slopes. The empty cars were hauled back uphill by the mules to the mine, to be reloaded again. In one area the weight of the loaded cars and their downhill motion pulled the empty cars (connected to the full ones by ropes and drums) back toward the mines. One of the most remarkable features was a cycloidal inclined plane, a drum and rope device by which loaded coal-carrying cars lowered down the steep western slope of Falling Creek Valley pulled by two empty cars traveling up the slope. On the eastern side, the loaded cars were then raised over a distance, with power supplied by animals. After completing that movement, the roadbed was mostly a gradual downhill slope over relatively level terrain towards Manchester. Revenues 1843: $37,104.43 for 11,496 cars (822,200 bushels) 1847: $37,329.55 for 20,694 cars (1,552,050 bushels) 1849: $39,591.95 for 17,723 cars of coal (1,329,225 bushels) Presidents Nicholas Mills George Fisher (1843) Heritage & remnants The Chesterfield Railroad is commemorated by two Virginia Historical Markers and an exhibit in the Chesterfield County Museum, located near the court house. In addition, various portions of the road bed still exist today. Gallery First Railroad in Virginia Historical marker & remnant site nearby Historical marker |VA-S30, is located on U.S. Route 60, at Pocoshock Creek, 3.78 miles (6.08 km) west of the Richmond city limits at State Route 150, and 1.5 miles (2.41 km) west of the junctions of US Highway 60 and State Route 76. At this location, a short portion of the former rail bed on a fill is still visible just south of the marker, between a retail center and a condominium complex. Chesterfield Railroad Virginia Historical marker & remnant site nearby Historical marker |VA-O64 is located about east of the Village of Midlothian in U.S. Route 60. Just west of this marker, the site of the cycloidal inclined plane on the steep western slope of Falling Creek Valley is still recognizable and juxtaposes the remains of the railroad bridge at Falling Creek. The location is about east of the Village of Midlothian on U.S. Route 60. Chesterfield County Museum An exhibit on local mining history in the Chesterfield Museum includes a length of iron rail from the incline railway, first in Virginia. Extant Remnants After its discontinuation in 1851, the Chesterfield Railroad roadbed was used as a trail or road for various sections and as a property