Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1890-08-06
Stanntot1 Spectator,
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6. 1880.
The Shenandoah valley Railroad.

hS 0hCuouuV0u V0llCJ hollAVAus
The Shenandoah Valley Railroad is to be
sold this fall. 1t would be fine thing If it
could be bought by Baltimore capital and its
trade all diverted to this city.-BaLinaore
American. July 80.
This reference to the Shenandoah Valley
Railroad carries with it the highest ap-
probation of the value of that line to the
commerce of the country, which is tributary
to it. Tonnage and travel have increased
very rapidly upon that road, perhaps in
road constructed in Virginia of late years.
Situated as this road is, dependent upon
other lines for terminal connections to the
chief ports of the North and the South and
to the capital city of the nation, and con-
ferring full measure of reciprocity for the
favors shown it in choosing the channels
which through.travel and tonnage should
take, it's success has been highly creditable
to its own creative powers in increasing
development and in fostering its local
interests. Only eight years have elapsed
since its southern division was completed
from Waynesboro' to Roanoke and its
recognition on the map as one of the routes
through Virginia from the North to the
South.
The Shenandoah Valley Railroad intro
duced Kimball and his associates of 1881
into our development and progress, and it
would be impossible to estimate the great
1,ona6ts 20 U;ro;n;o opd fba South opd tho
North, too, in large measure, which have
followed from the grand enterprises then
commenced.
Now, when the public mind is amazed
and marvels at the wonderful progress
developing through the means and resour-
ces of the Norfolk 6 Western Railroad,
let it be remembered that it was through
the Shenandoah Valley Railroad that the
spirit of that enterprise was fostered. Mr..
Kimball, then President of the Shenandoah
Valley road, adopted policy which has
stood the test, and, in the enlarged fields
for its operation in subsequent years as the
Norfolk & Western line and branches have
opened out over and beyond the Southwest,
we have pleasing anticipations Of that
great future which his policy so richly out
lines,
In 1884, when Mr.. Kimball was still the
President of the Shenandoah Valley and
also of the Norfolk & Western Railroad,
10 that joint official capacity he issued an
address from which the following extracts
are made -
1.-THE early months OF 1882 opened a new era
in the economic history of the South by the
combinations resulting from the transfer OF
ownership of the Atlantic, Mississippi Ohio
Railway to the Norfolk & Western Company,
its new associations arising from the compile
ton OF the Shenandoah Valley Railway to its
junction at Roanoke and the operating ar
rangements then effected by contracts be.
tween these lines and their Southern con-
nections for the creation of the new direct
trunk route between the North and the South,
known as the Virginia Tennessee Airline.
1.-THE country traversed by this system had
long been known to be rich in minerals in
fact supposed to be richer than any other
portion of the Union; but though this Section
had been productive in COAL iron. lead, zinc
and copper from the early Colonial times. and
its iron and lead had furnished material
biHeWs VI WAT III Tue campaigns OI the heVO-
luton. as well as in the latter stirring strug-
giles ofthe Confederate States, the construction
of mineral branches 10 develop these indus
tries had not been inaugurated, nor sufficient
encouragement given to the local traffic of the
line-that vital element to the permanent
prosperity of any railway system.
1.-THE new management took hold, resolved
to make every mile pay its quota to the gen.
eral revenue. and to develop every source of
income in coal, iron, wood. cattle and miscel-
laneous business"
Let the five years which have elapsed
since this address was written be reviewed
For the present purposes it need take in
no more than the Shenandoah Valley line,
the reference to which suggested this
article. Large industrial towns are rising
been built and are building. Almost all
kinds of manufacturing industries are in
operation or coming into existence. Local
and through commerce and distant and
local travel have exceeded all anticipations.
The policy mapped out by Mr.. Kimball
was established upon the correct basis, and
has been diligently and most proftably
pursued by his successors in administra-
tion-Messrs. Tyler and Fiickwir.
The last paragraph which we quoted
from the enunciation of the policy laid
down deserves repetition, because the local
interests along the entire line have felt and
profted by the quickening influences thus
set to work. And those other words-in
cpaoL;no IF thu act;yn 70 m no rloood ,,noy,
local development-''that vital element to
the prosperity of any railway system"-are
worthy to be engraved upon every mile
post of the entire line. The experience o.
the people realize the sincerity with which
they were uttered, and have learned to ap
preciate the advantages which followed
through the administration based upon
that estimate of local interests.
The Shenandoah Valley Railroad Com.
pany is now passing through those phases
of experience from which none are ex'
empt, and, as has been the case in almost
every line constructed, no matter in what
State or section, will be sold for the pur
pose of adjusting its resources in meeting
the expense involved in construction.
Commencing operations with paucity Of
passenger patronage and small freight
traffic its opp ortunities have been well
directed and increased into crowded coaches
and large tonnage business. The opera
tons of to-day are quite different from its
commencement as local and through line
in 1889. Now scores, almost every train,
coming from the cities and States Of the
North and away up in Maine, are hurrying
Southwark caring for investments made
and seeking new ones. The freight de-
partment has largely increased it's motive
power, and the amount of heavy as we'll as