[?]

              Home Page    Photos    Maps & History   Layout      What's New    Operation      Roster     Next Session              

HISTORY:   The line was originally built by the City of Cincinnati through the Fergusson Act with funds from the State of Ohio. For the first few years the City operated The Cincinnati Southern Railway.

The board of directors leased the line to the Cincinnati, New Orleans and Texas Pacific Railway Co (C.N.O.&T.P.) on October 11, 1881. The interesting fact is that the City of Cincinnati held the mortgage on all property and still holds that today. The line is a true piece of municipal history.

The line was built with 105 bridges and 28 tunnels. This proved to be more tunnels and bridges than the trans-continental railway required. Railroader workers gave this region a beloved name, "The Rathole".

The C.N.O.&T.P. ran the line until the Southern Railway took them over and they continued operations through the lease terms. In 1963 the lease came to its end. City fathers wanted control of their rail lines as early mergers between rail giants was squeezing out competition. The City once again was in the rail business. This began a renovation and many tunnels were day lighted and grades were minimized over the next five years.

Investment dollars from the City were further supported by the Superior Transportation System. By incorporating this class one system they had found new markets as well. Much of the management came from the Southern Railway and shows up in operating rules, equipment and structures. Today we find ourselves modeling 1989 - 1990. I chose this era because of the merger paint schemes running on the Norfolk Southern. Enjoy the trip down the Rathole!