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FROGRAILRailfan Sites in OhioRob Richardson is the Editor for Frograil's Ohio Railfan page.To submit contributions, corrections and/or additions to the Ohio page, please e-mail Rob here (after removing spaces and substituting for "at"): interrobang "at" yahoo . com Railfan, railfan--where do you see trains in Ohio? Why not take a railfan tour? CSX's New Castle Sub has been completed from Newton Falls to Creston, about 61 miles, and you can take your time and do it in a few hours, or relax, watch some trains, and make an all day or even an all-weekend tour out of it. Locations in the Cities and Sites listing below which are locations on the tour are identified with a CSX-NCS logo in blue. Rob Richardson has written a casual tour for those driving from Cleveland to Pittsburgh and back, using different routes. The tour is not super detailed, as the objective is to enable those traveling the route to stop off in several places, see some trains, and avoid driving monotony. Spots in Ohio along the way are marked with a C-P logo. The start of the Portsmouth - Cincinnati NS Cincy District tour includes about one-third of the route detailed. This starts at Vera Junction in Portsmouth, and goes thru Peebles, a distance of about 37 miles (including some Portsmouth mileage). Those sites in the Cities and Sites listing below which are included on the tour are marked with a [NS-CD] logo in black. This trackage is no longer active, and the tour is today only historic in nature, unfortunately. Mapwork: If you're going to be looking for railfan locations, you'll need an industrial strength map resource. I definitely recommend you get a DeLorme Atlas & Gazetteer, study it before your trip, and copy pertinent pages for your field work. You can usually get substantial discounts on DeLorme atlases thru the Frograil Railfan Store, which is here. CITIES and SITES
CONTRIBUTORS:(1) With thanks to Eric McFadden. Visit his Ohio railfan site here. (2) Mike Riley has given us the benefit of his wisdom here. Also, his information has been supplemented by map data which Dink Heinzman was thoughtful enough to provide. (3) From up there in Northeastern Ohio, Ken Stroebel was thoughtful enough to provide these goodies for us. (4) These precise and detailed sites are courtesy of Mark Nilges. (5) This information courtesy of Mike Rose. (6) Jim Six, an expert in things northern Ohio, has graciously contributed to this info. (7) Terry Stuart, who among other things runs a railroad oriented B&B near Pittsburgh's Conway Yard, has contributed these tidbits. (8) A Pennsylvanian, John Schodowski, provides this goodie for us. Thanks, John. (9) Lots of thanks go out to Carl Timko, whose input made these entries possible. (10) Thanx to John Thompson, Jr. of Elyria for this info. Hopefully, John will give us even more goodies in the months to come! (12) Roger Rassche and Eric Landrum collaborated on these sites. Please note the excellent detail they've provided. (13) Cameron T. Lashley has provided this data to us. He is the Webmaster for the most excellent Columbus Railroad Gallery, which is a comprehensive photo source for the area, and is highly recommended. (14) Rob Richardson has been kind enough to furnish this info. You can visit his ClevelandRails website here. ALLIANCE (October 18, 1998) Coming from I-77 in the Canton area, take Exit 107B, US 62 east. Follow the US 62 by-pass around Alliance (about 16 miles east of Dayton) to the OH 225 interchange. Take OH 225 south until it merges with OH-183, and then take the latter south to downtown Alliance. Follow the signs to the Amtrak station downtown. Quite simply stated, this is one of the best places I've ever been for train watching and photographing. Here, all trains from Conway (Pittsburgh) and Mingo JCT (near Steubenville, Ohio) meet to send themselves to the north (Cleveland), and to the west (Canton/Massillon). Also, of course, vice versa. No matter how you slice it, there are a lot of trains going thru here. But what makes this such a superior place to watch trains far exceeds the raw number of trains (probably 2-3 per hour on average), but the logistics of the site itself. Bring a lawn chair and set up in the grassy area by the Lincoln speech monument. Traffic on all four lines is easily shot from here. The attributes of this site are as follows: 1. Faces north. 2. Good traffic. 3. Lots of horn-blowing from trains approaching on all tracks -- no scanner needed. 4. Excellent photo access with no trespassing needed. There are few places to eat in the area. Go back to OH-183, and then south a couple of blocks to a Subway. I did that with my bride Sherry, and we were back trackside in less than 20 minutes. Before I visited this site, Mark Nilges and Mike Riley gave us the benefit of their wisdom here. Also, this information was supplemented by map data which Dink Heinzman was thoughtful enough to provide. ASHTABULA -- CSX YARD (July 2, 2000) From I-90, the Ohio Turnpike, go north on OH-11, which is a limited access highway now. Get off OH-11 at US-20/West Prospect Road, and go west. At West Avenue, turn right, and go north. If I were you, I'd go over the yard overpass once or twice to get the layout down. This is the ex-CR, exx-NYC yard. 1-4 engines. ASHTABULA -- HARBOR AREA (July 2, 2000) Reached by OH- 531 along Lake Erie, or OH-11 from I-90, the Ohio Turnpike, the Ashtabula harbor is one of the prettiest industrial and natural vistas in America. While the two may sound mutually exclusive, such is not the case here. From either the east or west hill overlooking the harbor, you are treated to a view which includes trains, unloading action, piles of bulk commodities waiting to be loaded on ships, the ships themselves, and all the hustle and bustle associated with such a place. Yet, the entire area (which is quite large), seems to be the epitome of neatness. The sparkling lake water provides quite a backdrop. This is a great place for a leisurely picnic lunch with the family. There is a small park on the west hill. ASHTABULA -- OD JUNCTION (July 2, 2000) At 29/30th Street West and West Avenue. This is the junction of the NS (ex-CR, exx-NYC) north-south line and the CSX (ex-CR, exx-NYC) east-west line. The crossing is OD junction. There is plenty of off-railroad area for photography. Be alert, as the east-west line has some really fast trains. Two "railroady" things happen here. Coal for export or other Great Lakes ports comes up from Pittsburgh on NS (ex-CR, exx-NYC) and the mountains to its west and south, and the CSX main line of the ex-NYC zooms thru on an east-west axis. These two operations are quite separate, in that they have little interchange, and they provide completely different railroading action. The coal trains are