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The Victoria Railroad Park has been a part of the community since it was built in 2004. Most visitors will note the bright red caboose in the park that was built in the 1950s honoring the town’s rail heritage as a signature piece of the community park located on the ground of the former Virginia Railway maintenance yard that served as a passenger line between Norfolk and Roanoke before rail companies abandoned the lines in the 1960s. And as town officials look to move forward, continuing to develop the park is one of the ways they hope to bring people into Victoria. 

The focal point is Virginian Caboose No. 342. Completed and entered into service with the Virginian Railway in March 1959, it remained there until the mid-1980s, when it was stored serviceable at Princeton, West Virginia. The Town of Victoria acquired it in December 2004, bringing it to its current location. In addition to this centerpiece, the Park incorporates playground facilities, a basketball court, the Tobacco Heritage Trail as well as picnic tables for the citizens. The Park was singled out in the proposed comprehensive plan update as one of the local amenities. So what does it currently offer and then what are the plans 5 to 10 years down the road? 

What the Victoria Railroad Park includes now 

The park currently has two pavilions, playground equipment, seasonal restroom facilities, sand volleyball court, basketball court, horseshoe pits, paved walking trails, gravel walking trails, geo-caches to find, and other Virginia Railway equipment to accompany the bright red caboose. One of the trails offers access to the Tobacco Heritage Trail which courses throughout southern Virginia.  

Honoring the heritage of Victoria and its beginnings as a railroad town in 1906 is the reason for repurposing the railyard into the Victoria Railroad Park, according to William Pernell. He works as part of the town’s staff.

“The park has many purposes, the most important one to me is to provide a space for friends and families to gather,” Pernell said. “Our two pavilions and playground equipment provide ample reason to get outside and enjoy a beautiful day among the community. Another purpose of our park is to provide a space to host town sponsored events so that our community can enjoy an exciting event together. It all boils down to the idea of providing a safe and enjoyable space for everyone to enjoy.”

Pernell said residents regularly rent out the pavilions for community events and parties in addition to the variety of events hosted in the park throughout the year. A calendar of events can be found on the town of Victoria’s website. 

Looking toward the future

Pernell said the town will maintain a continued focus on the upkeep of the space for resident use.

“Our focus on the park would be to maintain the space and keep it going so that our community has a safe and enjoyable environment to access,” Pernell said. “The park is vital to providing recreational opportunities for our community as well as representing our town’s heritage so the focus at this moment is to maintain the space and keep it in an orderly state.”

Pernell said going forward the town plans to make Victoria Railroad Park more accessible. This will largely involve upgrading equipment and amenities for ADA compliance. 

“We want to make the park accessible to all who want to enjoy the space,” he added. “We are looking at ADA combination swing sets, whole playgrounds that accentuate accessibility, as well as various other ADA compliant playground equipment to allow children and adults with disabilities to enjoy playing at our park.”