Columbus and Xenia Railroad

Columbus and Xenia Railroad
Company type	Railroad company
Industry	Rail transport
Founded	March 12, 1844; 182 years ago
Founder	William Dennison (early leadership)
Defunct	1943
Fate	Leased to Little Miami Railroad in 1869; later incorporated into Pennsylvania Railroad
Headquarters	Columbus, Ohio, United States
Key people	Alfred Kelley (president from 1847)
Products	Rail transportation services

The Columbus and Xenia Railroad was established to connect Columbus, Ohio with Xenia, Ohio, commencing operations in February 1850 after construction started in 1847. By linking up with the Little Miami Railroad, it created the inaugural rail connection between Cincinnati, Ohio and Columbus.

Formation and Fundraising

Incorporated on March 12, 1844, the Columbus and Xenia Railroad (C&X) counted among its early leadership future Ohio Governor William Dennison. Since the Little Miami Railroad had already connected Cincinnati to Xenia by 1845, C&X was positioned to complete the rail corridor between Cincinnati and Columbus.

The company was initially authorized to issue $500,000 in stock but encountered difficulties raising funds. Over several years, multiple local governments—including Greene County, Xenia, Franklin County, Columbus, and Madison County—were empowered to purchase stock amounting to more than $180,000. Additionally, the General Assembly allowed loans up to $300,000 to aid construction efforts.

By April 1845, only $200,000 had been secured, causing delays in surveying and construction progress. In response, the legislature broadened the company's charter in February 1848 to permit an increase of $1 million in stock issuance and unlimited loans necessary to complete the railroad.

Route Selection

Facing limited financial resources for completion, C&X appointed Alfred Kelley as president in 1847 with an annual salary of $500. Kelley was a distinguished Cleveland attorney and influential Ohio politician famed as the "father of the Ohio and Erie Canal." His extensive experience in canal and railroad projects proved invaluable. As a skilled financier, Kelley personally raised funds by marketing C&X bonds in New York City, securing capital required to finalize construction and acquire locomotives and rolling stock. He also worked closely with engineer Sylvester Medbery to survey and approve the railroad's path.

Grading and Track Installation

Construction kicked off in October 1847 with grading contracts extending westward from Columbus to Georgesville and further by late 1848, aiming for completion by February 1849. The track bed construction began in February 1849 targeting an October launch. Although the track bed was finished by mid-June, delays in constructing a bridge over the Scioto River necessitated building a temporary depot on the river’s west side within Columbus’ Franklinton neighborhood—a two-story brick facility measuring 161 by 39 feet.

Kelley procured T rails from Sir John Guest & Co. of Wales, making C&X one of Ohio’s earliest railroads to utilize T rails instead of strap rails. However, delivery of 200 short tons of rails arrived only in July 1849 at Cleveland, delaying track laying until autumn.

Railroad Opening

A locomotive was transported via canal and rail to Columbus to assist with laying tracks. Mild winter conditions accelerated work progress; by February 9, 1850, only a small portion of track remained unfinished. The company promptly established operational regulations and employed conductors along with track laborers.

Track laying was completed by February 21, 1850. The first test run took place on February 22, carrying railroad officials, local dignitaries, and businessmen on a flatcar during a three-hour trip.

Regular service commenced on February 27, 1850, utilizing the Washington locomotive constructed by Cincinnati's Bolton Works. Initially, no formal passenger or freight stations existed between Columbus and Xenia—only simple stops lacking platforms or shelters. On March 2, members of the Ohio General Assembly rode a special train celebrating the line’s opening.

Construction expenses surpassed original estimates of $600,000 (equivalent to approximately $ today), reaching $1.4 million (adjusted).

The C&X bridge spanning the Scioto River opened on December 14, 1850, providing access to a permanent freight and passenger station on High Street at Naughten. This barn-like structure covered three ground-level tracks. The station's location sparked controversy due to competing interests on both sides of the river. Minor expansions were made in the early 1860s to accommodate increased traffic during the Civil War. A new Union Station replaced it further north in 1875; the original was subsequently demolished.

In 1853, C&X erected a brick corporate headquarters directly across High Street from the depot.

Expansion and Merger

In 1853, the Columbus and Xenia Railroad and the Little Miami Railroad formed an agreement to operate collectively as a unified route. This partnership concluded in 1869 when the Columbus and Xenia Railroad entered into a permanent lease with the Little Miami Railroad. Subsequently, in 1870, the Little Miami Railroad along with its leased lines was itself leased to the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad, which eventually became incorporated into the Pennsylvania Railroad.

Bibliography

{{cite journal|last=Scheiber|first=Harry N.|title=Alfred Kelley and the Ohio Business Elite, 1822-1859|journal=Ohio History|date=Autumn 1978|}

For further reading

Steiner, Rowlee. A Review of Columbus Railroads. unpublished manuscript. 1952. (Accessible through the library of the Ohio Historical Society)