Manassas in Prince William County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Unfinished Railroad
Photographed By Craig Swain, August 11, 2012
1. Unfinished Railroad Marker
During the 1850s, two local railroads - the Orange & Alexandria and the Manassas Gap - met at Manassas Junction. In order to reach commercial markets near Washington, the Manassas Gap Railroad signed an agreement with its rival to use its tracks from the junction to the port of Alexandria. The annual cost of track rental cut into profits, however, and officials sought an alternate route.
The Manassas Gap decided to lay its own track from Gainesville to Alexandria. Work on the "Independent Line" commenced in 1854 as engineers surveyed the proposed route. Local slaves and Irish immigrants provided much of the labor - felling trees, leveling the roadbed, and quarrying stone for bridge abutments. By the time grading operations neared completion in 1858, the company halted the project for lack of funds. No track was ever laid. The abandoned railbed became a ready-made defensive position for Confederate troops at Second Manassas.
Erected by Manassas National Battlefield Park - National Park Service - Department of the Interior.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Railroads & Streetcars • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.
Location. 38° 49.529′ N, 77° 32.943′ W. Marker is in Manassas,
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A different marker also named The Unfinished Railroad (within shouting distance of this marker); Charge Bayonets! (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named The Unfinished Railroad (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Archer’s Brigade (about 700 feet away); Second Brigade (about 700 feet away); 20th New York State Militia (approx. ¼ mile away); 63rd Pennsylvania Infantry (approx. ¼ mile away); 15th Alabama Infantry (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manassas.
Also see . . . Unfinished Railroad. Older marker that stood at this location. (Submitted on August 28, 2012, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 20, 2023
2. Unfinished Railroad Marker
Photographed By Craig Swain, August 11, 2012
3. Railroad Map
Map depicting the projected route of the Manassas Gap Railroad and its extensions. The rival O&A Railroad is not shown.
Photographed By Craig Swain, August 11, 2012
4. Elevation Diagram at Bottom of Map
Photographed By Craig Swain, August 11, 2012
5. Unfinished Railroad Marker
Photographed By Bradley Owen, October 20, 2016
6. The Unfinished Railroad Bed
Credits. This page was last revised on April 11, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 28, 2012, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 647 times since then and 28 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on August 28, 2012, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 2. submitted on April 29, 2023, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 28, 2012, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 6. submitted on February 24, 2021, by Bradley Owen of Morgantown, West Virginia.
