THE BELVOIR RAILROAD
The Belvoir RR was constructed about 1918 in support of WWI. In 2018 no known parts of it exist although some RR bed may still be visible. The vast majority of the RR was on Fort Belvoir. Originally there were six Belvoir RR trestles constructed about 1918. By 1929 they had been replace.
More history is at: https://flh.fhwa.dot.gov/projects/va/belvoir/documents/HistAmerEngineeringRecordFtBelvoirRailrdBridgeReport-Draft.pdf
HISTORIC AMERICAN ENGINEERING RECORD FORT BELVOIR RAILROAD BRIDGE (Facility No. 1433) HAER No. VA-141
More history is at: https://flh.fhwa.dot.gov/projects/va/belvoir/documents/HistAmerEngineeringRecordFtBelvoirRailrdBridgeReport-Draft.pdf
HISTORIC AMERICAN ENGINEERING RECORD FORT BELVOIR RAILROAD BRIDGE (Facility No. 1433) HAER No. VA-141
Below are scans of pics - trestles 1,2,3 and 6. Note trestle 1 is short and crosses old RR right of way. Trestle 2 is a long trestle. Trestle 3 is short.
Overview of Railroad line. The red line is thought to be the Belvoir RR line. Upper left is historical Accotink Station, below it is where the Belvoir RR intersected the main line. Bottom right is the end of the Belvoir RR. There were 6 trestles built in 1918. Trestle 1 was probably near the upper left and Trestle 6 was probably in the lower right. Trestle 5 is probably well located.
Historical Accotink Station no longer exists. Writings indicate Army personnal debarked main line trains at Accotink Station to embark the train to Ft. Belvoir. Note the Belvoir RR spurs off of the main line. For bearings, note the white storage tanks on the upper left. Trestle 1 crossed a road.
The RR tracks SE.
Picture above is crossing Telegraph Road. Exact location of Trestles 2 thru 4 are unknown at this time.
Continuation of RR.
Trestle 5 - the 9th street Trestle was documented as the highest trestle. It was also documented the valley crossed by the trestle was later filled.
Even in 2018 buidings still line up against the old RR track bed.
The RR ended near some buildings.
TRESTLE 1 PICTURES
Note the script indicating Cinderbed Road which exists in 2018.
TRESTLE 2 PICTURES
Trestle 5 spanned Highway 1 and is documented at HISTORIC AMERICAN ENGINEERING RECORD FORT BELVOIR RAILROAD BRIDGE (Facility No. 1433) HAER No. VA-141