Yadkin Valley Railroad

The Yadkin Valley Railroad operates shortline freight service in the foothill counties of North Carolina's northwestern Piedmont region. The road makes use of two lines originating in Rural Hall: One branch heads runs 63 miles to Elkin and North Wilkesboro and a second line runs 30 miles to Mount Airy. The company began operations in 1989 after leasing these two lines from Norfolk Southern, a part of the "Thoroughbred Leasing Program." The shortline is a part of the Gulf & Ohio Railways operating group, and interchanges with the NS near Winston-Salem.

HawkinsRails thanks railfan friend Ben Wells for use of his photos for this collection

Motive Power

Yadkin Valley #3616

Rural Hall, NC / Ben Wells / collection

Yadkin Valley #3616

builder:Electro Motive Division
model:GP38
type:B-B road switcher
built:Oct 1967, EMD #33344
series:466 produced 1966-71
engine:EMD 645E (16 cyl, 2000 hp)
notes:
blt Baltimore & Ohio #3826, to CSX #2026
to Conecuh Valley #3616
to Yadkin Valley #3616

Yadkin Valley #3617

Rural Hall, NC / Ben Wells / collection

Yadkin Valley #3617

builder:Electro Motive Division
model:GP38
type:B-B road switcher
built:Sep 1967, EMD #33280
series:466 produced 1966-71
engine:EMD 645E (16 cyl, 2000 hp)
notes:
blt Maine Central #263
later Helm Leasing #3617
to Carolina Southern, Yadkin Valley #3617