The Commonwealth Railway runs from a connection in Suffolk with Norfolk
Southern & CSX
to the U.S. Amines Alkyl Plant in the Port Norfolk section of
Portsmouth. The line also serves the new APM/Maersk terminal in
Portsmouth, VA as well. The line hauls single/double stack
traffic from both NS & CSX to the terminal in Portsmouth. The
line hauls alkyl chemicals to the U.S. Amines plant in
Portsmouth. This line was originally part of the NF&D line
that ran from Portsmouth to Danville, VA.
This section of the route was sold/leased as part of Norfolk Southern's
Thoroughbred
Shortline Program. Commonwealth currently (as of August 2008) has
four locomotives on their roster. They have two SW-1500's (#1551
& #1552) a CF-7 (#517) and one GP-16 (#444). As a side note,
the Commonwealth ROW is in the process of being moved to the median of
VA 164 & I-664 to eliminate 14 grade crossings in Chesapeake and
Portsmouth, VA. You can visit the VPI site with details about the
relocation by clicking here.
CWRY #517 works a loaded double-stack train at the Maersk terminal in Portsmouth, VA.
CWRY #1551 brings all four units eastbound towards the Maersk terminal in Portsmouth, VA.
Scanner Information
Typical Traffic & Volume
Typical Traffic & Volume
Commonwealth's main customer is the Maersk terminal in
Portsmouth, VA. There isn't a set schedule as to when the train
leaves Suffolk and heads for the terminal, it depends when container
traffic is delivered from NS & CSX. Commonwealth has a small
marshalling yard near downtown Suffolk, off Sporthsman Blvd where the
double-stack trains are assembled before being taken to the
terminal. Commonwealth serves its other customers (such as U.S.
Amines) as needed. Commonwealth operates at least one train daily
from Suffolk to Portsmouth & return.
CWRY #517 works a loaded double-stack train at the Maersk terminal in Portsmouth, VA.
CWRY #1551 brings all four units eastbound towards the Maersk terminal in Portsmouth, VA.