Stoney Point Railroad – Jefferson, Virginia - Atlas Obscura
Stoney Point Railroad is permanently closed.

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Stoney Point Railroad

Jefferson, Virginia

Hop on the train and tour an elaborate miniature town made completely of junk (including the train). 

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The Stoney Point Railroad, known to locals as “Midgetville” is a miniature town built in the yard of retired coal miner Sam Johnson.

Sam started the town in 1996 and has continued building ever since. The town is made out of scraps and discarded materials and includes 1,700 feet of track with a working train car, a jail, post office, library, salt pump, and all the other trappings of a fully functioning town. The train, also built from odds and ends of metal scrap, runs off of a 1967 Chevy truck engine, Chevy rotors acting as locomotive wheels. 

Aside from the everyday things you’d see in any tiny town, Midgetville has some more unusual attractions. Odd sculptures litter the town, bicycle wheels spinning, a camel standing proudly on a pedestal, artwork that doesn’t let a single piece of junk go to waste. Besides a passion for trains, Sam’s interests lie in history, and the walk or ride down the track will reveal bits of his personal family tree as well as a history of the area.

If Sam, his wife, or his dog are around they will gleefully show you around and if you are a wee one, you’ll get a ride on the train. If they are out for the day, you are free to take a look around and walk the tracks. 

Located about five minutes out of the interesting town of Saltville, Virginia. Most residents of the “Salt Capital of the Confederacy” will point you there if you are out sightseeing.

Know Before You Go

The nearest town is Saltville, VA. Most Saltville residents can point you in the right direction. GPS will also get you there- these are the coordinates: 36.84999, -81.79882. You will pass under a trestle bridge.

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