Our vision: to be the safest, most customer-focused and successful terminal switching railroad in the United States — linking industry and the Port of Virginia for more than a century.
The Belt Line is a terminal switching company connecting commerce around the deep-water port — structured for timely, dependable, cost-effective service.
Reliable switching across the Hampton Roads terminal district. Our switching fees are most often absorbed in the line-haul carrier’s rate, so customers typically receive a single bill for service.
Direct interchange with both owners — Norfolk Southern and CSX — as well as the Buckingham Branch and Chesapeake & Albemarle railroads.
Rail connections to Portsmouth Marine Terminal, Elizabeth River terminals and the deep-water Port of Virginia, from Sewell’s Point to Portsmouth.
Competitive transportation links for industries along 36 miles of owned track — serving customers like Perdue, A&R Logistics and ARREFF Terminals.
Formed by eight line-haul railroads and running its first train in 1898, the Belt Line today owns 36 miles of track — plus 27 miles of trackage rights — linking commerce from Sewell’s Point to Portsmouth Marine Terminal and the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River.
Now jointly owned by Norfolk Southern and CSX, we give the industries we serve competitive transportation links to the world.
The Belt Line earned the Jake Award from the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association in 2005 and 2006, and the Jake Award with Distinction in 2007 and 2008, for exceeding the industry safety average.
Safe railroad operations equate to dependable, cost-effective railroad service — the foundation of everything we do.
