When the association between the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) and the Baltimore and Ohio (B&O) grew into successful, integrated system, there was a need to name it something. The story of this success is about the C&O and B&O maintaining their separate corporate identities and growing together, successful without a legal merger. People then branded it with the most enduring symbol of railroad history – Chessie the Sleeping Kitten.
Category: Chessie System History
The C&O-B&O and the Cuban Missile Crisis
The most dangerous crisis of the Cold War could have weighed on the C&O-B&O decision. On October 22, 1962, President Kennedy revealed to the world that the Soviets were busy building missile bases on Cuba (link). On that day many Americans thought that by the next day they would be at war with the Soviet…
Chessie System History: The C&O and the B&O start their association.
This post looks at the start of the association and acquisition of control of the Baltimore and Ohio (B&O) by the Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) as part of the lead up to the formation of the Chessie System. The B&O first coming under control of the C&O was not a merger, but was about saving and rehabilitating the B&O, making it stronger and better able to serve the public. Both roads would maintain their identities as they merged into the Chessie System and CSX up until 1986, when they were merged into CSX Transportation
The C&O-B&O Unity, the beginning of the Chessie System
The start of the C&O – B&O relationship in May, 1960 put into motion the spin toward the Chessie System as a holding company led by the C&O.for the purpose of diversifying the C&O. What begin in May 1960 was the beginnings of the Chessie System Railroads.