Chessie System Railroad – History Timeline

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History Timeline of the Chessie System Railroad

The Chessie System was a holding company formed in 1973 that brought together three major East Coast railroads: the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O), the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway (C&O), and the Western Maryland Railway (WM). The story of the Chessie System is a story of consolidation, as the financially stronger C&O absorbed the other two before being merged into CSX. 

Chesapeake and Ohio Railway (C&O) predecessors

  • 1836: The Louisa Railroad is chartered in Virginia.
  • 1850: The Louisa Railroad becomes the Virginia Central Railroad.
  • 1868: The Virginia Central and the Covington & Ohio merge to create the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O).
  • 1888: The C&O completes its direct line to Cincinnati.
  • 1889: The C&O acquires the Richmond & Alleghany Railroad.
  • 1947: The C&O acquires the Pere Marquette Railway, which extends its reach into Michigan and Buffalo.
  • 1962: C&O acquires a controlling interest in the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.
  • 1967: C&O and B&O jointly gain control of the Western Maryland Railway.
  • 1973: The Chesapeake and Ohio becomes the lead entity in the newly formed Chessie System. 

Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O) predecessors

  • 1827: The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad is chartered.
  • 1830: The B&O begins the first scheduled passenger and freight service in the US, originally using horse-drawn cars.
  • 1852: The B&O completes its line to Wheeling, West Virginia, crossing the Appalachian Mountains.
  • 1860s–1870s: The B&O expands westward to Chicago and St. Louis.
  • 1896: The railroad declares bankruptcy.
  • 1901: After reorganization, the B&O reaches Cleveland.
  • 1932: The B&O acquires the Buffalo, Rochester and Pittsburgh Railway.
  • 1962: The Chesapeake and Ohio Railway acquires control of the B&O.
  • 1973: The B&O becomes part of the new Chessie System. 

Western Maryland Railway (WM) predecessors

  • 1852: The Baltimore, Carroll & Frederick Rail Road Company is chartered.
  • 1853: The company is renamed the Western Maryland Rail Road Company.
  • 1862: The first segment of the WM opens.
  • 1902: The WM is acquired by the Fuller Syndicate, led by George Gould.
  • 1912: The WM completes an extension to Connellsville, Pennsylvania.
  • 1910: After bankruptcy, the company emerges as the Western Maryland Railway.
  • 1967: The WM comes under the control of the C&O and B&O.
  • 1973: The Western Maryland Railway becomes part of the new Chessie System. 

The Chessie System and beyond (1973–present)

  • February 26, 1973: Chessie System is incorporated as a holding company.
  • June 15, 1973: Chessie System formally acquires the Chesapeake and Ohio, Baltimore and Ohio, and Western Maryland railroads.
  • November 1, 1980: Chessie System merges with Seaboard Coast Line Industries to form CSX Corporation.
  • May 1, 1983: The Western Maryland Railway is merged into the Baltimore and Ohio.
  • April 30, 1987: The Baltimore and Ohio is merged into the Chesapeake and Ohio, ending the B&O’s corporate existence.
  • August 31, 1987: The Chesapeake and Ohio Railway is formally merged into CSX Transportation, retiring the Chessie System name. 

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 collective railroad history data points on this website are verified across multiple sources.

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