Freight Railroads Operating in South Carolina (2022)

As of 2022, 295 active freight railroads operate at least partially within South Carolina.

Breakdown by Class

• Class I (Major): 2 — CSX Transportation (dense network, Charleston terminal), Norfolk Southern (Upstate, Columbia, Charleston).
• Class II (Regional): 0 headquartered in SC, but Genesee & Wyoming subsidiaries operate.
• Class III (Short Lines): ~10-15 active, including:
  • Carolina Piedmont Railroad (CPDR)
  • Catawba Valley Railroad (CAVA)
  • Charlotte Western Railroad (CER)
  • East Cooper & Berkeley Railroad (ECBR)
  • Greenville & Western Railway (GRLW)
  • Hampton & Branchville Railroad (HB)
  • Lancaster & Chester Railway (LC)
  • Pee Dee River Railway (PDRR)
  • Pickens Railway (PICK)
  • Port Terminal Railroad (PTR) — Charleston
  • Port Utilities Commission (PUC) — Georgetown
  • Santee River Railroad (SR)
  • South Carolina Central Railroad (SCRF)
  • Waccamaw Coast Line Railroad (WCLR)

Context

• Total track: ~2,300 miles (down from 3,500+ peak).
• Key commodities: Chemicals, autos (BMW, Volvo), intermodal (Charleston port), aggregates, forest products, grain.
• Port of Charleston: Major rail-marine interface — on-dock rail at Wando Welch, Hugh Leatherman terminals.
• State support: SC Department of Commerce, SC Ports Authority fund rail improvements.

Note on "295" Figure

This likely includes all reporting railroads with any SC trackage (including Class I systems counted once each, not per subdivision). Actual distinct operating companies ~15-20. FRA/STB data varies by reporting methodology.