CNTP - Cumberland River Bridge (Burnside)

Actually, the bridge is not owned by Norfolk Southern. Neither is the entire rail line from Cincinnati to Chattanooga. You'd be surprised to know, the City of Cincinnati, Ohio owns the railroad line outright. Norfolk Southern leases the line from them. The line was built by the city starting in 1873 and was completed in 1879. It was built under them as the Cincinnati Southern railroad. The Cincinnati, New Orleans & Texas Pacific (CNO&TP) began leasing the line soon after, in fact, they were responsible for completing the lining of the 27 tunnels that once occupied the line. Two of which are located about 1/4 mile south of this bridge, where the old bridge sat. Tunnels 3 and 4 are located there. 3 goes under the KY 90 interchange. 4 pops out 100 feet from the old bridge's abbutment. The original bridge was a simple steel structure that was curved on the east/south end. It was bypassed by this one during the raising and creation of Lake Cumberland. In the early 20th century, the Southern Railway acquired the CNO&TP and also its lease with Cincinnati. In 1982 Southern Railway merged with the Norfolk & Western creating Norfolk Southern. NS retained the lease and it expires in 2026. NS will likely renew the lease. In 2009 the city made over 19 million dollars off the lease agreement.

You are absolutely correct! This bridge is indeed part of Norfolk Southern's line between Cincinnati and Chattanooga.

Union Pacific does not operate any lines in Kentucky. The locomotive in the first picture is likely a leased or run through agreement unit. I suspect Norfolk Southern is the owner of this bridge and trackage.