Near Manassas in Prince William County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Unfinished Railroad
Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 10, 2006
1. The Unfinished Railroad Marker
Inscription.
The Unfinished Railroad. . Stonewall Jackson set up his defensive line along a two mile section of these cuts and fills, which were originally grading for the Independent Line of the Manassas Gap Railroad. The railroad, begun in the 1850’s, ran out of money after the roadbed had been built from Gainsville, 5 miles to the west, to Alexandria, 25 miles to the east. The coming of the war stopped whatever plans had been made to complete it. No track was ever laid over the grade.
Stonewall Jackson set up his defensive line along a two mile section of these cuts and fills, which were originally grading for the Independent Line of the Manassas Gap Railroad. The railroad, begun in the 1850’s, ran out of money after the roadbed had been built from Gainsville, 5 miles to the west, to Alexandria, 25 miles to the east. The coming of the war stopped whatever plans had been made to complete it. No track was ever laid over the grade.
Location. 38° 49.543′ N, 77° 32.926′ W. Marker is near Manassas, Virginia, in Prince William County. Marker is at the intersection of Featherbed Lane and General Trimbles Lane (a private road), on the left when traveling south on Featherbed Lane. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Manassas VA 20109, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 5 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Charge Bayonets! (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Unfinished Railroad
More about this marker. The marker was relocated to the National Park Service's parking area on the other side of the road in 2008.
Also see . . . 1. Why Save More [Park] Lands?. “A solid stand of pine trees had grown up near the embankment of the unfinished railroad and obscured the clear view that had existed during Second Manassas.” (Submitted on November 3, 2006.)
Fence blocks the way on the railroad bed heading west.
. Photograph of the railroad bed. (Submitted on November 3, 2006.)
Photographed By J. J. Prats, June 10, 2006
3. The Unfinished Railroad Marker In the Distance
Marker can be seen in front of the stairway leading up to a walking path. Fetherbed Lane, a gravel road, runs diagonally across the photograph from bottom to left, north to south. General Trimbles Lane starts on the right.
Photographed By Craig Swain, February 15, 2009
4. New Location
Note the park gate on the left.
Photographed By Craig Swain, February 15, 2009
5. The Unfinished Railroad
Looking at the location where the marker stood until recently. The "cut" beyond the fence is the railroad bed that was under construction when the war broke out. The railroad grade traverses the entire northern half of Manassas Battlefield.
Photographed By Craig Swain, February 15, 2009
6. Park Orientation Kiosk
Next to the marker is one of the Manassas Battlefield orientation kiosks, showing a map of the battlefield and explaining some of the park regulations.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 26, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 3, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 2,397 times since then and 61 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on November 3, 2006, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 4, 5, 6. submitted on April 27, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.