Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad Reporting marks: C&O, CO, CSXT

The Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad (C&O) had its beginnings in Virginia in 1837 and grew rapidly following a series of mergers and additions. It was renamed "The Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad Company" in 1878 following a period of receivership and subsequent reorganization. In late 1888 it fell under the control of the Vanderbilt empire.

The "Chessie," as it was affectionately known, was a survivor. Unlike many of its smaller rivals, it actually managed to thrive and grow throughout the Great Depression.

The C&O Railroad made its unofficial arrival into Canada in 1929, when it assumed control over the troubled Pere Marquette Railroad (PM). In 1947 the PM was fully absorbed into the parent company and the CO began operating under its own name. Passenger rail service lasted until 1971 when it was taken over by the newly formed Amtrak.

Further mergers and consolidations led to the formation of CSX Transportation in August 1987. Today CSX is one of only a handful of Class 1 railways left in the United States. CSX continues to maintain operations in Canada, primarily in southwest Ontario.