Eastern Shore Railroad

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Eastern Shore Railroad, Inc.
Reporting marks ESHR
Locale Norfolk, Virginia to Pocomoke City, Maryland
Dates of operation 1981–2006
Track gauge ft 8½ in (1435 mm) (standard gauge)
Headquarters Cape Charles, Virginia

The Eastern Shore Railroad, Inc. (AAR reporting marks ESHR) was a Class III short-line railroad that began operations in October of 1981 on the 96 mile former Virginia and Maryland Railroad line on the Delmarva Peninsula. The line connected Pocomoke City, Maryland, to Norfolk, Virginia. The Eastern Shore Railroad used a rail ferry service to span the 26 mile water route across the Chesapeake Bay between Cape Charles, Virginia and Norfolk. Tug boats were contracted to move the two barges (car floats) of 25 and 15 car capacity. This particular car float operation has been in continuous service since April 1885, and is thought to be the only remaining service of this type in the United States. The Eastern Shore Railroad interchanged with the Norfolk Southern Railway at both Norfolk and Pocomoke City.

The Eastern Shore railroad was taken over in February 2006 by Cassatt Management, LLC., and is now operated as the Bay Coast Railroad.

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