The Charleston, Cincinnati and Chicago Railroad, also known as the "Triple C," was a Southeastern railroad that operated in the late 19th century.

The company was formed in 1886 with the idea of extending a rail line from Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina

Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...

, to Ashland, Kentucky

Ashland, Kentucky

Ashland, formerly known as Poage Settlement, is a city in Boyd County, Kentucky, United States, nestled along the banks of the Ohio River. The population was 21,981 at the 2000 census. Ashland is a part of the Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH, Metropolitan Statistical Area . As of the 2000 census, the...

, in an effort to mine coal and iron ore found in the Appalachians.

Construction began at Rutherfordton, North Carolina

Rutherfordton, North Carolina

Rutherfordton is a town in Rutherford County, North Carolina, United States. The population was 4,131 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Rutherford County.-Geography:Rutherfordton is located at ....

, with rails being laid both north and south.

In 1890, major investor Baker Brothers & Co. failed and a court-appointed receiver was ordered for the Charleston, Cincinnati and Chicago. Three years later, the line was sold to its bondholders and a new corporation was established: The Ohio River and Charleston Railroad.