I was just wondering if there are any records still in existance on this line and if so where could they be viewed? Thanks

-- Carlton Pope (dpope@amaze.net), July 15, 2000

Answers

For a list of what is in the Library of Virginia on the Portsmouth and Roanoke. Go to their Board of Public Works Railroad list at http://image.vtls.com/BPW/indexes/138-150.html (number 142)

-- Randall Bass (Bellbluffcamp@aol.com), August 03, 2000.

You might contact Garreth McDonald of the SHORT LINE magazine. He has an article in the March/April 1974 edition about railroads in this area, but no mention of this one. 336/674.2168 short.line@worldnet.att.net

-- Tom Stallings (tlstalli@libertybay.com), July 15, 2000.

You amight contact Garreth McDonald of the

-- Tom Stallings (tlstalli@libertybay.com), July 15, 2000.

There is a two & a half page history of the Portsmouth & Roanoke RR in the front of Richard Prince's SEABOARD AIR LINE RAILWAY book, available from the ACL/SAL Historical Society, $28.00 + $3.00 shipping, at ACL & SAL HS Product Sales, P.O. Box 325, Valrico, Florida 33595-0352. You can use VISA or MC in payment. Beyond this source, the only other possability would be the Virginia State Library in Richmond, Va. They might have Portsmouth or Norfolk newspapers of the era and/or P&R annual reports in their collection. It should be remembered that we're talking about 160 years since the P&R was a company. There's a good likelyhood that the Seaboard & Roanoke, the P&R's successor destroyed any records they didn't need. And what the S&R didn't trash, an invading army probably burned the rest. If you don't have the Prince book, buy it, and help the Society. Otherwise, spend some research time at the new Virginia State Library.

-- Tom Underwood (tlunder@attglobal.net), July 15, 2000.