Ryand “Bert” Ruble, W&OD Engineer
Among the many engineers who drove the Washington & Old Dominion Railroad was Ryland “Bert” Ruble
Ryland “Bert” Ruble at the controls
According to his granddaughter, Mary Timpano, Ryland Ruble worked on the W&OD from the mid-1930s until the mid-1950s. He was born April 1, 1903, in Craig County, Virginia, and died June 22, 1980, in Falls Church, Virginia.
In 1900 the rails were extended from Round Hill to Bluemont–connecting to Washington, D.C., and launching an era of summer tourist trade for the Blue Ridge Community. The train ran with its last stop in Bluemont from July 4, 1900 to 1939.
Having lived in Round Hill for many years, Mary Timpano recently left the area but, before she did, she sent these photos about railroad days.
Engineer looks from W&OD’s Car 41 at Bluemont Station
This shot, showing the entire station name, makes it clear that Car No. 41 is indeed at Bluemont Station
News clip photo commemorates the “Virginia Creeper,” a nickname for the W&OD’s passenger service, which ended in 1951. Photo shows the Cherrydale section of Arlington.
From 1912 to 1916, the W&OD electrified all its operations, becoming an inter-urban electric trolley system carrying passengers, mail, milk, and freight.