REVISITING HISTORY. Despite recent wishful thinking, it's unlikely anyone is going to dust off the plans for the Chicago - New York Electric Air Line in the near future. More obscure interurbans, on the other hand, are getting a second life. The Overhead Wire connects to a news article from Hampton Roads praising local legislators for writing a Virginia Beach extension into a proposed light rail line for Norfolk. It is difficult to agree with legislators proposing such a thing for their constituents' own good, which is the tone of their quotes. We are, however, anticipating a return of electric cars to Virginia Beach. Check Hilton and Due, here it is at page 331.

The Norfolk Southern, a railroad, operated 48 miles of electrified trackage, making a loop from Norfolk to Virginia Beach and back to Norfolk, serving the important resort area of Virginia Beach and nearby points. This operation was converted to gasoline rail-bus service in 1935, which was provided until all passenger service on the line was abandoned, November 8, 1947.

The electric service, which enthusiasts of the Norfolk Southern Railroad (it later became a Southern Railway property and ultimately lent its name to the merged Norfolk Southern system) have not yet mentioned in their chronology, required the railroad to note on its 1931 timetable listing Pullman service to points north and west that this timetable was for the Steam Division.