The Indiana and Ohio Railway

Through the 1980s and 1990s the railroad continued to gain branch lines being spun off and in 1996 it was taken over by the RailTex shortline family. Today the I&O is part of the RailAmerica family of shortlines and continues to operate a successful railroad stretching from southern Michigan to central Indiana and much of Ohio. The railroad is also now large enough to be split into several subdivisions including the Blue Ash Subdivision, Brookville Subdivision, CIND Subdivision, Mason Subdivision, Midland Subdivision, and Oasis Subdivision.

While the Indiana and Ohio Railway operates trackage made up of a number of fallen flag systems (including the NYC, PRR, DT&I, B&O, and C&O) two of the most prominent include the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway and venerable Baltimore & Ohio (particularly the latter, which the I&O operates a segment of its former St. Louis main line, which once stretched from St. Louis to Baltimore).

To give a brief history of the original builder of the SBVR's line, the B&O holds the distinction of being this country’s very first common-carrier railroad (meaning a railroad chartered specifically for public use) being officially incorporated and organized on April 24th, 1827. – Just as a side-note the B&O was not the first railroad actually chartered in this country, that distinction goes to the Mohawk & Hudson Railroad which was created a year earlier in 1826.

By being this country’s first common carrier the railroad was instrumental in helping to build and grow not only our economy but also the country itself when the “west” meant the Ohio River. While never a wealthy railroad throughout its existence (when compared to the likes of its much larger and powerful northern competitors, the Pennsylvania [PRR] and New York Central [NYC] Railroads) its legacy will forever be remembered as a survivor and that it put customer service above all else.

The Chesapeake and Ohio Railway was one of several Appalachian coal haulers and is perhaps best remembered for its buyout of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad in the early 1960s and its excellent management through much of the second-half of the 20th century, which earned the company substantial profits, especially during the waning years of the railroad industry in the 1960s and 1970s. It thrived on West Virginia and Kentucky coal and was a gateway between Chicago and the ports of Virginia. More so than its ownership of the B&O the C&O is best remembered for the legendary publicity campaign it created in the early 1930s; Chessie the sleeping kitten. An icon even outside the rail industry, many people today still recognize the kitten and its association with railroading in some way.

In 1962 the B&O's marginal financial situation finally ended independent ownership as the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway took control of the railroad that year. By 1972 the C&O, B&O, and Western Maryland jointly came under the Chessie System banner and by 1980 the CSX Corporation was formed that included several systems, most notably the Chessie System and Seaboard System (which comprised several southern systems).

When the B&O’s name and existence finally came to an end on April 30th, 1987 it had just celebrated its 160th birthday (it also outlived its wealthier northern competitors by over a decade).

Today the I&O has a vast array of four and six-axle motive power, although all are strictly EMDs (interestingly some units come from the very fallen flag companies which owned the branches the I&O now operates).

For more reading on shortlines like the Indiana and Ohio Railway consider the book American Shortline Railway Guide from author Ed Lewis. The book has gone through several updated editions to keep up with the ever-changing world of the shortline industry. Today, the publication highlights almost 600 shortlines across the country with general background information about each (such as roster information, rail line history, radio frequencies, etc.). If you have any interest in shortlines you will very likely enjoy this book.