It’s so easy to be a tourist in my own state – there are interesting things everywhere! The town in Orange, Virginia has some lovely brickwork next to the tracks. There was also a large monument to the memory of the soldiers who died in the Civil War.

Orange grew because of the train terminal. The train brought passengers and supplies from Alexandria, at the other end of the state and carried away produce and products from the farms and factories.

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In 1888, a trestle near the town collapsed when a passenger train struck it. The trestle was named after a woman who lived there – Fat Nancy (hmm. . . wonder why that name would stick with me). According to the signage, 34 people died and 11 more were injured.

In 1965, the station was significantly damaged when girders came loose as a freight train came through town. There were no casualties and it was quickly rebuilt.

The train eventually ceased to stop in Orange and Amtrak refused to add the town to the stops. More recently, the buildings were sold to the city and became offices and the tourism bureau.

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The town of Orange is located in Orange County, north of Charlottesville, Virginia. It is about a 1.5 hour drive from Richmond. There are several antique stores there, along with other shopping.

Virginia Civil War Orange County train station train trestle Virginia