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The Chessie System was relatively short lived. It was formed from the merger of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad (C&O),the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O), and some minor lines in 1973. It's unique scheme featured a cat logo. The cat represented Chessie, a kitten used by the C&O for advertising purposes from 1933 until the line turned over it's passenger trains to Amtrak in 1971. Chessie was used to make the point that you would "sleep like a kitten" on the C&O's trains. When the Chessie was merged with the Seaboard Coast Line in 1980 the new corporation was renamed CSX. Their new scheme was a bland grey and blue and starting in the mid 80s equipment was repainted into the new colors.
Harpers Ferry, West Virginia is a small town with a rich history. Located at the junction of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers, it was the site of a Federal Armory dating from 1799. This is where John Brown attacked in an attempt to incite a slave rebellion just prior to the Civil War. The original B&O mainline to the west runs through town, crossing the Potomac on a massive double track bridge that still carries heavy traffic.
On one of my visits I captured a short Chessie coal train crossing the Potomac bridge. Overlooking the scene is the famous "Hilltop House" a historic hotel that once hosted the rich and famous.
A better shot of the bridge and the Chessie Safety Special.
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