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 | 4 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.
LLPX 2014, an EMD GP38 is used for switching the ferry terminal in Little Creek, Virginia. |
ESHR 8096, a GP10, named the "Cape Charles" is parked at the headquarters in Cape Charles, VA. |
[edit] External links
- Eastern Shore Railroad official website