Cape Charles in Northampton County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Box Car

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 5, 2026

1. Box Car Marker

Inscription.

Box Car. . , This circa 1950s, fifty-foot, general service box car is an example of a standard design widely used since the 1940s and commonly seen on American railroads through the 1980s. It has a single sliding door on each side; the door at the end of the car was added later., Box cars are enclosed cars designed to protect freight from the elements. Box cars have been used since the 1830s to carry any kind of non bulk cargo: that will fit in their single, double, or end doors. By the 1870s American railroads had adopted interchange agreements allowing box cars to be exchanged among railroads, which is why you will find box cars lettered and numbered by various owners in any given rail yard. By the mid 20th century box cars had to compete with containerized shipping in which goods secured in a closed container can be hauled by truck, ship, or atop railroad flat cars. Thanks to their sturdy construction, many box cars have since been repurposed as sheds or incorporated into buildings. Today you can even find box cars fitted out as overnight accommodations that can be rented through Airbnb., During the early 1900s, the New York, Philadelphia and Norfolk Railroad, the first north-south railroad on Virginia's portion of the Delmarva Peninsula, was formally purchased by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. Through the 1920s, thousands of freight cars, mostly box cars, traveled the tracks south to the Cape Charles rail yard. Freight trains could be a hundred cars long. Twenty-five thousand loaded freight cars could be hauled across the Chesapeake Bay on about 1,000 barge trips in a single month., This box car was likely acquired by the Eastern Shore Railroad (ESHR) in the 1980s, following use by the U.S. military. Rather than investing the funds to make it road-worthy for freight shipments, it was adapted for use by ESHR as a machine shop for needed mechanical or carpentry work. The door at the end would have been added during this renovation. The Bay Coast Railroad (BCR) later used the box car for secure storage of equipment.

This circa 1950s, fifty-foot, general service box car is an example of a standard design widely used since the 1940s and commonly seen on American railroads through the 1980s. It has a single sliding door on each side; the door at the end of the car was added later.

Box cars are enclosed cars designed to protect freight from the elements. Box cars have been used since the 1830s to carry any kind of non bulk cargo: that will fit in their single, double, or end doors. By the 1870s American railroads had adopted interchange agreements allowing box cars to be exchanged among railroads, which is why you will find box cars lettered and numbered by various owners in any given rail yard. By the mid 20th century box cars had to compete with containerized shipping in which goods secured in a closed container can be hauled by truck, ship, or atop railroad flat cars. Thanks to their sturdy construction, many box cars have since been repurposed as sheds or incorporated into buildings. Today you can even find box cars fitted out as overnight accommodations that can be rented through Airbnb.

During the early 1900s, the New York, Philadelphia and Norfolk Railroad, the first north-south railroad on Virginia's portion of the Delmarva Peninsula, was formally purchased by the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. Through the 1920s, thousands

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of freight cars, mostly box cars, traveled the tracks south to the Cape Charles rail yard. Freight trains could be a hundred cars long. Twenty-five thousand loaded freight cars could be hauled across the Chesapeake Bay on about 1,000 barge trips in a single month.

This box car was likely acquired by the Eastern Shore Railroad (ESHR) in the 1980s, following use by the U.S. military. Rather than investing the funds to make it road-worthy for freight shipments, it was adapted for use by ESHR as a machine shop for needed mechanical or carpentry work. The door at the end would have been added during this renovation. The Bay Coast Railroad (BCR) later used the box car for secure storage of equipment.

Erected by Cape Charles Museum; sign donated by The Sign Company, Waterford NJ.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars.

Location. 37° 16.064′ N, 76° 0.466′ W. Marker is in Cape Charles, Virginia, in Northampton County. It can be reached from the intersection of Randolph Avenue and Bahama Road, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 814 Randolph Ave, Cape Charles VA 23310, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the Eastern Shore.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

on the Delmarva Peninsula,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Bloxom Passenger Station (a few steps from this marker); Highball

Box Car Exhibit image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), June 5, 2026

2. Box Car Exhibit

(a few steps from this marker); Tank Car (a few steps from this marker); The Jetty House (within shouting distance of this marker); BCR 2000 Locomotive (within shouting distance of this marker); Jerry Lewis (within shouting distance of this marker); RF&P Baggage Car (within shouting distance of this marker); Cape Charles (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cape Charles.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 7, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 7, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 3 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 7, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.