Coal and Iron Railway
Encyclopedia
The Coal and Iron Railway (C&I) was a railroad in West Virginia
. Its main line ran from Elkins
to Durbin
. The C&I was a subsidiary of the West Virginia Central and Pittsburg Railway
(WVC&P) and was later acquired by the Western Maryland Railway
(WM).
, in 1899 as an extension of the WVC&P system, also controlled by Davis. The rail line was built over Valley Mountain, along the Shavers Fork valley and the West Fork of the Greenbrier River
. By 1903 the construction of the rail line was completed to Durbin, where it connected with the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad (C&O).
Locomotive
s on the C&I were operated by the WVC&P. In 1905 the C&I was acquired by the WM.
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
. Its main line ran from Elkins
Elkins, West Virginia
Elkins is a city in Randolph County, West Virginia, United States. The community was incorporated in 1890 and named in honor of Stephen Benton Elkins , a U.S. Senator from West Virginia. The population was 7,032 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Randolph County...
to Durbin
Durbin, West Virginia
Durbin is a town in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, United States. The population was 262 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Durbin is situated in the northern part of Pocahontas County at the confluence of the East and West Forks of the Greenbrier River. It is thus the starting point of the...
. The C&I was a subsidiary of the West Virginia Central and Pittsburg Railway
West Virginia Central and Pittsburg Railway
The West Virginia Central and Pittsburg Railway was a railroad in West Virginia and Maryland operating in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It had main lines radiating from Elkins, West Virginia in four principal directions: north to Cumberland, Maryland; west to Belington, WV; south to...
(WVC&P) and was later acquired by the Western Maryland Railway
Western Maryland Railway
The Western Maryland Railway was an American Class I railroad which operated in Maryland, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania. It was primarily a coal hauling and freight railroad, with a small passenger train operation. The WM became part of the Chessie System in 1973 and ceased operating its lines...
(WM).
History
The railroad was founded by Henry G. DavisHenry G. Davis
Henry Gassaway Davis was a self-made millionaire and U.S. Senator from West Virginia. He was the Democratic Party's nominee for Vice President of the United States in 1904. His brother was U.S...
, in 1899 as an extension of the WVC&P system, also controlled by Davis. The rail line was built over Valley Mountain, along the Shavers Fork valley and the West Fork of the Greenbrier River
Greenbrier River
The Greenbrier River is a tributary of the New River, long, in southeastern West Virginia, USA. Via the New, Kanawha and Ohio Rivers, it is part of the watershed of the Mississippi River, draining an area of...
. By 1903 the construction of the rail line was completed to Durbin, where it connected with the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad (C&O).
Locomotive
Locomotive
A locomotive is a railway vehicle that provides the motive power for a train. The word originates from the Latin loco – "from a place", ablative of locus, "place" + Medieval Latin motivus, "causing motion", and is a shortened form of the term locomotive engine, first used in the early 19th...
s on the C&I were operated by the WVC&P. In 1905 the C&I was acquired by the WM.