large and relatively slow, while the Chicago-Buffalo traffic tends to be mostly intermodal now, and very fast. BEDFORD -- BEDFORD RESERVATION (December 17, 1999) From I-271, go north on OH-14, which is Broadway thru Bedford. Besides lots of railroad action, Bedford's citizens enjoy the fact that the sprawling Bedford Reservation, part of the parks around Cleveland, is next door. A golf course, hiking trails, picnic area, and probably skiing in winter are all enjoyed within the huge Reservation. You can bring your family here on the pretext of having a picnic outing, all the while secretly knowing that you're going to see some trains -- lots of trains. From Broadway, turn to the west on Willis Road. This is a very hard left turn, as Willis is diagonal to Broadway. After a quarter mile or so, you'll see the entrance to the Willis Road Picnic Area. The entrance passes under the tracks of the NS (ex-CR, exx-PRR) Pittsburgh-Alliance-Cleveland mainline. Traffic is probably on the order of 2-4 trains per hour here. If you're in the mood for a hike, walk into the woods to the left, and turn left when you come to the top of the ravine. The path will lead you to the huge embankment that carries the tracks over Tinker's Creek ravine. The creek itself passes through the embankment in a stone culvert about 50 feet high and 150 yards long. You can walk down to the creek and thru the culvert if you don't mind getting your feet wet! Getting back on Willis, go to the southern end of the street, which dead ends into a small city park. This is the site of an old railroad bridge which had been abandoned for the better part of a century. The top of the old bridge has been paved as a trail, and you can walk out along it to within 50 feet of the NS mainline (which will be slightly above you). There is also a decent view of the tracks back to the north from the parking lot. Rob Richardson has been kind enough to furnish this info. BEDFORD -- BEDFORD SQUARE (December 17, 1999) From I-271, go north on OH-14, which is Broadway thru Bedford. In the downtown area is Bedford Square, with Broadway forming the east side and the Wheeling and Lake Erie (ex-N&W, exx-NKP?) tracks forming the west. Here, there is a restored station, and excellent photo angles for shots of WLE action. Unfortunately, there isn't a whole lot of such action, but the tracks are in rather poor condition, so you won't have to hurry if you're enjoying an adult beverage in a pub while waiting, or, more probably, if you're over at the NS Alliance line (see other Bedford entries on this page), and hear a locomotive horn. Just to the southeast of this location, the WLE tracks cross Broadway from SE-NW. A block east of here and just to the south, the tracks cross over Washington. The overpass is still labeled "N&W." This would also be a good photo location. Rob Richardson has been kind enough to furnish this info. BEDFORD -- EGBERT ROAD (February 5, 2000) Want to leave the hustle and bustle of the metropolis behind for a while and see some trains? Here's the spot for you. From I-271/I-480/OH-14 in southernmost Bedford, take the Broadway-Forbes exit, and go northwest on Broadway, OH-14. At the first light, take a shallow left onto Union Street. Cross Northfield Road, start going down the hill, and take the first left onto Egbert Road. Egbert immediately climbs to a bridge that crosses the NS Cleveland - Alliance line. Here, the NS double track ex-PRR mainline runs thru Bedford Reservation, so the line runs thru woods, with trees on both sides. There are some good photo locations here. You can walk up onto the bridge, which is two lane, and not overly busy, and is also blessedly free of chain link fencing. As an alternative, you can explore Olde Egbert Road. Years ago, Egbert passed over the tracks on a rickety bridge most notable for its angles. The road approached it at a 10º angle, then there was a crease and the bridge itself was level, then there was another crease and you'd go down 10º. This is hard to write intelligently, but if you've ever been over one of those uncomfortable things, you know exactly what Rob is describing. Eventually, Egbert Road was relocated, and a new bridge was built. Olde Egbert is a remnant of the old road. Streets with the same name run off to the left of Egbert on both sides of the bridge. You can take either one and drive to the end of the street, and walk out to where the old bridge used to be. If you like, you can then walk along the tracks slightly above track level to find the perspectives you want. Rob Richardson has been kind enough to furnish this info. BEDFORD -- NORTHFIELD ROAD (February 5, 2000) From I-271/I-480/OH-14, take the Broadway-Forbes exit. Go to Forbes and turn to the west. Just before you get to Northfield Road, OH-8, take the last left onto Division Street. Follow that road as far as you legally can, as it ends at a chain link gate into a factory. From here, I'll quote Rob:
Well stated. Stay off railroad property here. Rob Richardson has been kind enough to furnish this info. BEDFORD -- ROCKSIDE ROAD (January 30, 2000) Back in the 1970s, there was a long, narrow yard extending from the northern part of Bedford, thru Maple Heights, and on into Garfield Heights. During the rationalization of the rail lines in the area, the yard was closed and mostly torn up. Rockside Road, a busy east-west thoroughfare in north Bedford, crosses the area on an overpass. The bridge goes over the double track NS (ex-CR, ex-PC, exxx-PRR) mainline, the single track Wheeling and Lake Erie, and a few remaining spur tracks which have been used (frequently) to hold trains when the terminal to the north is congested. There is chain-link fencing across the guardrails of the bridge, but photos can be had from either end. Perhaps a step stool would help. The road is busy, so be careful. Signals for CP-Maple are in view just south (timetable east) of the overpass. There has lately been an interesting rumor that the ex-yard may become an intermodal facility! To get to Rockside Road, from eastbound I-480 in Garfield Heights, exit at Granger Road, and head east to Broadway and turn right (south) to Rockside, and then turn west (right) to the bridge. From I-480 westbound, get off at Broadway in Garfield Heights, and go south to Rockside Road and turn right (west) to the bridge. Parking will usually be available west of the tracks, in the Tops warehouse area. Rob Richardson has been kind enough to furnish this info. BEDFORD -- WEST GLENDALE (December 17, 1999) Bedford is a bedroom community southeast of Cleveland. It's railroad action, however, is anything but sleepy. The majorly heavy NS (ex-CR) Cleveland line from Alliance runs parallel to OH-14, Broadway, here, and there is also a Wheeling and Lake Erie line in town. To see the NS action: From