanoke, it had a huge presence in the Roanoke Valley before being merged with the Norfolk & Western railroad in 1959. Fifty six years later, it has a world-wide following of historians and rail devotees.
Award winning railroad author, Aubrey Wiley of Lynchburg, has completed lifelong research and six years of writing to produce his final railroad book, VIRGINIAN RAILWAY MEMORIES.
Wiley’s latest work is hardback and the largest and most comprehensive book ever written on the Virginian railroad with 233 pages containing over 400 vintage color and black & white pictures as well as maps, drawing of structures and equipment, rosters and engaging personal stories written by employees of the old Virginian, their family members and people who had contact with the railroad.
The official release of the book was held in Roanoke at the Rail Yard Hobby Shop in late August. It is now available at local bookstores as well as online.
