Chap. 250.—An ACT to amend and re-enact section 2 of an acta
proved March 3, 1884, entitled an act to incorporate the Virginia
Western railroad company. .

Approved May 16, 1887.

1. Be it enacted by the general assembly of Virginia, That
section two of the act approved March third, eighteen hun-
dred and eighty-four, entitled an act to incorporate the Vir-
ginia Western railroad company, be and the same is hereby
amended and re-enacted so as to read as follows:

§2. Said Virginia Western railroad company and its suc-
cessors, are authorized and empowered to construct and ope-
rate a railroad from any point on the Richmond and Alle-
ghany railroad in the county of Botetourt, or from any point
it may select in the counties of Botetourt, Craig, or Rock-
bridge, to the West Virginia State line, the Kentucky State
line, and the Tennessce State line, or either of them. It shall
be lawful for said company to construct and operate branch
railroads to any points within this State not exceeding sixty
miles in length: provided however, that no branch line shall
be put into operation until the main line bas been completed
and put into operation to the point where such connects with
the main line: and provided further, that neither the said
company nor its successors shall have the right to the exclu-
sive occupancy of any mounfain pass in any county through
which it is authorized to construct its road. In constructing
its railroad, it shall be lawful for said company to cross and
recross the State line into and out of said States, or any por-
tion of them, as often as it may deem necessary, upon such
terms as the State entered may require. In order to secure
a continuous line of railroad, to be Operated under one man-
agement, without change of cars or break of bulk, said com-
pany may acquire the franchises, rights, privileges, and prop-
erty of other chartered railroad companies in this and the
States aforesaid, or which may hereafter be chartered in said
States, by exchanging its stock, or by purchase, lease, or
otherwise, and it may merge or consolidate the same or any
of them, with said Virginia Western company, on such terms
as may be agreed upon between the contracting parties, and
may adopt anoiher name for the consolidated company, full
power and authority being hereby given this and such other
companies to make and carry out such consolidation and
merger: provided it shall not merge or consolidate with any
parallel or competing line.

2. This act shall bo in force from its passage.