I-271, take the OH-14 exit, and head northwest into Bedford. Turn west from Broadway onto West Glendale Avenue. Just before crossing the tracks, you will soon see a small parking lot which is frequented by railfans. Rob Richardson has been kind enough to furnish this info. BELLEVUE -- TR-305 (November 6, 2001) Tired of running around in town, dodging trains, trucks and autos? Here's a nice location for you which is close to town, but noticeably quieter. From the intersection of US-20 and OH-269, go south on OH-269. You'll go over the tracks to Toledo, and then in about 2/3rds of a mile, you'll cross the Columbus - Sandusky main. About 200 yards south of the latter, there will be a small road to the right. The Club Amer-Ital is just beyond this road. The road is officially known as Township Road 305, or TR-305. Before getting into specifics, park behind the Club Amer-Ital and get trackside. Here's what happens in front of you. To the northeast, the main line comes south from Sandusky and the Bellevue Yard. Just north of TR-305, the westbound Fort Wayne main has split from the Marion-bound main. After the N&W bought the Nickel Plate, a connection (the "New Connection") between the Fort Wayne line was made with the Marion main south of TR-305, in effect creating the third leg of a wye. This allowed trains from Columbus and the south to get over to Fort Wayne without having to spend time in the Bellevue terminal. Incidentally, the Amer-Ital parking lot has some shade, which is a major advantage in the summer. Drive straight west on CR-305, and you'll cross the Marion main and find yourself in the middle of the wye. There is a dirt road going down to the New Connection, but you'll have to be careful not to trespass on railroad property. As long as you're on or next to CR-305, you're on public property. Continue straight ahead on CR-305, and cross the New Connection. There is a dirt/gravel area which gives an excellent view of the Fort Wayne line straight ahead. Crews sometimes change here, and you may hear the crew and dispatcher refer to the "slaughterhouse". The name is because of the Bellevue Dressed Meats Company, which is located nearby. With many thanks to Jim and Dennis Mihalek, who've been visiting this location for going on to 2 decades now. BELLEVUE -- EAST (October 20, 1998) NSC On the east end of town on OH-113, go north on OH-4, or coming south from Sandusky and OH-2, simply go south on OH-4 until you go over the yard. If you miss it, you are not a railfan. Ness's sprawling, monster yard is laid out to the west of the overpass. There is, of course, no trespassing on railroad property. You can get pretty good pix from the overpass, but you need a decent telephoto, and you have to be very careful, as there's a lot of traffic on OH-4. What you'll see here is Bellevue-Cleveland traffic, but most of the action is thanks to the hump (just west of the overpass) and general yard switching and transfer movements. BELLEVUE -- MAD RIVER AND NICKEL PLATE MUSEUM (August 21, 1999) While I generally don't include museums in this railfan guide, I've made an exception here, as this is also a decent railfan site, and you can check out the railroad goodies between trains. From US-20 in town, take OH-269 (Southwest Street) south, and the museum is about 1/4 mile ahead. Thanx to John Thompson, Jr. for this info. Hopefully, John will give us even more goodies in the months to come! BELLEVUE -- THE BALL FIELD (November 6, 2001) Review the railfan location for TR-305. From here, you can get to a rather obscure but enjoyable location. As the name implies, there's a ball field in a small park, and this is a great place to watch action on the Fostoria District (the Fort Wayne line). From the intersection of OH-269 and Township Road 305 south of Bellevue, go west on TR-305. In order, you'll cross the Columbus - Sandusky main and the New Connection to the Fort Wayne line. TR-305 will end at a 90º turn south (left) on TR-314. Go south until TR-314 also ends in a 90º turn -- this time to the right (west) on to Wooten Street. Guess what? Wooten will end at a right (north) on to TR-328. Whew! Takes as long to describe as it does to drive it, for Heaven's sake. There is, indeed, a ball field, and it's part of a small park. It's a good place to picnic and let the kids run off some steam. In the summer, there's even a porta-potty in the park. In the winter, one can only imagine that it is far, far, far too cold to use a porta-potty. With many thanks to Jim and Dennis Mihalek, who've been visiting this location for going on to 2 decades now. BELLEVUE -- WEST (October 11, 1998) From the OH-4 bridge over the east end of the yard (see above), head south and you have two choices: First, take a right onto Edmonds Road, which takes you back to another portion of the yard for a different view, then go back south (a left turn is the only way you can go) on Prairie Road to OH-113. Or, you can take OH-4 to OH-113, in either case, go west on OH-113. As you drive west on OH-113, the tracks on the left are used by Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad (WE). OH-113 takes you through town, and runs into US-20. Go under the tracks, and look for a left turn onto Broad Street, then take another left onto East Center Street. This takes you over a grade crossing at the west end of the yard. Depending upon the sun, you can either stay north or south of the tracks. On the south side you can move up and down South Buckeye Street as you like, with plenty of safe street parking (and even shade in the summer!). The whole area is honeycombed with tracks, and if you go back out to Broad Street, then left onto Monroe, it will take you to the area where the W&LE comes in, and the NS tracks fan out in several directions. Traffic is nearly always heavy. For afternoon shots in particular, here are two options: Heading west on US-20, go under the tracks, and take your first right (Lyme -- there is a Subway shop here, by the way), and then your next right on North. Take North until it ends, and then turn right to the tracks. Plenty of parking, and if you are careful, the line poles can be worked around. Stay away from the tracks. From US-20, going west towards downtown, take a left onto Orchard, and then right on Center. Follow Center across the tracks, and take the first drive/driveway to the right. This will lead you behind a small engine/yard tractor repair establishment to a large grassy area. Park here, and plan your shots with the locations of the poles in mind. Mike Rose and Jim Six were thoughtful enough to provide this very detailed guide to the Bellevue Yard area. BELPRE (October 16, 1998) This town is the site of a wye formed by the east-west remnants of the B&O Cumberland- Cincinnati mainline, which has been cut just west of the