More than 125 years of moving freight across the Hampton Roads terminal district.
The Norfolk & Portsmouth Belt Line Railroad — the “Belt Line” — ran its first train on September 26, 1898, after being formed by eight line-haul railroads: the Norfolk & Western, Chesapeake & Ohio, Southern Railway, New York Philadelphia & Norfolk, Atlantic & Danville, Atlantic Coast Line, Norfolk & Southern and Seaboard Air Line.
Today, after mergers and consolidations of those original owners, Norfolk Southern Corporation owns fifty-seven percent of the company and CSX Corporation owns forty-three percent.
The Belt Line interchanges with both of its owners as well as the Buckingham Branch Railroad and the Chesapeake and Albemarle Railroad, giving the industries it serves good competitive transportation links to the world.
A terminal switching company, the Belt Line owns 36 miles of track — plus 27 miles of trackage rights — linking commerce around the deep-water port from Sewell’s Point to Portsmouth Marine Terminal and including the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River.
Belt Line customers include A&R Logistics, Portsmouth Marine Terminal, ARREFF Terminals, Elizabeth River Terminals and Perdue, to name a few.
In 2005 and 2006 the Belt Line received the Jake Award, and in 2007 and 2008 the Jake Award with Distinction, from the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, in recognition of exceeding the industry safety average.
Safe railroad operations equate to dependable, cost-effective railroad service. Switching services are available to meet customer needs, and the Belt Line’s switching fees are most often absorbed in the line-haul carrier’s rates — therefore transparent to the customer, who normally receives one bill for services rendered.
The Belt Line is structured for timely, customer-focused service.
Tell us what you need to ship and we’ll connect you with the right service.
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