Coastal Precast Systems, of Chesapeake, Va., will be operating the old Bayshore plant. The main concrete plant is located on a 35-acre site on the Elizabeth River in Chesapeake, Virginia.
The Bayshore plant was purchased for close to $11 million. Much of the equipment was sold off at auction; Coastal will be supplying their own.
Upgrades and repairs to the plant are ongoing and should be completed by mid-fall.
Some precast work is already on the books, including concrete beams and deck plants. Coastal looking to hire right now.
General laborers, large equipment operators, mechanics, and technicians are needed.
For more information, call (757) 545-5215 or email sales@cpsprecast.com.
Apply online at http://www.cpsprecast.com/careers/
John Griffith says
Best news in a long time for Cape Charles. Welcome.
Piglet says
It would be nice if this led to the reactivation of rail service to Cape Charles, although it’s very possible there won’t be enough rail cars shipped to justify the cost of rehabilitating approximately 50 miles of currently dead track.
Tammi says
The railroad already abandoned the line on aug4 and the state is trying to consume the tracks for the bike trail.
Piglet says
True, the railroad has filed for abandonment; however, if its otherwise hopeless situation were suddenly reversed by the arrival of new business, the abandonment application could be withdrawn, the track (which is still in place) repaired and operations could resume. Unfortunately it’s doubtful the concrete plant would be able to ship enough cars to make the railroad profitable.
R.K. Lewis says
As a former employee, Chief Field Engineer, I’m happy that this is taking place. When the group of supervisors that I was associated with were there Bayshore was very profitable and busy most of the time .
Andrew Craun says
I wonder if there is any chance of the rail line being re-activated. I also always wanted wanted to own my railroad, I think Delmarva needs more rail customers here. I’ve always wanted to own the Indian River Railroad, my dream company. If only I’d had the money I would’ve also helped them out down there! Good to see something moving forward though!
Piglet says
There’s probably no chance of the line being reactivated. The Delmarva Central Railroad, which took over the operation of the northernmost 15 miles of the line, is spending $4.5 million to rehabilitate that stretch. Imagine the cost to do the same to the remaining 50 miles down to Cape Charles. There would need to be a tremendous number of cars of cement being shipped out of the concrete plant to make such an investment worthwhile.
Ron Elliott says
If I’m not mistaken there is a group of people interested in an Excursion rail service is interested in the rail line. This good public and Corporate intrest can come to gether
Piglet says
Canonie Atlantic, the company owning the rail line, has already filed with the Surface Transportation Board for abandonment of the line and the STB has approved it. I haven’t been there to see if for myself, but I’m told the rail yard in Cape Charles and the track into the cement plant have already been lifted. Converting the remainder of the line into a trail is already being coordinated.
As for the group interested in excursion rail service, the New York, Philadelphia & Norfolk Railroad Resurrection, Ltd., has not updated its new website for over a year. There is no indication it has the financial ability or personnel to begin to create a tourist railroad from the remains of the Bay Coast Railroad.
Lastly, there is no indication that tourists will drive for many hours to reach a tourist railroad with no significant appeal. Riding one way and back would be an all-day affair, on top of the hours spent to reach either the northern or southern end of the line, there is nothing to draw them in.
I wish it weren’t so, but all indications point to this 50-mile stretch as being a goner.