wye, and a B&O branch line coming down the river from Marietta. There is a nicely restored caboose (enclosed behind chain link fencing, unfortunately) and maybe a some covered hoppers on one of the few yard tracks, but that's about it. However, any movement over the Ohio River in this area goes via the Parkersburg-Belpre bridge, so you might want to check out the schedule at the CSX yard office in the High Yard in Parkersburg, WV. Because of the significant rail traffic generated by heavy industry between Marietta and Belpre, there is surprising activity here upon occasion. The small yard and wye are in the vicinity of Franklin Street. BEREA (October 19, 1998) First, let's get to the most important stuff. The lovely old sandstone depot is now a restaurant. The classic lines of the station are gone, to a large extent. That said, I gotta tell you the food is great in the Pufferbelly Restaurant. Make reservations for a trackside window, get a bottle of good wine, some excellent food, and watch the trains go by. If you can't enjoy that, you need to be working in some musty old coal cellar making bombs or something, as there is obviously no joy in your life! Now, it's true that there has been a rather long commercial building built on the south side of the interlocking, where the so-called "railfan parking lot" used to be, but Berea is still a superior place to see trains, lots of trains. With the advent of the NS/CSX/CR double merger, action may even increase, but whether it does or not, variety will most certainly increase. CSX, as of this date, is double tracking the ex-CR, exx-NYC, exxx-"Big Four" route with 136 pound, 10 ounce rail made in 1998, and obviously means business here. Park on a side road off depot street, and walk to the grassy area just west of the tower and restaurant. Also, you can get plenty of good photos from the edge of the parking lots a little further west, at the end of the new commercial building. In neither location is it necessary (or smart) to venture out onto railroad property. A telephoto capability of about 65mm is all you need here. In my humble opinion, Berea remains the premier railfan location in the Cleveland area, and with the large volume CSX will be pushing down the Short Line thru Berea, the location will get even better. Unfortunately, I do not know how to railfan Berea in the late afternoon and evening hours. Any suggestions would be most welcome. From I-480, go south on the Berea Parkway, OH-237. When you get into Berea itself, cross the tracks until you see the depot and station restaurant on your right. This is Depot Street. Mark Nilges contributed a lot of good info and thoughts concerning this location. BRITTAIN (November 20, 2004) From the center of Akron, head east on I-76. At the Brittain Gilchrest Road exit-27, turn left to go north on Gilchrest. Cross North Canton Road, and then take a left onto Darrow Road, which will pass a warehouse housing a furniture store. Park somewhere along in this area, and walk around the corner of the warehouse and down the street. You'll end up at the east end of the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway's Brittain Yard. You've got a pretty good view into the yard. One warning: The first track you come to, leading up to a stone yard, looks unused, but it isn't. Be alert. Frograil's friend Rob Richardson was kind enough to provide this location to us. BREWSTER (October 18, 1998) From I-77 in the Canton area, take US-30 west to OH-241 south. At the OH-241/OH-93 junction, take OH-93 south in to Brewster. Just before the large underpass, turn right (west) into the engine servicing area. If you thought the Wheeling and Lake Erie (WE) was a quaint little shortline, one look at this facility will dispel that notion for good. This is a monster shop building, ex-N&W, and you may be able to drive down, turn around and leave, all the while taking several pix. However, it is best to write ahead and get permission from the railroad. Permission is hard to come by. If you go south of the underpass, take your first left (east), and go up into the parking lot for the large WE office building. You can park near the tracks and take pix, and you probably will not be bothered if you behave like an adult. There is some really interesting motive power on the WE, not to mention run-thru stuff such as CP and WC, so you might want to check in with the office and get some idea of what's happening when. Then you can get away from this area, and find a nice spot to get pix of the action. BROOKLYN HEIGHTS -- SCHAAF ROAD OVERPASS (December 2002) From the intersection of I-480 and Brook Park Road in the Brooklyn Heights area, go north on Tuxedo Avenue. If you suddenly find yourself going due west, you're going in the wrong direction. Tuxedo does a strange shift in direction from east-west to virtually north-south one block south of I-480. The city hall is at the intersection of Tuxedo Avenue and Schaaf Road. Park in the city hall parking lot and walk west on Schaaf to the old iron bridge over the CSX (ex-B&O) Short Line. You'll have a great view of the tracks northeast of the bridge, and an OK view southwest, but the tracks curve to the west and you can't see very far. Rob Richardson has been kind enough to furnish this info. CANTON -- CANTON JUNCTION (April 2006) From CP Wandle (see below), find Madison and follow it south. The Wheeling track from CP Wandle will be on your left. Eventually, it curls to its right and crosses Madison. Just before it gets to Madison, another line joins it from the west. This switch is Canton Junction. Occasionally, Wheeling trains will get permission to Canton Junction but not beyond, giving you a good chance to photograph them, especially in the evening, since they'll be facing west. The challenge here is parking. While there are no "No Parking" signs, the streets are wide and busy and it's obvious that a parked car would be a surprise. I was able to find one spot. There is a factory on your right before you get to the tracks. At one spot, there is an unused, locked gate. There's enough room for one car on the driveway by that gate without blocking it. If you see a train come up from the south and take the east track, bearing to the right through the switch, you can continue south on Madison to 11th St., turn left, and chase it. Rob Richardson has been kind enough to furnish this info. CANTON -- CP WANDLE (April 2006) Canton features two railroads. The NS Fort Wayne Line passes through Canton south of town, but that line is only a shadow of its former self since the Conrail split. There are still a few trains on it. The Wheeling & Lake Erie has tracks wandering all over, and occasionally there are trains on them. I haven't come close to figuring out either the tracks or the trains yet. The two railroads