Cincinnati Southern Railway – CNO&TP Railroad

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Cincinnati Southern and CNO&TP

A Key Link: Ohio River to the Atlantic Ocean

After the Civil War, the City of Cincinnati began to worry about the city’s prominence as a port on the Ohio River. The south was prospering after the war, and new ports and railroads in the south were growing and competing, taking away business from the port of Cincinnati.

The citizens of Cincinnati approved an initial bond issue in 1869 for $10 million to construct the line which would serve as a key component linking the Ohio River to the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. The route would traverse the southern United States during an era of redevelopment and economic expansion.

By 1879, the line had been completed from Cincinnati to Chattanooga at a total expense of $16 million.

Map and logo by City of Cincinnati

CNO&TP/Cincinnati Southern Railways

The Cincinnati New Orleans & Texas Pacific (CNO&TP) Railroad (a legal entity) leases the Cincinnati Southern Railway (the actual railroad) from the City of Cincinnati.

The CNO&TP in turn sub-leases the key 337 mile railroad to the Norfolk Southern Railway. The CNO&TP has been operated under the terms of the lease by the Southern Railway, and successor Norfolk Southern since 1894.

Late in 2022, the Norfolk Southern Railway announced it was buying the Cincinnati Southern from the city of Cincinnati for $1.62B.

The Cincinnati Southern is the only interstate rail line owned by a municipality. As of early 2024, the sale to Norfolk Southern is being reviewed by the federal government.

In hindsight, the proceeds from the $1.6 billion sale price, and the millions of dollars in lease payments for 130 years is a substantial return that has funded many projects and services for the city of Cincinnati.

Cincinnati New Orleans & Texas Pacific Map - Cincinnati Southern Railway

CNO&TP Stats

  • Founded/Chartered: 1869 
  • Operated: 1880 – Present (Leased/Operated by Norfolk Southern)
  • Abbreviation: CNO&TP (Also known as Cincinnati Southern)
  • Initial Route: Cincinnati OH to Chattanooga TN
  • Length: 337 Miles
  • Related Railroads: Southern Railway, Norfolk Southern Railway
  • Headquarters: Cincinnati OH, Owned by the City of Cincinnati
  • Cities: Cincinnati OH, Lexington KY, Danville KY, Somerset KY, Oneida TN, Oakdale TN, Dayton TN, and Chattanooga TN
  • Key Individuals: Samuel Spencer
  • Today: Norfolk Southern Railway

Links for More Information

http://cincinnatisouthernrailway.org/

Southern Railway Historical Association: http://srha.net/

For More Information – Sources and Resources

The following are excellent resources for those of you wanting to explore and learn more about the history and operation of the Appalachian Railroads. These sources of information also serve as reference and historical materials for Appalachian-Railroads.org. Much of the content on the website is verified across multiple sources.

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3Cs Websites

Appalachian-Railroads.org | Clinchfield.org | Southern-Railroads.org