Virginia Interurbans and Streetcar Railroads

(Please note that the below photos are simply random images of trolleys and interubans.)

The southern states are not known for their interurban systems, despite the fact that there was no real reason why they never developed in the region. In any event, Virginia interurbans did not follow the typical pattern of other nearby states. For whatever reason, perhaps due to its close proximity to other more developed states like West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, Virginia was home to a handful of interurbans as well as several smaller streetcar and suburban systems. Unfortunately, few of the state's interurbans survived very long and most were gone by the 1920s. Its street railways, however, lasted a bit longer as many like the Richmond Railway, Newport News, Hampton & Old Point Railway, and Norfolk City Railway survived until after World War II before ending operations.

Arlington & Fairfax Electric Railway: The Arlington & Fairfax Electric Railway began operations in 1891 connecting its namesake towns. Streetcar operations survived until 1937 when buses replaced railroad services.

Washington, Alexandria & Mount Vernon Electric Railway: The Washington, Alexandria & Mount Vernon Electric Railway served the Alexandria area beginning operations in 1892. It was renamed the Alexandria, Barcroft & Washington Transit Company in 1921 and discontinued streetcar railroad operations in 1932.

Charlottesville & University Street Railway: The Charlottesville & University Street Railway served the City of Charlottesville and Virginia University. It began operations in 1887 on a five-mile railroad system and was renamed the Charlottesville & Albemarle Railway in 1903. Streetcar operations survived until 1935.

Danville Street Car Company: The Danville Street Car Company began operations in 1886 serving its namesake city. It was renamed the Danville Railway & Electric Company in 1900 and again changed hands in 1911 as the Danville Traction & Power Company. Streetcar operations survived until 1938.

Lynchburg Street Railway Company: The Lynchburg Street Railway Company began operations in 1891 serving its namesake city. It was renamed a number of times during its existence including as the Lynchburg Electric Railway & Light Company (1898) and Lynchburg Traction & Light Company (1901). Streetcar services survived until 1941.

Norfolk City Railway: The Norfolk City Railway was the first of many interurban railroads to serve the port city, dating back to 1866 as a horse-powered operation. It was renamed the Norfolk Street Railroad in 1894, again in 1899 as the Norfolk Railway & Light Company, again in 1902 as the Norfolk & Portsmouth Traction Company, and finally in 1911 as the Virginia Railway & Power Company. Streetcar service survived until the mid-1940s when buses replaced railroad operations.

Richmond Railway: The Richmond Railway is one of the oldest interurbans to ever operate in the country dating back to 1860 and operations were actually suspended during the Civil War. In 1881 it was renamed the Richmond City Railway Company and changed hands several more times during streetcar service (Richmond Passenger & Power Company, 1900; Virginia Passenger & Power Company, 1901; Virginia Railway & Power Company, 1909; Virginia Electric & Power Company, 1925; and finally in 1944 as the Virginia Transit Company). Streetcar service survived until 1949.

Petersburg Electric Railway: The Petersburg Electric Railway began operations in 1896 taking over from several smaller operations serving Petersburg. This operation did not last long as it was renamed the South Side Railway & Development Company in the same year. In 1901 it was renamed the Virginia Passenger & Power Company, again in 1909 as the Virginia Railway & Power Company and finally in 1925 as the Virginia Electric & Power Company. Streetcar service remained until 1936.

Roanoke Street Railway: The Roanoke Street Railway began operations in 1887 serving its namesake city. It was renamed the Roanoke Railway & Electric Company in 1901 and carried on streetcar operations until 1940 when services were abandoned.

Virginia Electric Power Company: The Virginia Electric Power Company was actually a conglomeration of street railway systems in Richmond and Norfolk was as an interurban line serving Petersburg and Richmond. It was a well maintained electric operation, partly due to its power plant subsidiary. Operations continued through 1936 until it was finally discontinued.

Bristol Traction Company: The small Bristol Traction was actually a narrow-gauge steam line that operated part of its route as an interurban system between 1912 and 1918 connecting Bristol and Big Creek.

Richmond & Chesapeake Bay Railway: The R&CB began operations in October, 1907 serving Richmond and Ashland on a 15-mile system. It never reached the Chesapeake Bay and the original system only survived into 1918. It was reorganized as the Richmond-Ashland Railway and survived until 1938 when it was finally abandoned.

Other notable Virginia interurbans:

Washington, Arlington & Falls Church Railway

Bristol Street Car Company

Norfolk & Atlantic Terminal Company

Norfolk & Ocean View Railway

Roanoke Railway & Light Company

Shenandoah Traction Company

For a small gallery of photographs highlighting Virginia interurbans and streetcar railroads please click here.

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