possession of its property, including its subsidiaries, on June 15, 1892. Southern Railway System (1894-1982) On June 18, 1894, the R&D was sold in foreclosure. Its property was surrendered to Southern Railway Company for operation on July 1, 1894, even though the deeds of conveyance were not completed and filed until later. Reorganized by J.P. Morgan and his New York banking firm of Drexel, Morgan and Company, the R&D was merged with five other railroads to form the new Southern Railway. The R&D property was formally conveyed to Southern Railway Company by deeds dated January 9, 1896, and August 30, 1897. The Southern Railway Company, incorporated in Virginia on the same date, June 18, 1894, controlled over of line at its inception. Samuel Spencer became Southern's first president. Norfolk Southern (1982-present) Norfolk Southern Corporation, a holding corporation, acquired control of Norfolk and Western Railway Company and Southern Railway Company and their affiliates and subsidiaries on June 1, 1982, after approval by the Interstate Commerce Commission. Effective December 31, 1990, Southern Railway Company changed its name to Norfolk Southern Railway Company. Norfolk and Western Railway Company became a wholly owned subsidiary of Norfolk Southern Railway Company rather than a subsidiary of Norfolk Southern Corporation. In 1999, the system grew substantially with the acquisition of over half of Consolidated Rail Corporation (Conrail). Officers Presidents Whitmell P. Tunstall (1847 – February 19, 1854) A. F. D. (Adolphus Frederick Danberry) Gifford (February 19, 1854 – April 13, 1854) (acting president) Vincent Witcher (April 13, 1854 – December 10, 1856) Lewis E. Harvie (December 10, 1856 – September 12, 1865) Algernon Sidney Buford (September 13, 1865 – December 16, 1886) George S. Scott (1884, December 21, 1887 – December 18, 1889) Alfred Sully (December 16, 1886 – December 21, 1887) John H. Inman (December 18, 1889 – March 16, 1892) Walter G.(George) Oakman (March 16, 1892 – 1894) Vice presidents A. F. D. Gifford A. Y. Stokes (1868 or before – 1880/1) Joseph N.(Napoleon) DuBarry (Btw. 1876 and 1878 – 1880/1) Thomas M. Logan (1881/2 – 1883), 1st VP T. M. R.(Thomas Mann Randolph) Talcott (1881/2 – 1883, 1888/9 – 1889), 2nd VP 1881/2–1883, 1st VP 1888/9–1889 Joseph Bryan (1881/2 – 1884), 3rd VP Calvin S. Brice (1884), 1st VP Alfred L. Rives (1883 – 1885/6), 2nd VP Frederick W. Huidekoper (1885 – 1885/6), 1st VP Walter G.(George) Oakman (Fall 1883 – 1887, 1887 –