Class I & II
A photograph, showcasing the past and present of railroading on the Shenandoah Division, captures an N&W High Hood, a recently repainted Norfolk Southern Unit, and a Conrail Geep. All would later disappear into Norfolk Southern. Photograph taken near Rileyville, Virginia, outside of Luray in the early 80's.
Class I & II
Trunk Lines
The most profitable and physically large railroads were simply known as the "Class I's". Officially designated as profiting over 250 Million dollars (In 1991 Value) annually, today there are only seven freight hauling Class I's including Norfolk Southern Corporation, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway, Canadian National Railroad, and CSX Transportation. Historically, although they were not making anywhere near to 250 Million dollars, there have been many different class I's with trackage in the Commonwealth including the Richmond Fredericksburg & Potomac Railroad, the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway, and the Norfolk & Western Railway. All of these railroads now long gone, Virginia is now home to two class I's which are Norfolk Southern Corporation, and CSX Transportation.
Fun Fact: Technically, Canadian Pacific Railway also has trackage in Virginia through a decades old trackage rights agreement that one of CP's predecessors, the Delaware & Hudson Railway, made to access the RF&P's Potomac Yard in Alexandria.
Class I Trunk Lines
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