I need info on the B&O and L&N railroads please. ALSO which would you chose?
That’s sort of a broad request, waltersrails.
What kind of info do you require?
And which would we choose based on what criteria?
Old Timer
yes I agree need some more definition for your request.
stay safe
joe
L&N’s mainline ran primarily between Chicago and Birmingham. Was merged with the “Seaboard Coast Line” in 1980 and became a major part of the “CSX System” by mid-1982. The “SCL/L&N” merger was known as the “Family Lines System” which was ill-fated. L&N went bankrupt in early-1980.
The B&O was the first railroad in America formed in 1827. It ran primarily between St. Louis and Chicago to the east coast. It merged with C&O in 1967, and the Chessie Systems was dying out by 1980 (the name of the C&O/B&O merger was Chessie System). In 1980, the Chessie merged with Seaboard System and formed CSX. Two years later, it acquired the Family Lines, and 1982 became known as B&O’s last year.
…that’s all the info I have on them, although you can look up more on the internet.
BTW, I pick B&O. It used to be my former “Hometown Railroad.” Plus, it was in Ohio, L&N was not.
Richard
So why don’t you go to a library and read a book or go on the internet and do a search. It couldn’t be any easier today to research anything than it was for all of us who grew up without all the access available today. Beside that way you will retain the information you find better.
The geographical extent of the “original” L&N was as follows. The L&N did get to Ohio as one main line operated between Cincinnati and New Orleans via Louisville, Nashville, Birmingham, and Montgomery. Another line split at Bowling Green and ran to Memphis. A third line operated between Nashville and St. Louis via Evansville and Mt. Vernon, IN. Another line operated between Cincinnati and the coalfields of eastern Kentucky. Secondary lines reached Florida.
As previous posters have suggested, the L&N went through a bewildering series of mergers, the first being with the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis; one of the earliest mergers in what later became a national trend. There was still a lot of “evidence” of the old N&C around when I lived in Nashville. The L&N did not get into Chicago until fairly late in the game in the whole mess that involved the MP, Monon, and the C&EI.
After years of neglect there are presently many books available on the L&N. Ronald Eller’s Miners, Millhands, and Mountaineers is a good introduction to the history of the L&N. Also, if you can find it, take a look at Maury Klein’s history of the L&N. TLC Publsihing has released s series of affordable books on the L&N and Morning Sun has several color guides available. Almost forgot Prince’s work on L&N steam which has recently been r/p. There are also some recent books on the NC&StL.
Hope this helps.
work safe
The B&O had many firsts.First railroad,first steam loco built in America,first air conditioned train,first with the idea of an “auto train”,first railroad to create a museum(tho I *** them for not saving an EM-1),first to have dedicated carload service(Sentinel),the list goes on and on.It could also be said the they,along with C&O,created the first big merger that the railroads are so fond of today.But the B&O was always considered to be a “railroad man’s railroad”.If you can find one,get “History of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad” by John F. Stover (Perdue University Press,1987).
You could look up the L&N or B&O historical societies. They usually list a brief history of the RR.
Both have Civil War histories, since B&O ran thru Harper’s Ferry WV. Cut by Confederates many times. The NC&STL part of the L&N was the site of Andrew’s Raid, since they built the track from Nashville to Chattanooga & Atlanta. The L&N ran from Louisville to Nashville with a major branch from Bowling Green Ky to Memphis. THese lines were controlled by Union forces for most of the war, feeding Sherman’s march on Atlanta. Another line was built west to the Tennessee River. THis is the line CSX/UP uses between Memphis & Nashville & points east.
It is easier to find models decorated for B&O. The L&N should be better known with the hilly terrain & some streamliners. Both haul a lot of coal, with the L&N in eastern KY.
THe best part about the L&N is that the passing of the PanAmerican was broadcast on WSM radio at 508PM as it went by the huge radio tower in Brentwood. THe sound & whistle could be heard if you could tune into WSM’s 50,000 wats (650 on the AM band)
The Pan ran on a 24 hour Cincinatti-New Orleans route, via Louisville, Nashville, Montgomery, Birmingham, & Mobile. THe Georgian and Hummingbird provided faster streamliner service on a midwest-gulf coast run, with trains from St Louis/Chicago to Atlanta & other Cincinatti-Mobile connections that could swap cars in Nashville.
Sadly, none of the L&N’s trains were included in the startup of Amtrak. We still need a good midwest/south/southeast passenger service.
Back then, everybody had two favorite railroads:
The B&O, and one other.
Old Timer
Thanks for the replys and B&O is my favorite. Because it ran through my town and i can;'t find much info on it.
I think that “waltersrails” would probably like to know some information about the B&O lines in Illinois and the L&N lines around Evansville IN, and their line north to Chicago. And, does anybody know any information about the old B&O line that ran from Flora Illinois to Shawneetown Illinois??? That is the line that “waltersrails” is talking about that ran through Fairfield.
I have been searching libaerys and buying books but none meation the lines i need info on. here is what im looking for.
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L&N line from Shawneetown IL to St. louis Any information will help.
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B&O line from Shawneetown IL to Beardstown IL any information will also help.
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Conrail Line from Cario IL to Chicago IL.
Any piece of information will help i am also looking for maps of these roads.
Thank You.
walterrails:
I grew up near Olney and rode the B&O a three times to and from St. Louis in the 60’s as a young boy. I am currently reading Baltimore and Ohio Passenger Service, 1945-1971 - Volume 1 The Route of the National Limited.
The book covers the Washington DC - St Louis route, but most of the coverage is on the east end. My experience has been the B&O Southern Illinois lines received very little coverage in print. Back in the 60’s/70’s that line to St. Louis was a well maintained 60mph line. It seems to have dropped quite a bit over the years.
I know very little about the line to Beardstown, nor the L&N line to St. Louis. What kind of information are you wanting to know? L&N was pulled up as a through route to St. Louis with the CSX merger, with the B&O line used.
BTW, are the old B&O type signals (color position light) still in use on the line thru Flora? I heard a rumor they were being replaced.
Also, what is the daily train count on the line?
I am down in the area tomorrow for business and will hopefully travel along US 50 awhile.
ed
The CPLs are still up between Flora to Lawernceville.
There is usely a mixed frieght around 7:15 going east through Flora
Also around 3-4pm there is a UP Coal train. They run 3 days a week.
Other than that this line is almost dead. New Signals going up but few trains to see.
Wow, traffic is sure down. A few years ago there were about 5-8 trains daily including several automotive rack trains.
ed
I was shoked yesterday because the 7 was 3 hours late and had a meet here at Flora around 10am then at 3 pm has the coal train its been rare 2 see more than 2 trains during the day here the last two years. Every once in a while my scanner will go off in the night with a train but this line I believe is seeing its last days as a class 1.