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The Railfan Chronicles: Chesapeake and Ohio Railway and Norfolk and Western Railway

Cormac McCarthy

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Published in The Railfan Chronicles Chesapeake And Ohio Railway Norfolk And Western Railway In Michigan 1975 To 2000

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The Chesapeake and Ohio Railway (C&O) and the Norfolk and Western Railway (N&W) were two of the most important railroads in the United States during the 19th and 20th centuries. Both railroads played a vital role in the development of the American economy and helped to shape the nation's transportation system.

The Railfan Chronicles, Chesapeake and Ohio Railway & Norfolk and Western Railway in Michigan, 1975 to 2000

by Byron Babbish

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Language	:	English
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The Chesapeake and Ohio Railway

The C&O was chartered in 1836 to build a railroad from Richmond, Virginia, to the Ohio River at Cincinnati, Ohio. The railroad was completed in 1850 and quickly became a major artery for trade and travel between the East Coast and the Midwest. The C&O also played a key role in the development of the coal industry in West Virginia and Kentucky.

During the Civil War, the C&O was a vital supply line for the Union Army. The railroad's bridges and tracks were frequently targeted by Confederate raiders, but the C&O managed to keep its lines open throughout the war.

After the war, the C&O continued to expand its network of lines. In 1890, the railroad acquired the Newport News and Mississippi Valley Railroad, which gave it access to the port of Newport News, Virginia. The C&O also built a number of branch lines to serve the coalfields of West Virginia and Kentucky.

In 1947, the C&O merged with the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad to form the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway Company. The C&O continued to operate as an independent railroad until 1963, when it was acquired by the Norfolk and Western Railway.

The Norfolk and Western Railway

The N&W was chartered in 1838 to build a railroad from Lynchburg, Virginia, to the Ohio River at Portsmouth, Ohio. The railroad was completed in 1854 and quickly became a major artery for trade and travel between the East Coast and the Midwest. The N&W also played a key role in the development of the tobacco industry in North Carolina and Virginia.

During the Civil War, the N&W was a vital supply line for the Confederate Army. The railroad's bridges and tracks were frequently targeted by Union raiders, but the N&W managed to keep its lines open throughout the war.

After the war, the N&W continued to expand its network of lines. In 1893, the railroad acquired the Shenandoah Valley Railroad, which gave it access to the port of Norfolk, Virginia. The N&W also built a number of branch lines to serve the coalfields of West Virginia and Kentucky.

In 1959, the N&W merged with the Virginian Railway to form the Norfolk and Western Railway Company. The N&W continued to operate as an independent railroad until 1982, when it was acquired by the Southern Railway.

The Merger of the C&O and N&W

The merger of the C&O and N&W created one of the largest railroads in the United States. The new railroad, known as the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway Company, operated a network of lines that extended from Chicago, Illinois, to Newport News, Virginia, and from Cincinnati, Ohio, to Norfolk, Virginia. The C&O also owned and operated a number of coal mines in West Virginia and Kentucky.

The merger of the C&O and N&W was a major event in the history of American railroading. The new railroad played a vital role in the transportation of coal and other goods throughout the eastern United States. The C&O also played a key role in the development of the American economy.

The Legacy of the C&O and N&W

The C&O and N&W railroads played a major role in the development of the United States. The railroads helped to connect the East Coast with the Midwest and the South, and they played a vital role in the transportation of goods and people. The C&O and N&W also played a key role in the development of the American economy.

Today, the legacy of the C&O and N&W railroads can be seen in the many railroad lines that still operate in the eastern United States. The railroads' bridges, tunnels, and stations are a reminder of the important role that railroads played in the development of the United States.