cross at CP Wandle. Take US-30 west from I-77 and get off at OH-43. Take OH-43 north over the NS tracks and then turn right. CP Wandle will be easily visible. Park anywhere and wander. There's not much traffic through here, but this is a great area for other railroad artifacts. The W&LE tracks come in from the north, snaking through some tall old buildings. Old two-head signals control Wheeling trains at the NS crossing, and large Pennsy signals on signal bridges control NS traffic. I have found one train that seems to run regularly on the Wheeling track, a southbound that approaches CP Wandle shortly after 5:00 PM on weekdays. If you're lucky enough to catch it on a clear day, the light is very good for photographing it. Rob Richardson has been kind enough to furnish this info. CHILLICOTHE (October 21, 1998) Since I visited this town back in 1984, I thought it was a very sad place. Previously a big-time B&O facility, the truncating of the mainline from Clarksburg-Cincinnati left Chillicothe as kind of a derelict, in some respects. Both NS and CSX go thru here today, but they have little in the way of facilities. From US-23, head west on US-50, which parallels what was the B&O. You will go over a large overpass, and then take your first left. Take the next left also, and head to the tracks and the immense old station which served the B&O and N&W. [By the way, the station has an antique shop on the first floor, with some very impressive looking items in it. I'm not into antiques, but there was some very attractive material in the store. Also, the proprietors run a repair shop for antiques, and seem to have every hand tool ever invented in their shop. A most interesting place.] The heavy, continuous weld double track mainline west of the station is that of the NS Portsmouth-Columbus mainline. A remnant of the B&O exists to the east of the station, where CSX has a bulk terminal and a pretty active grain elevator (which has what appears to be a GE-something for motive power). This trackage seems to connect with the NS. The CSX (ex-C&O) has a north-south line further north and west of this area, but I wasn't able to get up there, and would be glad to have your input concerning that line. It comes in from the east and goes north past Chillicothe, before going west and then resuming northward to Columbus. According to my very old USDOT map, it doesn't look like the CSX (ex-C&O) actually gets into Chillicothe, per se. CINCINNATI -- B & O WAREHOUSE (November 28, 1998) This area, located immediately west of downtown Cincinnati, and practically under the I-75/I-71 Ohio River Bridge, is a great place to catch the CSX action crossing the river. The C&O Ohio River Bridge passes along the north side of the warehouse building. Food may be acquired downtown, or across the river in Covington. The only downside to this location is the occasional seedy characters who tramp around the area. So, you might want to visit this location with some buddies, rather than go it solo, if possible. There is actually a police substation located in the warehouse, so this alleviates some of your possible concerns. Safety: Good Directions: Take I-75 to the Freeman Avenue Exit. At the exit, Gest Street intersects Freeman. Take Gest Street West about 1/4 mile to Dalton Street. Turn left onto Dalton, and go through 2 traffic lights (Gest Street and 8th Street), following a set of curves. Turn right at the next light in front of the county jail. The C&O bridge will be on your right. Keep going until you reach another traffic light, turn right, go under the bridge, over a set of tracks, then turn left into the B&O warehouse parking lot. Roger Rassche and Eric Landrum collaborated on these sites. Please note the excellent detail they've provided. CINCINNATI -- CSX GLENDALE (November 28, 1998) Described as a "charming little community" along the ex-B&O to Toledo and Indianapolis, Glendale is a quaint, middle class suburb located just north of Cincinnati. There is a restored passenger depot which houses a museum and gift shop. Food is located at Toad's Deli for light fare, and for a full meal (but a tad dressy), try the Iron Horse Inn. For a more relaxed atmosphere in a place you can watch trains from, try the seasonal Dockside Cafe, located across the tracks from the police station. They (the restaurant here, folks) have good sandwiches and a reasonable selection of beverages. Safety: Good Directions: Take I-75 north to the Sharon Road exit (exit 15) north of Cincinnati. This is the exit immediately south of the I-275/I-75 intersection. Go west on Sharon Road through one traffic light, which is about one mile. Turn left immediately before you cross the CSX (ex-B&O) tracks. Parking is on the right next to the police station. Photos are good from here all morning; be a little creative in the area for afternoon shots. Roger Rassche and Eric Landrum collaborated on these sites. Please note the excellent detail they've provided. CINCINNATI -- SR Bridge (April 21, 2006) Fr. Dale was kind enough to send the following description, repeated here verbatim: "The next time you are in Cincinnati, look for the spectacular (former) SR
bridge approach on Sixth Street. It's Lots of autoracks, intermodal, and two Roadrailers in the afternoon." Your friendly neighborhood Ohio editor adds the following: When Fr. Dale says "Finding the spot is bad", I think he means it! I tried to verify his directions using Mapquest, and failed utterly. This seems to be a place where a DeLorme atlas is required.
CINCINNATI -- WINTON PLACE (July 30, 2001) This is far and away the most popular train watching spot in the entire Cincinnati area. More traffic passes through here than at any other location in the region. [NOTE: For you TrainDispatcher 2 and 3 fanatics, this is location "R" on the CSX Cincinnati Yard (CSXCINYD) territory, and it can be a nightmare!] Every railroad in Cincinnati is represented. With three tracks, activity can be hectic. There is food available in the immediate area, at McDonalds, Frisch's, Rally's and Kroger. These are all within 3/4 of a mile of Winton Place. Eric and Roger give Winton Place the following ratings: Safety -- Excellent To get to Winton Place, take I-75 to the first exit north of I-74, which is Mitchell Avenue. Go west on Mitchell, under the tracks, and turn left on Spring Grove Avenue. Go south approximately 3/4 mile thru 2 traffic lights, and Salway Park will be on your left. This is a poor photo location, but it is a place where the kids can get out and run their legs off. To get to the Clifton Avenue vantage point, follow the above directions, but turn left off Spring Grove Avenue at the first light onto Clifton Avenue. You will see the photo location on your right as soon as you go under the tracks. Again, parking is available