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Norfolk and Western Railway Company (1896-1982)

 Organization

Historical Note

The Norfolk & Western Railway was established through a reorganization of the bankrupt Norfolk and Western Railroad in 1896, the latter company itself having arisen from the Atlantic, Mississippi & Ohio Railroad, a successor to the Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad. Through expansion and various mergers, the N&W grew to become a major U.S. carrier, serving 14 states. The company manufactured steam locomotives at its own Roanoke Machine Works (established in Roanoke, Virginia in 1882), and among the railroad's affiliated holdings were several hotels (represented in this collection by the Bluefield Inn and the Hotel Roanoke). Among the company's larger merger acquisitions was the New York, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad--the "Nickel Plate Road"--in 1964. (Other acquisitions represented in this collection are the Atlantic & Danville Railway (1962); the New Jersey, Indiana & Illinois Railroad (through acquisition of the Wabash Railroad, 1962); and the Winston-Salem Southbound Railway (acquired and operated jointly with the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, 1909).) In 1982, the N&W combined with the Southern Railway to form Norfolk Southern Corporation.

Found in 14 Collections and/or Records:

Robert B. Claytor Papers

 Collection
Identifier: Ms-1991-047
Abstract

Robert B. Claytor (1922-1993) was the CEO of Norfolk Southern. His papers consist of correspondence, articles, brochures, and rosters created or collected by Claytor and his brother, W. Graham Claytor, about the National Railway Historical Society, the preservation of historic trains (including Southern Railway Engine 4501 and N&W Locomotive Number 611), and the Norfolk and Western Railway Company.

Dates: 1952 - 1978

Farrier Family Papers

 Collection
Identifier: Ms-1974-011
Scope and Content

The collection includes files from the firm of Williams and Farrier, later Farrier and Farrier. Materials include copies of deeds, title searches, land transactions, estate matters, loan contracts, divorce suits, small claims collection suits, ledgers, and correspondence. Additional details of some files are included in the original inventories, available on request.

Dates: 1894 - 1972

Chapman J. French Papers

 Collection
Identifier: Ms-2009-034
Abstract

The collection contains papers of Chapman J. French, civil engineer employed by Norfolk & Western Railway from 1903 to 1950. It includes correspondence, memoranda, working notes, and specifications for projects as well as company and engineering department procedures. Also includes personal papers, largely relating to purchases for household and farm.

Dates: 1903 - 1957

Hotel Roanoke Architectural Drawings

 Collection
Identifier: Ms-2000-093
Abstract

The Hotel Roanoke Architectural Drawings collection includes information about Hotel Roanoke in the form of original drawings, blueprints and photocopies dating from 1890 to 1983. The collection contains foundation, floor, and framing plans, elevations; ventilation, plumbing, heating and cooling plans; external and internal details for various rooms, stairways, and features; alterations; landscaping details; and exterior features, such as swimming pool and stables.

Dates: 1890 - 1983

Preston Leech Glass Slides and Cassette Tape

 Collection — Multiple Containers
Identifier: Ms-1994-003
Scope and Contents Collection of 298 glass slides collected by Preston Leech, a Roanoke, Virginia, native and an employee of the Norfolk & Western Railway Company from the 1930s to the 1970s. Most of the slides are of N&W locomotives, rail routes, and stations. Other slides are of general agricultural and industrial scenes, and of the Luray Caverns in Virginia. The cassette tape is of an interview of Leech done in March 1994, where he speaks about his employment at the Norfolk & Western Railway...
Dates: c.1900-1925, 1994

Map of Roanoke County, Virginia

 Collection — Object 1
Identifier: Map-0188
Abstract

Full title reads, "Map of Roanoke County, Virginia, compiled from actual surveys, land maps, and data furnished by the Appalachia Electric Power Co., Virginia State Highway Dept., Norfolk & Western R. R., Virginian Railway" Map contains table of distances, statistics of Roanoke City, Salem, Vinton, and Roanoke County, historical origin of the city, and legend.

Dates: 1942

Norfolk & Western Financial Documents,

 Collection
Identifier: Ms-2003-004
Abstract

The collection contains bills and invoices from Norfolk & Western Railroad, Norfolk & Western Railway, and several subsidiaries and contracted companies.

Dates: 1882 - 1954; Majority of material found within 1884 - 1916

Norfolk & Western Railroad and Railway Company Records

 Collection
Identifier: Ms-2017-015
Abstract

The collection includes administrative documents and correspondence from the Norfolk & Western Railroad Company (later the Norfolk & Western Railway Company) dating from 1876 to about 1935. There are receipts and billing documents, letters, telegrams, and internal reports, as well as a few maps, blueprints, and handwritten notes.

Dates: 1876-1935, n.d.

Norfolk & Western Railway Company Construction Site Photographs

 Collection
Identifier: Ms-1997-027
Abstract

The Norfolk & Western Railway Company Construction Site Photographs includes approximately 360 photographs (and in some cases, photocopies of photographs) of railroad construction in Southwest Virginia. The majority of images date from 1967-1981.

Dates: 1967-1981, n.d.

Norfolk & Western Railway Menus

 Collection
Identifier: Ms-2013-080
Abstract

The collection contains breakfast, lunch, dinner, snack, and beverage menus from the Norfolk & Western Railway, as well as two unused carbon copy checks for Norfolk & Western Railway's Dining Car Service.

Dates: ca. late 1940s-1960s