The first public meeting to consider the Cincinnati Southern Railway was held in 1836. Eleven years after the Fergeson Act was approved, the train would complete its first 337-mile journey from Cincinnati to Chattanooga. Recently, there have been talks of the railway being sold. 

The Cincinnati Southern Railway is part of a larger conversation regarding whether the city should maintain ownership. The question is: if it is sold, what could the money mean for the people of Cincinnati? A potential buyer, the Norfolk Southern Corp, has recently gained a poor reputation in the state, following the catastrophic train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. This incident left toxic chemical waste leaking for weeks at a time, despite a clean-up effort and investigation. The East Palestine incident has left opponents of the sale concerned about selling to Norfolk Southern. Supporters of the deal, however, have projected that the railway could become a vital contributor to the economy and that it will only grow in value. 

The plan for the railway is to sell for $1.6 billion and dedicate the proceeds towards a trust. It’s estimated that the investment proceeds could range from $50-$70 million per year, which is double what the railway brings now. It’s also been promised that the money from this railway sale will go to fixing roads, and sidewalks, and ensuring the city has clean water. All projects are projected to be done without raising taxes.