In early 1836 a petition was made to the Virginia legislature asking "for a charter for a Rail-Road, from the Pits of the Black Heath Company of Colliers to James River, at some point above Bosher's Dam." This railroad, officially called the James river and Blackheath rail-road, was laid out and began construction in the summer of 1837. The route ran downhill from the Maidenhead mines to the James River and intersected the Salle Pits. From there, the coal would be taken across the river and down the Kanawha Canal to Richmond to be sold. This railroad lasted from 1838 to approximately 1850 and was around 3 to 4 miles long.