at Kroger and Blockbuster. Your humble webmaster feels the Kroger parking lot is the best place in the area. The store is very, very nice, offering a deli, salad bar (there's even an olive bar!), and almost everything else you might want to eat. It's a great way to get away from the greasy crap from the fast food joints. If, however, you crave a burger, MacDonald's is literally right behind the Kroger parking lot. The grassy area to the east of the Kroger parking lot is a fine place to open up the lawn chairs, get out the cooler, and let the big dogs come to you. The tracks are rather elevated here. If you've got a pick-up, sit in the back. Better yet, fan in a van with a platform on top, and you'll get much better viewing and pix. Expect 1-4 trains per hour, and they can come in bunches. You'll see IORY, NS, and CSX. There are one major and two minor downers to this location. There is absolutely no shade anywhere. I visited on a day when the heat index was north of 100º, and it was not at all enjoyable. The first minor concern deals with noise. This is a busy location, and the air handling system in the supermarket, the traffic on the many roads in the area, and the occasionally parked semi's all combine to raise the ambient noise to a considerable level. Trains going thru are not working hard and may be quieter than the ambient noise. Therefore, it's a must to be alert and prepared. The other minor downer is the parked semi's I've just mentioned. They come into the Kroger parking lot and park down near the tracks. The drivers get out and get lunch at the deli in Kroger's or at MacDonald's. You can have the perfect view easily blocked. No problem -- just walk over to the grassy area. Roger Rassche and Eric Landrum helped on this site. Please note the excellent detail they've provided. CLEVELAND -- ALL (October 19, 1998) Cleveland is a big, bustling city, and there are tracks and railroad activities seemingly everywhere. It is also very much a railroad town in transition, as CSX and NSC absorb Conrail. The sites listed here should continue to be good sites, but things will change. I'd suggest you become a member of the Cleveland Rails info group, and utilize the knowledge of the local fans, before you make a long trip. Definitely, you must have a good quality road map. An investment of less than $5 will add immeasurably to your efficiency and enjoyment. As in every other city, you should keep security in mind -- both yours and the railroads'. Whenever possible, fan with friends. Keep off railroad property, and to the extent practical, keep off anyone's property except public roadways, etc. Don't screw it up for the rest of us! Mark Nilges points out that the Cleveland area rapid transit system offers an excellent way to see the city. If it's raining and you can't get your pix, hop on the transit system and ride around for a bit. Routes seem to converge on Tower City (ex-Terminal Tower), which has lots of neat shops, which your wives will love. CR The east end of Collinwood Yard is close to the intersection of either Neff or Nottingham and St Clair. Get up to the south side of the tracks on either Neff or Nottingham Road. There is good action thru here, and viewing is from a good dirt road. CR Collinwood's west end is reached from either I-90 or OH-283, and traveling south on 152nd Street. After going over the tracks, take a hard right into the yard. While there is heavy security, of course, you may be able to get some shots from your car. CLEVELAND -- 110TH STREET WEST (October 19, 1998) From US-6/US-20 (Clifton Blvd), go south on 110th Street West to the railroad crossing. This is the NS (ex-N&W, exx-NKP). As you cross the tracks, there is an open area to the east which used to be an NKP yard. Park on the street, and walk to the grassy area east of 110th Street, and south of the tracks. NS (ex-CR) goes over the track about 1/4 mile east of this point, and RTA's light rail skirts the NS tracks at the same point. Some exploring might give you some interesting vantage points. [FRIENDLY WEB AUTHOR'S NOTE: The identical nasty "Tow Away Zone" signs present west of the Rockport Yard are posted in the paved parking area off 110th. Why is anyone's guess, as it looks as if one or two cars per decade park here, but why take a chance -- park on the street.] Mark Nilges provided the info for this site, and his input is most appreciated. CLEVELAND -- COLLINWOOD YARD EAST (July 17, 2000) Get off I-90 at East 185th Street, and drive south on 185th to St. Clair. Make a right U-turn onto Nottingham. Turn left at the end of Nottingham (the only choice) onto Syracuse. You are now on a road that has some dingy little industries on the left, and the east end of the CSX Collinwood Yard (ex-CR, exx-NYC) on the right. There are little or no obstructions between you and the yard. Since Collinwood is oriented southwest to northeast, there might be better photo ops here in the morning than in the PM. If you're there in the morning, try this: Go back to St. Clair and turn left. Turn right on East 200th and park on the street. Walk back to St. Clair and enjoy the trains coming in and out of Collinwood on the tracks running within 100 feet of the street. Also, you can walk to Station E, the new refueling station CSX is installing. Be careful walking between the street and the tracks. Railroad property is not marked as such, but common sense should rule. Rob has been careful, and he's not been hassled. If you're in this area in the evening, go back to 185th, and go north under the tracks, and turn right, following the signs to I-90 eastbound. Don't get on the interstate. You'll be on a road with various small businesses, so pick one and park. None of the businesses have fences between their property and the tracks, but it's always a good idea to ask permission to park and shoot trains from private property. Rob Richardson has been kind enough to furnish this info. CLEVELAND -- CORNELL ROAD (December 2002) From I-90, take exit 173b and go east on Chester Avenue. You'll go quite a ways virtually due east, until the street makes a decided swing to the southeast (in the Doan's Corners area). Just after making this swing, take a left to go northeast on Euclid Avenue. You'll shortly pass the University Hospitals of Cleveland complex, and then take a right onto Cornell Road. Go across the bridge over the tracks and turn left at the first street, which is Random Road. The Goose Acres folk music store is at that corner, and is highly recommended by Rob. Find a place to park and walk back across the overpass and turn right at the first street. There's plenty of space to watch trains, there's nothing blocking the view, and it's as safe a neighborhood as you're going to find in Cleveland. So, after all that effort, what will you see? A