Construction of the route began at Frankfort in the early months of 1888, and reached Georgetown in June 1889, and Paris in January 1890.

[5] When it started, the Frankfort and Cincinnati Railroad had "serious financial reverses" before it even laid its first piece of rail.

[6] The route between Georgetown and Paris helped distribute the local fine Bourbon whiskey to markets.

In January 1927 the railroad was sold in public auction, with its owners a collection of citizens of Frankfort and Lexington, Kentucky.

[2] The Cardinal broke an axle on Christmas Eve, and for the last week of passenger service the F&C Superintendent A.E.