Hi all,

I'm currently doing some research on interurban lines in Virginia and am trying to compile an equipment roster of the Richmond-Ashland Railway of Richmond, Virginia. Unfortunately, there is very little information about the cars owned by this line and so I am interested if anybody has any info about the cars used by this route.

As of now, I know that the roster consisted of a few Ex Washington-Virginia Railway cars, (Brill 1918) (#316 for sure but other sources mention #317 and #319 though I doubt #317) Ex Petersburg, Hopewell, & City Point Railway cars, (Jewett) (#110 to #112 possibly.) (#110 was later resold back to the PH&CP but #112 remained on the roster until the end in 1938.) Ex Jersey Central Traction cars, (Brill 1916) (Not sure the numbers but sold by Jersey Central to PH&CP before ending up on the Richmond-Ashland.) (Possibly #342?) I have also heard that they had a few Stephenson cars but have not found any pictures of these cars. The line also had a few line cars/MoW cars (#96) There was also a trailer numbered #108.

Thanks,

Nick Jobe
Centreville, VA

Interesting project! I know almost nothing about Virginia interurban lines but can relay a bit of builder information. The book put out a few years ago on Jewett actually claims that cars were ordered by the PH&CP but never delivered because Jewett went out of business before the order could be filled. But this book's order list doesn't seem to be 100% complete so I wouldn't necessarily rule out your information on cars #110-112. The book also provides a sketchy outline of the PH&CP's roster as of 1918.

Harold Cox's order lists also include the 1918 Brill cars and list car numbers including 316, 318, and 319 as well as perhaps others. He also confirms your information on the ex-Jersey Central Traction cars. I've never found any Stephenson order lists, unfortunately.

Lind's book on St Louis Car Company lists order #655 placed in 1906 by the Richmond & Chesapeake Bay Railway for four double-truck cars numbered #101-104, said to have been sold to the Richmond-Ashland Railway in 1919.

Thanks for the info Frank! After delving a little deeper into some photos I purchased, here's the numerical roster of cars that I am 100% were owned by the Richmond-Ashland Railway:

#96 - Unknown Line Car
#101 - 1906 St. Louis Car Co. (Probably never operated on the line due to voltage change)
#102 - 1906 St. Louis Car Co. (Probably never operated on the line due to voltage change)
#103 - 1906 St. Louis Car Co. (Probably never operated on the line due to voltage change)
#104 - 1906 St. Louis Car Co. (Probably never operated on the line due to voltage change)
#108 - Unknown Trailer
#110 - 1917 Jewett (EX PH&CP #110) (Repurchased by PH&CP in 1928)
#112 - 1917 Jewett (EX PH&CP #112) (Used until the end of service in 1938)
#316 - 1918 Brill (Used until the end of service in 1938)

As you can tell, still got a ways to go before I feel confident that I have a good roster.

Here are some cars that various sources say operated on the Richmond-Ashland line at one point or another but I'm not 100% sure.

#111 - 1917 Jewett (EX PH&CP #111) (No photographic evidence)
#113 - 1917 Jewett (EX PH&PC #113) (Educated guess lol)
#342 - Unknown Motor (Possibly wrong number)
#319 - 1918 Brill (No photographic evidence)
Any of the Ex Central Jersey Traction cars (No photographic evidence)

Lastly, here are some cars I am doubtful ran on the Richmond-Ashland Line.

#317 - 1918 Brill (Photographic evidence car was still in NoVa in late 1930's.)
#318 - 1918 Brill (Photographic evidence car was still in NoVa in late 1930's.)

In regards to the three Jewett cars (#110-#112), I read through a portion of the Jewett book on Google Books and noticed that it appeared that these three cars were originally part of the 4th ever order placed for Jewett. The book also mentions that four cars from this initial sale (which was to the PH&CP) would end up on the Richmond-Ashland and I'm guessing these three cars were part of that group. That would most likely mean there was a fourth car, possibly #109 or #113.

In regards to the order cancelation, I believe that the PH&CP was actually going to place another order for ten more cars from Jewett but those were ultimately cancelled when the firm went out of business. I don't know how many cars were in the initial order.

Thanks again,

Nick

Here's a picture of 101 from the tmny.org site:


Bigger image here:
https://tinyurl.com/tmny6260