Western Union Telegraph Service and checked baggage service were all part of the W&OD in 1939. Even dogs could ride in the baggage cars "subject to tariff." By 1948 there was no checked baggage, no trunks, no Westren Union service, no dogs and "No Corpse will be accepted."
Here's a 1939 Schedule of the W&OD. Compare with this schedule of 1948.
Like many railroads and interurbans, the W & OD used train orders to control traffic on the line. Click HERE to see a train order from April 17 (no year listed). The order was issued at Herndon VA to Loco 55. It reads Loco 55 will run extra (can't read station) to Bluemont Jct and will meet extra 54 west at Vienna. jmm chief dispatcher.
Don Ross has an excellent web page for the W&OD set-up at http://donross.railspot.com/dr106.htm.
Part of the origianl right-of-way has disappeared into the I-66 extension to DC. However much of it was turned into a hiker/biker trail during the 1970's. The Friends of the W&OD trail have a nice informative web site with some railroad history and a few cool pictures.
