Frankfort and Cincinnati Railroad
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rail transport |
| Predecessor | Kentucky Midland Railway |
| Founded | 1888 |
| Defunct | 1987 |
| Headquarters | Frankfort, Kentucky , United States |
Area served | Kentucky (Frankfort, Georgetown, Paris) |
| Products | Freight and passenger rail services |
The Frankfort and Cincinnati Railroad was a regional shortline railway located in Kentucky, connecting Frankfort, Kentucky and Paris, Kentucky with a significant stop at Georgetown, Kentucky. The track extended roughly , intersecting the Southern Railway at Georgetown. Despite its designation, the railroad never reached Cincinnati, Ohio.
Early days
Initially incorporated as the Kentucky Midland Railway, construction commenced in early 1888. The line reached Georgetown by June 1889 and extended to Paris by January 1890. Part of the route traced the historic Buffalo Trace and involved construction costs exceeding $500,000. In 1899, the company was renamed the Frankfort and Cincinnati Railroad. Although there were intentions to expand toward Mount Sterling, Kentucky and Alton, Kentucky, these extensions were never completed. The full length of the line measured .
From its outset, the railroad encountered considerable financial difficulties, entering receivership in 1894. Nevertheless, by 1899 it was recognized for contributing to Frankfort’s economic development throughout that decade. The section between Georgetown and Paris played a crucial role in distributing locally produced Bourbon whiskey to wider markets. A proposed takeover by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad in 1909 was prevented by the Kentucky Railroad Commission and subsequently annulled in 1912. In January 1927, ownership changed hands through a public auction to investors based in Frankfort and Lexington, Kentucky.
End of the railroad
Passenger service on the Frankfort and Cincinnati Railroad ceased on December 31, 1952, as profitability declined due to increasing automobile usage. After The Cardinal railcar suffered an axle failure on Christmas Eve, F&C Superintendent A.E. Parker personally transported the remaining passengers by car for the final week.
The Pinsly Railroad Company purchased the line in 1961. The segment from Georgetown to Paris was abandoned in 1967; however, pressure from Bourbon distillers ensured preservation of the remaining portion. The Interstate Commerce Commission authorized further abandonments, limiting operations to the Frankfort–Elsinore stretch. By 1984, the railroad no longer owned any freight cars and maintained only a single interchange at Frankfort with the L&N. A trestle bridge damaged during a 1985 derailment was deemed too expensive to fix, leading to closure of the line. All rails were removed by 1987.
The Cardinal railcar was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1998 and is currently displayed at the Kentucky Railway Museum located in New Haven.