Railroads on the
Eastern Shore

The Eastern Shore of Virginia has a rich history when it comes to railroads. The area was first connected to the rest of the country by rail in the mid-19th century, and the railroads played an important role in the development of the region's economy.

The earliest railroad on the Eastern Shore was the New York, Philadelphia, and Norfolk Railroad, which was chartered in 1853. This railroad was part of a larger network that connected New York and Philadelphia to Norfolk, Virginia. The Eastern Shore section of the railroad ran from Pocomoke City, Maryland, to Cape Charles, Virginia, and it opened for business in 1884.

The arrival of the railroad had a significant impact on the Eastern Shore. Before the railroad, the primary means of transportation and communication were boats and stagecoaches. The railroad brought a faster and more efficient way to transport goods and people, which helped spur economic growth in the region.

In the early 20th century, the New York, Philadelphia, and Norfolk Railroad was acquired by the Pennsylvania Railroad, which also operated several other railroads in the region. The Pennsylvania Railroad expanded the rail network on the Eastern Shore, building additional lines and improving existing ones.

One of the most notable railroad projects on the Eastern Shore was the construction of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel in the 1960s. This 17.6-mile bridge-tunnel connected the Eastern Shore to the mainland of Virginia and included a railroad line. The railroad line was used primarily to transport coal from mines in West Virginia to power plants on the Eastern Shore.

There are currently no railroads operating on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. The last railroad to operate on the Eastern Shore was the Virginia Eastern Railroad, which ceased operations in 1957. However, there are plans to establish a new rail service on the Eastern Shore known as the Virginia Passenger Rail Expansion Project, which would connect the region to the existing Amtrak service in Norfolk, Virginia. The project is still in the planning phase and is not expected to begin operations until 2026 at the earliest.

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The Model Railroad Museum of Hampton Roads will be a fantastic community center based on running, operating and even building your own model railroads! There's something for every age here.

Learn about the real history of this area and how important it was in the building of America. Watch how railroads were built, the people involved, where America's roots were formed. 

As they build their own railroads, students will be learning about science, electronics,  architecture, technology, engineering, mathematics, and the art of 3 dimensional model landscaping. They can earn rewards for completing projects and winning contests.

Try to solve yardmaster problems on a switching layout like getting the lumber from the forest to the furniture store, by way of the saw mill and the lumber yard.

Run your train around blockades and other trains to get to the station on time without speeding or crashing.

Play railroad monopoly using model railroads. Winner is the one who can collect the most cars into his yard within an hour.

There will be programs for autistic and special needs kids, disabled adults and veterans.

School tours. Holiday Shows. Library and video rooms. Scouts are welcome. Even youngsters will have their own wooden models to enjoy. Classrooms and hands-on clinics for adults. Learn how to get started in the hobby. Or just enjoy the fun.

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