lot. Besides the Regional Transit Authority's heavy transit line, the CSX (ex-Conrail) Short Line and the NS (ex-NKP) Buffalo Line run side-by-side here. Bring some film. Rob Richardson has been kind enough to furnish this info. CLEVELAND -- CP SHORT (October 18, 1998) From the west: From the intersection of I-71 / I-480, take I-480 east to the Tiedeman Road, and go south on Tiedeman to Brookpark Road (OH-17). Travel west on Brookpark, then go north on West 130th Street. Go under I-480 and the tracks to Enterprise Avenue, just north of the tracks. At the end of Enterprise, the road will curve to the right and become Briar Road. Before this curve, there are some businesses on the left (west) with parking lots that have access to the tracks. CP (Controlled Point, or an electronic tower) Short is just west of these businesses. [NOTE: Based on my October 18th observations, a little creativity is in order here!] From the east, it's a little easier, as there is a direct exit from I-480 to West 130th Street. Then go north to Enterprise, etc. CP-Short is two east/west tracks crossed at grade by one north/south track. There is a connection in the southeast corner, and a wye connection in the northeast corner. In New York Central terms, the east/west tracks were the Beltline, and the north/south track was part of the multiple track Big Four route. The Beltline was a double track bypass of downtown Cleveland that started at a flyover off the mainline at the western end of Collinwood Yard, and ended back at the mainline at a duck under at the western end of Rockport Yard. The Big Four route came up from Berea and ended at a wye at the mainline downtown, just east of the Cuyahoga River drawbridge. This route historically carried passenger service, as well as some freight. Today, Conrail's Short Line consists of the Beltline from Collinwood to CP Short, which then uses the connection in the southeast corner to continue south on double track to Berea via the ex-Big Four route. Apparently, CSX's plan is to double track the connection, as this will be their primary route through Cleveland. [NOTE: On October 18, 1998, in the rain and about 38 degrees, a big crew was working furiously here. This is part of the double track initiative from Willard to Berea to (?) Collinwood.] The wye in the northeast corner is used by trains from Rockport Yard that go up the Big Four (now the Clark Industrial Track), and over the NS Beltline at Knob and down into the Flats. Traffic levels at CP Short are dependent on the total traffic situation in the Cleveland Terminal area at any specific time. This is the shortest Pittsburgh -- Chicago route, but traffic congestion on the Short Line can result in some traffic being re-routed. Mark Nilges was nice enough to share this data with us. Mark is a Cleveland expert, and lives, naturally, as does your friendly web author, in North Carolina! CLEVELAND -- CUYAHOGA LIFT BRIDGE EAST (October 19, 1998) This is in far north Cleveland, right by the lake. All trains coming out of Collinwood heading west must cross this two-track lift bridge. On the east side is the "Flats", which is a touristy "night-life" area, with nightclubs, restaurants and what have you. The area is north of US-20/US-6 (Superior Avenue) on Old River Road, which ends and swings to the northeast as Front Street. There is a series of public parking lots north of Front Street, and the tracks parallel these parking lots. In the northwest corner of the lots, close to the lift bridge, good pix are possible in the morning and early afternoon light, especially if you stand on a convenient cinder block for a little extra height. Yuck, but I could find no place to park which wasn't metered or a pay lot (we don't have things like that in Frog Pond!). Jim Six and Mark Nilges contributed their insights to this location. CLEVELAND -- CUYAHOGA LIFT BRIDGE WEST (October 19, 1998) This is in far north Cleveland, right by the lake. All trains coming out of Collinwood heading west must cross this two-track lift bridge. At the corner of Elm Avenue and River Road, go over the lift bridge towards Ontario Stone. At the end of the lift bridge, take the road to your left. The tracks are on your right. Straight ahead is a very large Cargill bulk facility, and the road into it is private. Next to Ontario Stone's west end is a fence with a nice little place to pull off and park. At the northern edge of the fence is a Conrail "No Trespassing" sign. Without trespassing, you have good photo access and sighting for east-bounds. West-bounds are very tough to see or hear, as this is an industrial area with every dump truck in Northern Ohio zooming around, not to mention that every airplane ever produced is going right over your head here. Be alert, and do not venture out to the tracks. A medium (60mm) telephoto lens will get you good pix. You'll see an average of at least 2 trains per hour here, and on busy days, more. Thanks to Mark Nilges and Jim Six, who contributed to this info. CLEVELAND -- MILL CREEK FALLS (December 4, 2002) A new site has been created that is excellent for watching traffic on the NS Cleveland Line. Mill Creek Falls is a small park that has been acquired by Cleveland Metroparks. Its primary purpose is to let visitors see Mill Creek Falls, the highest in Cuyahoga county. The fact that it is next to the NS Cleveland Line is an added bonus for us fans. It is nestled in the intersection of Broadway, Miles, Turney, Warner and East 93rd Street, and, as Rob says, it "...may well be the most complicated intersection in Cleveland." Here is one set of directions, although you may wish to insert your own, and remember that this little park will probably not be shown on any maps, including MapQuest: Turney Road runs thru the western sides of both Maple Heights and Bedford Heights. It runs relentlessly northwest until it ends at Warner Road, just inside the Cleveland city limits. At the end of Turney, the entrance to the Mill creek Falls parking lot will be across the street from you, slightly to the right. Alternatively, you could drive northwest on Broadway thru Garfield Heights. Shortly after passing CP-114, a parking lot for the park will be on your left. Park there and follow the bike trail northwest to the falls. This sounds like a nice place to combine a family outing with a railfan outing. Rob Richardson has been kind enough to furnish this info. CLEVELAND -- ROCKPORT YARD EAST (October 18, 1998) On the southwest side of Cleveland is another Conrail yard, which is known as Rockport Yard. In September of 1994 it was handling 500-600 cars of interchange per day, and it's probably busier now. This is a level yard, and there are several switch jobs working here. 4-12 engines. From either I-480 or I-71, get on OH-17, which is Brookpark Road. Go