Chesapeake and Ohio Railway – C&O

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Chesapeake & Ohio Railway – C&O

The Chesapeake & Ohio Railway was the first railroad to make it across the central mid-section of the Appalachian Mountain region, and truly tap into the financial rewards of carrying coal and manifest freight. This success by the C&O allowed it to prosper financially, and to eventually own and operate other railroads such as the B&O and the Western Maryland. By 1986, the C&O and its namesake successor the Chessie System, had both become the ‘C’ in CSX Transportation. The C&O/Chessie took the lead in a much larger railroad that covered much of the Eastern United States.

Chesapeake & Ohio Railway - C&O

Photo: A loaded coal train heading east, and an empty coal train headed west on the C&O mainline near Moss Run VA in 1981. This double track C&O mainline always stayed busy through the decades with coal trains, manifest freight, and passenger trains. Photo by Roger Puta.

C&O Mainline in the Chessie era at Moss Run VA - Roger Puta photo

Ohio River to the Atlantic Ocean

The first C&O mainline took a more northern route from Richmond VA westward, crossing the Appalachian Mountains through Charlottesville and Stanton VA. The Ohio River was reached in 1873. A few years later in 1881, the C&O completed the connection to the Atlantic Ohio at Newport News VA.

Since the original mainline ascended the mountains via tunnels and grades, the C&O merged with the Richmond and Allegheny Railroad in 1889, providing a water level route along the Jackson and James Rivers. This line from Clifton Forge VA to Richmond VA made it much easier to carry coal to the ports at Newport News VA for export.

Coal Operations

C&O’s route ventured westward through extensive coal fields in West Virginia. Thurmond, was the primary yard and center for their coal operations, moving it both directions. But, the primary tonnage was eastward to the C&O’s coal piers at Newport News VA. During many of the prosperous coal years,

In the 1981 Roger Puta photo below, two engines take a breather at Thurmond, most likely between mine runs. You can see the coaling tower in the background used in the days of steam.

Chesapeake & Ohio Railway at Thurmond WV - Roger Puta

Chesapeake & Ohio Railway Stats

  • Reporting Mark: C&O, CO
  • Operated: 1869-1973
  • Mainline Length: 5,067 miles
  • Mainline: Newport News VA – Chicago IL, Washington DC – Charlottesville VA, Buffalo NY – Detroit MI – Chicago IL, Kenova WV – Toledo OH – Detroit MI, Kenova WV – Elkhorn City KY
  • Primary Cities: Newport News VA, Richmond VA, Charlottesville VA, Washington DC, Ashland KY, Cincinnati OH, Chicago IL, Louisville KY, Detroit MI, Columbus OH, Toledo OH, Buffalo NY, Grand Rapids MI
  • Headquarters: Cleveland OH
  • Passenger Trains: George Washington, Fast Flying Virginian, Sportsman
  • Successor: Chessie System
  • C&O Today: Part of CSX Transportation

C&O Passenger Trains

Photo: C&O Sportsman at Alexandria VA in 1969 by Roger Puta

C&O Railway Sportsman at Alexandria VA in 1967 - Photo by Roger Puta

C&O Railway Map 1967

Chesapeake & Ohio Railway Map 1967 - C&O

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