Memphis, Clarksville and Louisville Railroad

The MC&L entered receivership after the American Civil War, and financial troubles led to an 11-day strike in 1868 that ended when Louisville and Nashville Railroad (L&N) leased the line.

[1][note 1] In 1855 the charter was amended to allow it to build into Kentucky to a point on the Tennessee River to connect with the Memphis and Ohio Railroad.

[2] A ceremonial first train was operated on September 18, including a symbolic handshake between William Quarles and James Guthrie of the L&N at the Kentucky/Tennessee state line.

[24] In 1868 the railroad was bankrupt and could not pay its wages; this led to an 11-day strike in February,[25] during which time through trains from Memphis to Louisville were routed on competing lines via Nashville and McKenzie.

[19] L&N operated the line as its Memphis Branch,[16] but saw declining traffic through the early 20th century, with the last passenger train serving Clarksville in February 1968.