The Laurel Line, as the L&WV was most commonly known, fits the general pattern of intercity electric railways, but it was also unusual in several respects. It was built higher than normal standards for electric railroads; it operated mostly with a third rail power system; it ran exclusively on private rights-of-way; it served a geographically narron region whose economy was heavily dependent on one industry - coal; and perhaps most importantly, many of its corporate records are extant.