The Train Rail

You have arrived in the area that once was one of the nations first Regional Railroad Hubs.

This area of 1st Street and Washington Avenue once hosted 5 Railroad Companies with trains coming and going in all directions.

What brought all these rail lines to Weldon was the river and the canal. Jointly, these early modes of transporting led to Weldon being known as an Early Transportation Hub.

Here’s why Weldon is known as an Early Transportation Hub.

• Weldon is located on the dividing line between the piedmont region, known for its rolling hills and the coastal plains for its flat lands. 
• In the River, between Weldon and Roanoke Rapids, the river drops in sea level 100 feet in a distance of about 9 miles resulting in many rapids in the river, making it unsafe for boats transporting goods from the mountains to the coast.

• A canal was built and completed in 1823 to bypass the rapids in the river
• Steamboats retrieve the goods being transported through the canal to carry to seaports
• By 1833,the Petersburg Railroad became The First Railroad to enter into North Carolina reaching its terminus near Weldon.
• The first railroad bridge across the river was completed in 1837 by the Portsmouth and Roanoke Railroad.
• In 1840 The Wilmington and Weldon Railroad was built and was described as the “Longest Railroad in the World” at the time of completion.
• The Raleigh and Gaston Railroad extended a line into Weldon in 1853.
• National publications began describing Weldon as a Regional Railroad Hub
• Weldon’s Early Transportation Hub was created from the many modes of transportation including canal boats, steamboats, the railroads and highways.

Visit the sites and read the signage to learn more about Weldon’s Early Transportation History.

Oldest Railroad Building in the State ca. 1840

The building on the right side of the train tracks is the Oldest Railroad building in the State.

The first portion (furthest away from the street) was built by the Portsmouth and Roanoke Railway between 1838 and 1845 as a Freight Depot. The building has been renovated and serves as a group of radio stations.

Weldon’s Union Station ca. 1911

The yellow brick building on the left is the old Union Station for the Atlantic Coast Lines and Seaboard Coast Lines. ACL passages would board the trains on the elevated track and SCL utilized the lower tracks. Passage service ceased in 1971 and the building became the public library in 1978. Passage service will soon return with Amtrak making daily stops.

The Red Caboose

Open for viewing and signage for reading

Take a selfie

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Amtrak Station – Coming Soon

Local government officials are working with the railroad to allow passenger service to return to Weldon. Amtrak will make daily stops. This will be several years in the making, but Weldon looks forward to the Economic boom this can provide.

Return to Beginning

To return to Rocky Rockfish Park

Walk along Washington Avenue,        toward the 3rd Street (2nd stop light)

Turn right onto 3rd Street at the 2 stop light.