The Virginian Railway, founded in 1907, quickly became a major competitor to the Chesapeake & Ohio and Norfolk & Western railroads in transporting coal from southern West Virginia. It helped develop the Winding Gulf Coalfield, known for its "smokeless" coal.

Business tycoon Henry Huttleston Rogers funded the Virginian, combining the Deepwater (Fayette County) and Tidewater Railways (Virginia). The line, finished in 1909, faced opposition from other railroads. The Virginian’s massive locomotives and heavy coal cars moved coal from West Virginia to ship-loading docks near Norfolk.

In 1925, the Virginian started using electric trains, which were faster and could carry more coal. The Virginian merged with the Norfolk & Western Railroad in 1959.