Norfolk and Western Railway Co. - 1960's-70's dated Railroad Stock Certificate

Railroad Stock. 3 varieties of lettering in the title, plus 2 types with logo added to vignette of long train with female figure, etc. Nice!! Rare!!! Available in Blue or Brown. Please specify color.

The Norfolk and Western Railway (reporting mark N&W) was a prominent US Class I railroad that emerged from over 200 railroad mergers spanning from 1838 to 1982. Headquartered in Roanoke, Virginia, for most of its existence, the N&W was known for its motto, “Precision Transportation.” It also held various nicknames, such as “King Coal” and “British Railway of America.” During the Civil War, the N&W held the distinction of being the largest railroad in the Confederacy and played a significant role in facilitating the transportation of supplies for the war effort.

The N&W was renowned for its remarkable achievements in manufacturing its own steam locomotives and hopper cars. These locomotives were crafted at the esteemed Roanoke Shops, while the hopper cars were produced at the same facility. Notably, after 1960, the N&W became the last major Class I railroad to continue using steam locomotives. The last remaining Y class 2-8-8-2 locomotives were eventually retired between 1964 and 1965.

In a pivotal moment, the N&W merged with its longtime rival, the Virginian Railway (reporting mark VGN), in December 1959. This merger marked a significant turning point in the railroad industry. By 1970, the combined N&W and VGN systems had expanded to an impressive 14,881 miles of track, spanning from North Carolina to New York and from Virginia to Iowa. This extensive network encompassed a staggering 7,595 miles of road.