Railfanning in Norfolk, Va.

Railfanning.org Digital Collection

Norfolk and Western's No. 1392, a 2-6-6-2, sits idle in Norfolk, Va., on June 13, 1957.

Railfanning.org

NORFOLK, Va. – The history of railroads in Norfolk begins in 1851 when the Commonwealth of Virginia authorized a road be built connecting the city and Petersburg.

The Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad was completed in 1858, and in 1870 it merged with the Virginia and Tennessee and the Southside railroads. It would later re-consolidated to form the Norfolk and Western.

Also in 1870, the Norfolk and Southern Railroad was chartered to operate between Norfolk and Elizabeth City N.C. It opened in 1881.

In 1879, the Norfolk Traction Company built a narrow gauge railroad between Ocean View and a railroad terminus at Church and Henry streets. The cars are drawn by a steam-powered locomotive and in 1895. Seven years later, electricity takes over as the motive power.

Starting in 1893, a 9-mile, narrow-gauge railroad between Norfolk and Virginia Beach was operated by the Norfolk and Virginia Railroad and Improvement Company. The road purchased the Seaside Hotel and Land Company and in 1884 constructed the Virginia Beach Hotel. In 1888, the hotel was remodeled and reopened as the Princess Anne Hotel.

The railroad in 1887 reorganized into the Norfolk, Virginia Beach and Southern Railroad. Twelve years later, the line was widened to standard gauge.

In 1883, the first car of coal arrived from Pocahontas fields over Norfolk and Western Railway.

In 1983, the Norfolk and Western Railroad merged with Southern Railways to form Norfolk Southern.