Eastern Shore Railroad

Eastern Shore Railroad, Inc.

Reporting mark	ESHR
Locale	Norfolk, Virginia to Pocomoke City, Maryland
Dates of operation	1981–2006
Track gauge	4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge
Headquarters	Cape Charles, Virginia

The Eastern Shore Railroad, Inc. (reporting mark ESHR) was a Class III short-line railroad that began operations in October 1981 on the 96 mile former Virginia and Maryland Railroad line on the Delmarva Peninsula. The line connected Pocomoke City, Maryland, to Norfolk, Virginia, interchanging with Norfolk Southern Railway at both ends.

A rail ferry service was used 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 one of only two remaining in the United States (the other being New York New Jersey Rail, LLC).

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.

See also

• Train ferry: United States for a list of current and former car floats and train ferries
• Bay Coast Railroad