Virginia & Kentucky Railroad

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Virginia & Kentucky Railroad (V&K)

The Virginia and Kentucky Railroad was a precursor to the Southern Railway, chartered in 1852 to construct a line connecting Bristol and Abingdon, Virginia, with Cumberland Gap, Kentucky. The V&K aimed to access the region’s rich coal and timber resources and link the Ohio River Valley with the Atlantic coast. However, it never saw significant construction or operation, and the Civil War halted its progress, leaving its ambitions unrealized. Minimal track was laid before the project failed, but its rights-of-way and strategic vision were not forgotten.

South Atlantic & Ohio Railroad

Later, the South Atlantic and Ohio (SA&O) Railroad, formed in 1882, used the route originally planned by the V&K, progressing construction through parts of the same challenging, rugged mountain terrain. The SA&O reached Gate City by 1887 and Big Stone Gap by 1890, using the Natural Tunnel. Financial problems led to the SA&O’s receivership in 1892, but the line eventually became part of the Virginia and Southwestern Railway and later the Southern Railway.

The goal of connecting Bristol to Cumberland Gap was ultimately accomplished by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad in 1890, through its Cumberland Valley Division. The Virginia and Kentucky Railroad is a historical example of the challenges faced by smaller, early railway companies. Its legacy lies in the unrealized ambition that paved the way for later, more successful rail ventures that eventually utilized its intended route.

Virginia & Kentucky Railroad Stats

  • Founded/Chartered: 1852
  • Construction: Limited grading and construction was done, but it appears there were no segments operated.
  • Length: Approximately 127 miles if it had been constructed/completed
  • Abbreviation: V&K
  • Initial Route: Abingdon/Bristol VA to Cumberland Gap KY. Abingdon was considered at first to be the starting point, but eventually Bristol was chosen.
  • Successors: Bristol Coal & Iron Narrow Gauge Railroad, South Atlantic & Ohio Railway, Virginia & Southwestern Railway, Southern Railway
  • Cities: Bristol VA, Moccasin Gap VA, Appalachia VA, Big Stone Gap
  • Today: Norfolk Southern Railway

Virginia & Kentucky Railroad’s ‘Big Cut’ by Ron Flanary

Virginia & Kentucky Railroad

Narrative and Photo by Ron Flanary

This cut just west of Dan’lboone, VA is known as “Big Cut.” It was dug out (mostly by hand) by construction crews of the Virginia & Kentucky Railroad before the Civil War.

The line was never built, but the cut was later planned for use by the Charleston, Cincinnati & Chicago (never built), the Bristol Coal and Iron Narrow Gauge Railroad (never built), and finally the South Atlantic & Ohio (built).

It later became the Virginia & Southwestern, then Southern Railway in 1916, and Norfolk Southern in 1982.

This is a CSX trackage rights train, westbound, on October 6, 1990. The east side of the cut ascends at 1.8 percent, and the west side descends at 1.7 percent. The short vertical curve was a graveyard of busted knuckles and pulled drawheads for many years–the bane of existence for many frustrated train crews, particularly engineers, and the brakemen who had to lug the knuckles and replace the broken one (particularly at 3 AM in January at 10 degrees above zero).

More Southern Railway information will be added to this page and others in the days ahead. Please let me know if you have any edits that should be made or any content you are willing to share by utilizing the comment form below. Would enjoy hearing from you if you have similar interests in the railroads, the region, or model railroading.

Southern-Railroads.org Sources and Resources

The following are excellent resources for those of you wanting to explore and learn more about the Southern Railway and its predecessors. These sources of information also serve as reference and historical materials for Southern-Railroads.org. Much of the content on the website is verified across multiple sources.

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