It connects with six Class I railroads serving the city, and provides switching and haulage service.

It is estimated that one-third of the United States' east-west rail freight crosses the Mississippi on the Huey P. Long Bridge segment of the railroad.

[1] The impetus for the NOPB came at the start of the 20th century era when multiple railroads terminating locally created both congestion at the Port of New Orleans and safety problems on city streets.

[2][3] Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005 caused an estimated $450 million in damage to NOPB equipment and track.

[5] The New Orleans Public Belt Railroad operates a fleet of EMD and Motive Power Industries built Locomotives.