Historic ‘Hump’ Railroad Overpass at Center of Growing Debate in Cape Charles

CAPE CHARLES, Va. — For more than a century, the railroad overpass known locally as “the Hump” has loomed over Cape Charles, a physical reminder of the town’s industrial origins and its once-bustling rail economy.

Built in 1912, the overpass was designed to allow trains to pass above local streets, connecting the harbor and rail yard that helped make the town a major shipping hub on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Today, the structure stands largely unused — and increasingly controversial.

The adjacent rail yard is owned by the Canonie Atlantic Company, a private company jointly owned by Accomack and Northampton counties that formerly operated the Eastern Shore Railroad. Rail service was discontinued several years ago, and approximately 49.1 miles of track were removed, including the rail lines beneath the overpass and throughout the surrounding yard.

With trains long gone, some newer residents have begun questioning whether the massive concrete structure still serves a purpose. Calls to remove the Hump have grown louder, especially during the so-called harbor planning sessions , with critics arguing that it is outdated, dangerous, visually unappealing, and incompatible with the town’s evolving tourism-focused character.

Real Locals strongly disagree.

Longtime residents and preservation advocates say the push to tear down the overpass represents an effort to erase Cape Charles’ working-waterfront history. To them, the Hump is not an eyesore, but a landmark — one that symbolizes the town’s role as a railroad terminus and maritime gateway.

“Once you remove structures like this, you can never bring that history back,” one resident told the Mirror. “It’s part of who Cape Charles was, and in my mind, still is.”

Supporters of preservation also argue that opposition to the structure reflects a broader cultural divide, with fears that the town’s historic character could be replaced by what some describe as a “plastic aesthetic” more typical of suburban developments than a historic port community.

Despite the debate, removal of the Hump is not expected anytime soon.

Any demolition would require approval from the Commonwealth of Virginia, along with significant state funding. No such approvals or funding allocations are currently in place, town officials have said.

For now, the century-old overpass remains — towering quietly above the former rail corridor — as Cape Charles continues to wrestle with how to balance growth, change, and preservation of its past.

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Wayne Creed

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