The model railroad loosely represents the “Rathole Division” of the CNO&TP – Cincinnati, New Orleans and Texas Pacific – 2nd Division. Known as the Rathole due to steep grades, which formerly had 27 tunnels and numerous curves.
Today only 4 tunnels remain – #22 & #24 at Nemo, TN (near Lancing) and #25 & #26 at Oakdale, TN.
The railroad runs 337 miles from Cincinnati, OH to Chattanooga, TN and was formerly by the City of Cincinnati – the only long distance railway owned by a municipality in the United States.
The CNO&TP is now leased to Norfolk Southern (NS).