 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (September 2018) |
| Overview | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Headquarters | Petersburg, Virginia | ||
| Locale | Virginia | ||
| Founder | Francis Mallory | ||
| Dates of operation | 1858–1870 | ||
| Successor | Atlantic, Mississippi and Ohio Railroad | ||
| Technical | |||
| Track gauge | 5 ft (1,524 mm) gauge[1] | ||
| |||
The Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad was built between Norfolk and Petersburg, Virginia and was completed by 1858. The line was 85 miles (137 km) of 5 ft (1,524 mm)[2] track gauge.
It played a role on the American Civil War (1861–1865), and became part of the Atlantic, Mississippi and Ohio Railroad (AM&O) in 1870. The AM&O became the Norfolk and Western (N&W) in 1881. About 100 years later, the Norfolk and Western was combined with the Southern Railway, another profitable carrier, to form the Norfolk Southern Railway in 1982.
In the 21st century, almost all of the original well-engineered N&P, including the corduroy roadbed through the Great Dismal Swamp and 52-mile tangent alignment is still in service. It forms part of a major coal export route terminating at Lambert's Point near Hampton Roads. In addition to coal, most of the route is in active use in the 20th century for intermodal container and automobile parts and completed vehicle shipments.
- ^ "South Side". Confederate Railroads.
- ^ "Norfolk & Petersburg". Confederate Railroads.