The Nelson and Albemarle Railroad

Rockfish to Esmont, VA

The Nelson and Albemarle was a shortline in central Virginia, and was named for the counties it passed through; it served local quarries and mines in the area. The western end of the line interchanged with the Southern (now Norfolk Southern) main line at Rockfish. The eastern end had a spur that extended to Esmont, a small community also served by the C&O at one time. The entire line shut down in the 1940s or 1950s.

One of the more interesting online businesses was a stone quarry at Schuyler. Though rail service to the quarry ceased long ago, parts of the quarry were still in operation as late as 2004. The quarry and surrounding country were the setting for the Waltons TV show; the fictional Walton family was based on the real Hamner family from the Schuyler area.

Brick bridge abutments near Esmont, largely overgrown by greener...
Brick bridge abutments near Esmont, largely overgrown by greenery. Photo by Mike Palmer, 5/16/2004.
Detail from the abandoned portion of the stone quarry, showing r...
Detail from the abandoned portion of the stone quarry, showing rusted "rail cars", at Schuyler, VA. Photo by Mike Palmer, 5/16/2004.
Abandoned N&A right-of-way at Schuyler, VA, now a dirt road.  No...
Abandoned N&A right-of-way at Schuyler, VA, now a dirt road. Note partially buried ties in the foreground. Photo by Mike Palmer, 5/16/2004.
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