Norfolk, Franklin and Danville Railway
| Norfolk, Franklin and Danville Railway Company | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Reporting mark | NFD |
| Locale | Norfolk, VA to Danville, VA |
| Dates of operation | 1962–1983 |
| Track gauge | 4 ft 8 1⁄2 in (1,435 mm) (standard gauge) |
| Headquarters | Suffolk, Virginia |
The Norfolk, Franklin and Danville Railway (reporting mark NFD) which operated as the Atlantic & Danville Railway prior to 1962, at one time operated 250 miles of track between Portsmouth (on the harbor of Hampton Roads adjacent to Norfolk) and Danville, Virginia. There was also a 50 mile branch from near Emporia to Claremont on the James River plus several shorter branches. It was under lease to the Southern Railway when it became independent. It was acquired by the Norfolk and Western Railway in 1962 and operated as NF&D with second generation diesels. The Claremont branch is long gone, and the main line is gone between Lawrenceville and Blanche. NF&D started when they took over the Atlantic and Danville Railway.[1]
The former trackage is now operated as a couple of branch lines by the Norfolk Southern Railway, with the exception of the portion east of Suffolk to Portsmouth which is now operated by a short line railroad, the Commonwealth Railway.
