Chesapeake & Ohio Railway (C&O) Passenger Trains

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Passenger Trains of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway

The Chesapeake and Ohio Railway (C&O) was a major coal hauler and freight railroad that operated throughout the Appalachian region and extended west to the Great Lakes. While not primarily focused on lavish passenger services, the C&O developed a reputation for solid, reliable trains, particularly during the middle of the 20th century. The C&O’s passenger service was anchored by its long-distance routes linking the Mid-Atlantic cities with the Midwest, offering stunning views of the New River Gorge. A key element of C&O’s marketing was its mascot, Chessie the sleeping kitten, which promoted the comfort of its service with the slogan “Sleep Like a Kitten”. Although the C&O operated several well-regarded passenger trains, it was famously out-maneuvered in the post-World War II streamliner era. After a short-lived attempt to launch an ultra-luxurious streamliner called The Chessie, the C&O focused on a more practical and effective service model that leveraged its scenic route. Passenger operations were transferred to Amtrak in 1971, ending the C&O’s role in intercity passenger rail.

C&O flagship and long-distance trains

C&O Passenger Train

Photo by Roger Puta: The C&O’s George Washington at Alexandria VA in 1969.

George Washington (1932–1974)

Route: Washington, D.C. and Newport News, VA to Cincinnati, OH and Louisville, KY.
Major intermediate cities: Charlottesville, VA; White Sulphur Springs, WV (serving the Greenbrier resort); Huntington, WV; Ashland, KY.
Features and amenities: The George Washington was the C&O’s premier train, launched to commemorate the bicentennial of the first president’s birth. It was one of the first all-air-conditioned, long-distance trains in the country. While it originally featured heavyweight equipment, it was later modernized with lightweight coaches and sleepers, including roomettes and bedrooms. Dining service was a hallmark, with a focus on high-quality meals. A special feature was the route through the scenic New River Gorge, timed for daytime viewing.
Marketing: The train’s name evoked a strong sense of American history and prestige. Early on, it capitalized on the novelty of air conditioning, but its primary marketing feature became the comfortable ride and scenic route. 

Fast Flying Virginian (F.F.V.) (1889–1968)

Route: Washington, D.C. and Newport News, VA to Cincinnati, OH.
Major intermediate cities: Charlottesville, VA; Hinton, WV; Huntington, WV; Ashland, KY.
Features and amenities: As the C&O’s original luxury passenger train, the F.F.V. was a long-lasting and prestigious service. It featured dining cars and enclosed vestibules, which were modern innovations for its time. Although it was later surpassed by the George Washington, the F.F.V. offered a solid, dependable service throughout its nearly 80-year run.
Marketing: Initially marketed as the “first” in a number of amenities, it settled into a role as a reliable second-tier train behind the George Washington. 

Sportsman (1930–1968)

Route: Washington, D.C. and Newport News, VA to Detroit, MI.
Major intermediate cities: Charlottesville, VA; Hinton, WV; Huntington, WV.
Features and amenities: The Sportsman was unique among C&O trains for its route north from the C&O mainline in southern Ohio. Like the F.F.V., it initially used heavyweight equipment but was later updated with streamlined cars after World War II. The train also offered views of the New River Gorge during daylight hours.
Marketing: Originally intended to connect East Coast resort areas with the Great Lakes, it later focused on connecting Detroit with the C&O’s primary eastern network. 

C&O Pere Marquette passenger trains

Pere Marquette (1946–1971)

Route: Detroit, MI to Grand Rapids, MI and Chicago, IL.
Major intermediate cities: Grand Rapids, MI was the hub, with connecting service to Chicago, IL; Lansing, MI; and Holland, MI.
Features and amenities: This streamliner was the first all-new streamliner to enter service after World War II. It featured lightweight coaches, a diner, and a high level of on-board service, including hostesses and credit card use. New Pullman-Standard cars replaced the initial Budd-built equipment in 1950.
Marketing: The Pere Marquette was a successful, fast, and comfortable regional service that offered modern amenities and proved that efficient passenger service could be profitable, particularly on shorter routes. 

Proposed but un-launched trains

The Chessie (Proposed in the late 1940s, never ran)

Route: Washington, D.C. to Cincinnati, OH.
Features and amenities: The Chessie was an ambitious proposal for an all-coach streamliner with luxury accommodations, including low-density seating, dome cars, and a tavern-lounge. It was meant to be pulled by experimental M-1 steam turbine locomotives.
Marketing: Named after the C&O’s mascot, it was marketed as a luxurious and innovative train to attract passengers back to rail travel. However, the project was cancelled due to financial issues and the mechanical failure of the M-1 locomotives before it ever entered service. 

The end of an era

In 1971, the C&O’s passenger service, like many other railroads’, was transferred to Amtrak. Amtrak continued to operate a train over much of the C&O’s former route, now known as the Cardinal, which still offers stunning views of the New River Gorge. 

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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