Norfolk is Norfolk Southern's namesake city and a critical coal export terminal. Lamberts Point is the largest coal transloading facility in the Northern Hemisphere, loading coal onto vessels for international export. The Port of Virginia's container terminals also feature excellent rail connectivity for intermodal trade.
Railroads Serving Norfolk
Norfolk is served by Norfolk Southern and CSX, providing solid Class I railroad coverage for freight shippers in the Norfolk metro area.
Norfolk Southern
Norfolk Southern Railway operates a major rail network in the eastern United States, serving 22 states. NS is a leading carrier for intermodal, coal, automotive, and merchandise freight.
CSX
CSX Transportation operates a rail network across 23 eastern states, connecting major ports, production centers, and population hubs. CSX handles intermodal, coal, chemicals, automotive, and agricultural freight.
Understanding how Class I and short line railroads work together is key to efficient rail shipping. Read our guide: Short Line vs Class I Railroads.
Key Rail Terminals & Yards
Major rail facilities in and around Norfolk include:
- Lamberts Point (NS)
- Norfolk International Terminals rail yard
These facilities handle car classification, intermodal transfers, and bulk commodity loading and unloading operations. Learn how classification yards sort and route freight in our article: How Railroad Classification Yards Work.
Commodities Shipped by Rail
Key commodities moving by rail through Norfolk include:
- Coal
- Grain
- Intermodal containers
- Automotive
- Military freight
Rail is the most cost-effective way to move bulk commodities over long distances. See our rail vs truck cost comparison to understand when rail makes sense for your freight.
Intermodal & Port Connections
Port of Virginia (Norfolk International Terminals, Virginia International Gateway) — major East Coast deep-water port with double-stack rail access.
Port access gives Norfolk shippers the advantage of rail-to-vessel transloading for international trade. Whether you are exporting bulk commodities or importing containerized freight, the combination of rail and port infrastructure creates efficient multimodal supply chain options.
Learn more about how transloading works in our guide: What Is Transloading?
Ready to Ship by Rail from Norfolk?
Steel Wheel Logistics specializes in bulk commodity rail freight. Whether you are shipping coal, grain, intermodal containers, or other goods by rail from Norfolk, VA, we can help coordinate competitive rates, car supply, and logistics with the Class I railroads serving your area.
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