Virginia Dept. of Rail and Public Transportation, Eastern Shore Railroad Records, 1987-2007

Access and use

Location of collection:
Library of Virginia
The Library of Virginia
800 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Archives Reference Services
Phone: (804) 692-3888
Restrictions:

There are no restrictions.

Terms of access:

There are no restrictions.

Preferred citation:

Virginia Dept. of Rail and Public Transportation, Eastern Shore Railroad Records, 1987-2007. Accession 44252, State records collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

Summary

Creator:
Virginia Dept. of Rail and Public Transportation
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Virginia Dept. of Rail and Public Transportation, Eastern Shore Railroad Records, 1987-2007. Accession 44252, State records collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

Contains a variety of records relating to the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation and its involvment with the Eastern Shore Railroad. Most of the files are related to grants and funding for track rehabilitation and planning projects. Also included are budget records, quarterly reports, audit documents, and agreements.

Biographical / historical:

The Virginia Dept. of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) was initially a section of the Virginia Dept. of Transportation. In 1992, the DRPT was established as a separate agency responsible for rail and public transportation services. The Department reports to the Secretary of Transportation, but also continues to work closely with the Dept. of Transportation. The DRPT focuses on the movement of people and goods throughout the Commonwealth by concentrating on railroads, public transportation and commuter services. The mission of the DRPT is to improve the mobility of people and goods while expanding transportation choices in Virginia.

The Dept. of Rail and Public Transportation supports passenger and freight rail initiatives through advocacy, funding, providing advice, and conducting research. To safeguard Virginia's interests in the national rail network, the Department also represents the Commonwealth's interests regarding national rail issues. The Department also partners with, advises, supports and funds public transportation programs statewide, such as bus systems and commuter service organizations.

The Eastern Shore Railroad was a short-line railroad that began operations in 1981 on the New York, Philadelphia and Norfolk rail line that connected Pocomoke City, Maryland, to Cape Charles, Virginia. To traverse the remainder of the route, the railroad utilized a rail ferry service to move cars across the Chesapeake bay between Cape Charles and Norfolk, Virginia. The Eastern Shore Railroad interchanged with the Norfolk Southern Railway at both Norfolk and Pocomoke City. The Eastern Shore Railroad was bought by the Bay Coast Railroad company in 2006 and now operates under that name.

Acquisition information:
Transferred by Marie Berry, Rail Division, Virginia Dept. of Rail and Public Transportation, Richmond, Virginia, 13 April 2009.
Processing information:

This collection has been processed using minimal processing standards: the original arrangement has been maintained, the container list is brief and simple, and the records have not been refoldered and fasteners have not been removed.

Arrangement:

This collection is arranged into the following series:

  • Series I. Records, 1987-2007
Physical description:
3 cu. ft.