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Eastern Shore Railroad
The Eastern Shore Railroad operated 65 miles of an ex-Pennsylvania Railroad line, first opened in 1884. From a (former) Conrail connection at Pocomoke City, MD, the line travels south along the "eastern shore" peninsula of Virginia to Cape Charles. From Cape Charles, the line connects to the Norfolk area railroads via an unusual 24 mile carfloat operation. The ESHR was incorporated in 1981. Shops are at Cape Charles.
Motive Power
Eastern Shore #2000
Cape Charles, Va / May 2004 / RWH
Eastern Shore #2000
- builder:Electro Motive Division, ICG
- model:GP10 "Paducah rebuild"
- type:B-B road switcher
- built:1957, EMD #22315
- engine:EMD 567C rebuilt (16 cyl)
- notes:
- rebuilt to GP10 by ICG, 1970
to Precision National #2000
to Eastern Shore #2000
Cape Charles, Va / May 2004 / RWH
Cape Charles, Va / May 2004 / RWH
Eastern Shore #2001
Cape Charles, Va / May 2004 / RWH
Eastern Shore #2001
- builder:Electro Motive Division, ICG
- model:GP10 "Paducah rebuild"
- type:B-B road switcher
- built:1958, EMD #23862
- engine:EMD 567C rebuilt (16 cyl)
- notes:
- rebuilt to GP10 by ICG, 1972
to Eastern Shore #2001, 1988
Cape Charles, Va / May 2004 / RWH
Eastern Shore #8096
Cape Charles, Va / May 2004 / RWH
Eastern Shore #8096
- builder:Electro Motive Division, ICG
- model:GP10 "Paducah rebuild"
- type:B-B road switcher
- built:1955, EMD #20175
- engine:EMD 567C rebuilt (16 cyl)
- notes:
- rebuilt to GP10 by ICG, 1969
to Eastern Shore #8096 - unit named "Cape Charles"
Cape Charles, Va / May 2004 / RWH
Eastern Shore #1600, "Norfolk"
GP8 (1974) / Cape Charles, Va / May 2004 / RWH
Eastern Shore #1600
- builder:Electro Motive Division, ICG
- model:GP10 "Paducah rebuild"
- type:B-B road switcher
- built:1958, EMD #25035
- engine:EMD 567C rebuilt (16 cyl)
- notes:
- rebuilt to GP10 by ICG, 1974
to Hillsdale County
to Eastern Shore #1600 - unit named "Norfolk"
Eastern Shore #8066, "Exmore"
Cape Charles, Va / May 2004 / RWH
Eastern Shore #8066
- builder:Electro Motive Division, ICG
- model:GP10 "Paducah rebuild"
- type:B-B road switcher
- built:1954, EMD #19908
- engine:EMD 567C rebuilt (16 cyl)
- notes:
- rebuilt to GP10 by ICG, 1974
to Eastern Shore - unit named "Exmore"
Eastern Shore #2085
Cape Charles, Va / May 2004 / RWH
Eastern Shore #2085
- builder:American Locomotive Company
- model:MRS-1
- type:C-C road switcher
- built:1953, Alco #80401
- series:83 produced in 1953
- engine:unkown model, 1000 hp
- notes:
- ex United States Air Force
Cape Charles, Va / May 2004 / RWH
Cape Charles, Va / May 2004 / RWH
Rolling Stock
6-axle idler flat car / Cape Charles, Va / May 2004 / RWH
company truck / Cape Charles, Va / May 2004 / RWH
Locations
carfloat apron at dock / Cape Charles, Va / May 2004 / RWH
Lagniappe
During a vacation to the Eastern Shore of Virginia in 2004, it was a pleasure to discover the ESHR and to drive through numerous little peninsula towns along the right of way. Having grown up watching ICG Paducah rebuilds in my home town, the Eastern Shore's roster is right up my alley. They had a great GP8/GP10 collection, even though some of the units do not appear to be operating. I always like it when railroads name their units for the various towns they serve along the line. Of course, the well-known carfloat operation is a fantastic treat for shortline fans, and the yard and service area near the float apron in Cape Charles offers lots to discover. The ex-Army MRS-1 Alco is a rare bird as well. The Eastern Shore Railway museum, midway up the line, has some nice rolling stock on display.
Links / Sources
- Edward A. Lewis, American Shortline Railway Guide - Fifth Edition (Kalmbach, 1996) 114
- Charles W. McDonald, Diesel Locomotive Rosters (Kalmbach, 1992) 67
- 1988 Official Railway Guide