Atlantic, Valdosta and Western Railway

Last updated
Atlantic, Valdosta and Western Railway
Overview
Locale Georgia and Florida, USA
Dates of operation1897 (1897) (chartered)
1899 (1899) (opened)1902 (1902)
Successor Southern Railway
Technical
Length110 mi (180 km) (mainline)
45 mi (72 km) (branches) [1]

Chartered in 1897, the Atlantic, Valdosta and Western Railway operated from Valdosta, Georgia, to Jacksonville, Florida, and was nicknamed the Jacksonville Short Line. The line was opened in July 1899, [2] prefaced by a "bohemian smoker" banquet in Valdosta on June 27, 1899. [3] In May 1902, the railroad was purchased by the Georgia Southern and Florida Railway and their parent company Southern Railway. [1] The line was quickly integrated into Southern's passenger schedules with travel between Valdosta and Jacksonville advertised at about 312 hours. [4] Southern took control of the AV&W on July 1, 1902. [5]

In 1899, the railroad wanted to access the Jacksonville union terminal for its passenger trains. The Jacksonville Terminal Company, owners of the station, refused the railroad entry so the railroad took the matter to the Florida railroad commission. The commission, issuing its very first ruling ever, decided on September 4, 1899, that the railroad should be granted access in exchange for an appropriate station fee, [6] which was specified by the commission at a rate $4,300 less per year than the other railroad companies that were already using the station, [7] but the Terminal Company still refused, taking the matter to court. While the case was making its way, the railroad purchased one fourth of the stock of the Jacksonville Terminal Company, so that when it finally arrived at the state supreme court in December 1900, the court dismissed the case noting that the railroad had full access through its stock ownership and the case was no longer valid. [8]

Shortly before the railroad was sold, work began on an extension of the line from Valdosta to Albany, Georgia, with the goal of reaching Moultrie. [9]

The line remains in service today, and it now operates as Norfolk Southern Railway's Valdosta District. [10]

Historic stations

StateMilepostCity/LocationStation [11] [12] Connections and notes
GA 151.2 G Valdosta Valdostajunction with:
161.2 G Blanton Blanton
165.0 G Howell Howell
167.6 GMayday
173.4 GHaylowjunction with Savannah, Florida and Western Railroad Florida Division (ACL)
176.9 G Fruitland Fruitland
178.7 GThelma
184.0 GCraig Junction
194.0 G Calhoun Calhoun
185.6 GHeadlight
190.0 GFinlayson
192.3 GColon
194.0 GVickers Junction
198.4 G Fargo Fargo
199.0 G Edith Edith
200.0 GDuncan
204.4 G Council Council
205.7 GEwing
FL 207. GMorehead
216.5 GEddy
222.6 GBaxter
GA 223.2 G Moniac Moniac
Oliver
230.0 GClarking
232.7 GBattenville
234.7 G St. George St. George
FL 237.0 GSt. Marys
239.0 G Kent Kent
239.0 GJohnson City
244.1 G Crawford Crawfordjunction with Florida Central and Peninsular Railroad Southern Division (SAL)
Keen's
250.4 GPlummer
253.5 GSpalding
254.3 GKingsgrove
256.6 GHoyt
258.2 G Jacksonville Simpson Yard
258.0 GGrand Crossingjunction with Jacksonville and Southwestern Railroad (ACL)
261.8 G Jacksonville original station located on East Bay Street
relocated to Jacksonville Union Terminal in 1919
junction with:

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References

  1. 1 2 "Southern Expands". The Canebrake Herald. Uniontown, AL. May 28, 1902. p. 1 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  2. "Railway Builders Dined". The Atlanta Constitution. Atlanta, GA. July 20, 1899. p. 5 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  3. "Will Hold Bohemian Smoker". The Atlanta Constitution. Atlanta, GA. June 25, 1899. p. 4 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  4. "Altnatic, Valdosta & Western Railway Dixie Flyer Route". Tampa Bay Times. St. Petersburg, FL. June 28, 1902. p. 6 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  5. "Sale of the A.V.&W. Railway". The Florida Star. Titusville, FL. June 20, 1902. p. 5 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  6. "Commission's First Ruling". The Anniston Star. Anniston, AL. September 10, 1899. p. 1 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  7. "Road Petition Granted". The Tampa Tribune. Tampa, FL. September 10, 1899. p. 5 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  8. "(untitled)". The Atlanta Constitution. Atlanta, GA. December 23, 1900. p. 7 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  9. "Extension Work Is Started". The Atlanta Constitution. Atlanta, GA. March 24, 1902. p. 6 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  10. Norfolk Southern Georgia Division Timetable
  11. "Georgia Railroads: Passenger Stations & Stops" (PDF). Jim Fergusson's Railway and Tramway Station Lists (Georgia). Retrieved 5 June 2020.
  12. "Florida Railroads: Passenger Stations & Stops" (PDF). Jim Fergusson's Railway and Tramway Station Lists (Florida). Retrieved 5 June 2020.