north on 150th Street to immediately before the tracks; you'll see the yard tower and engines to your left. This is pretty much the eastern end of the yard. If there are engines parked in front of the yard office waiting to be photographed, then leave your car, walk to the edge of the building, take your pix and leave. Don't wander around, and DO NOT leave the parking lot. I would suggest you take your pix and depart rather quickly. CLEVELAND -- ROCKPORT YARD WEST (October 18, 1998) For the west end of the Rockport Yard area, we now turn to Mark Nilges for his input: There is a large parking lot for the rapid transit line on the north side of Brookpark Road (OH-17), just east of the ex-Conrail mainline (which comes up from Berea, between the Ford Motor Company plant and the Berea Freeway (OH-237)). If you drive to the far back west corner of the lot, there is an access road into Rockport Yard that leads under the interstates. You can watch trains work the west end of Rockport as well as see mainline traffic. Mark has watched trains there before and not been bothered, but he is wise enough not to venture into the yard itself -- don't be greedy, fans, be wise. [NOTE from your friendly web author. Do NOT drive your car out of the RAT parking lot towards the tracks. Park and walk up the railroad's drive, and before going under I-480, walk to your left. You are now probably 50' from the track, and shouldn't draw attention to yourself here. Best in late fall, winter and early spring. There are nice, big, really friendly "Tow-Away Zone" signs all over this area, and @$70.00 a pop, it's just not worth the money or the hassle (which is certainly far worse than the money). And remember, a tow-away-predator-tow-truck-operator doesn't care whether your car is vacant or occupied -- it gets towed!!] Catching north/east bound trains will be a problem here, and the shadows can be a problem, obviously, but for a quickie railfan fix, this is an OK spot. Mark Nilges was nice enough to share this data with us. Mark is a Cleveland expert, and lives, naturally, like your friendly web author, in North Carolina! COLUMBUS -- BUCKEYE YARD (April 20, 2000) The main NS (ex-CR) facility in Columbus, the yard is really hard to fan, for a variety of reasons. When the Webmaster was there back in 1991, it was a pretty unfriendly place for fans, much like most big city yards. Today, the surrounding area has hardly improved, and Norfolk Southern takes security very, very seriously. Rather than trying to get into the yard (and meeting some real, live railroad special agents who will be most unhappy with you), Cameron recommends you use the following overpasses for railfanning: Roberts Road. Take I-70 west to I-270. Take I-270 north about one mile to the Roberts Road exit. Turn left at the end of the ramp. The overpass is in about one mile. This overpass looks over the intermodal yard, which today is operated by CSX. Trabue Road. From the east, take I-70 west to Wilson Road exit. Turn right at the end of the ramp. Drive about a mile and a half to Trabue Road (second stoplight). Turn left, and the overpass is about two and one half mile ahead. It overlooks the hump and yard tower facilities. Fisher Road. From the east, take I-70 west to the Wilson Road exit. Turn left at the end of the ramp. Drive about a mile and a half to Fisher Road (second stop light). Turn right. The overpass is about two and a half miles ahead. It overlooks the arrival and departure tracks for the yard. COLUMBUS -- PARSONS YARD (April 20, 2000) From I-71, take the OH-104/Frank Road exit. At the end of the exit ramp, turn right. Drive approximately two miles to the Groveport Road exit. At the end of the exit ramp, turn left. At the first stop light, turn left on Parsons Avenue. Drive south on Parsons until you drive under the freeway and railroad overpass. At the next stoplight, turn left in the parking lot for the Parsons Yard. This is the classification yard for CSX in Columbus. You'll see a variety of CSX power from new AC's to GP30 road slugs. Buckeye Steel mill operates adjacent to the yard, and regional railroad Indiana & Ohio interchanges with CSX at Parsons. If you visit the yard, do not leave the gravel parking lot area. Also, during shift change time, leave the lot, because it is very busy with MoW equipment. This area is not recommended after dark. Cameron T. Lashley has provided this data to us. He is the Webmaster for the most excellent Columbus Railroad Gallery, which is a comprehensive photo source for the area, and is highly recommended. COLUMBUS -- SCIOTO TOWER (November 23, 2005) According to Dick Jacobs, the tower itself was razed in the Fall of 2005. About 60% of all mainline traffic in Columbus is routed thru this interlocking plant. The area is not easily accessible, and requires a knowledge of downtown Columbus. A good map is important. From downtown, take West Broad Street west past COSI, About two blocks past COSI, there are two railroad overpasses. Immediately after the first overpass, turn left onto an unmarked alley. Drive back along the alley about two hundred yards until you reach the tower. Be cautious along the alley, as it tends to be muddy and is not paved. Use a truck, not a Geo. Also, MoW crews use this road to access the tower and adjacent areas, so you may not be able to get your vehicle all the way back to the tower. If so, park on the right side of the alley next to the retaining wall. During daylight hours, you can see about 60-70 trains. [NOTE WELL: There are three major concerns here. 1. The area is absolutely not safe after dark. 2. There are trains moving on a lot of different tracks -- sometimes simultaneously. They can sneak up on you. Get well away from any tracks. 3. Finally, you must get yourself positioned whereby you are not trespassing. I recommend you visit this location with a local fan, rather than try to explore it on your own.] Cameron T. Lashley has provided this data to us. He is the Webmaster for the most excellent Columbus Railroad Gallery, which is a comprehensive photo source for the area, and is highly recommended. COLUMBUS -- WEBER ROAD (January 2005) Thru this point, CSX operates a single track main, and NS has a two track main. About 30 or more trains per day go thru. To get there, take I-71 to the Weber Road exit (about one mile north of the State Fairgrounds). At the end of the exit ramp, go west. The crossing grade is about 100 yards west of the interstate. There is an open parking are south of Weber Road. You'll often find fellow railfans here, and the area is reasonably safe. Cameron T. Lashley has provided this data to us. He is the Webmaster for the most excellent Columbus Railroad Gallery, which is a comprehensive photo source for the area, and is highly recommended. Additionally, Mike Stokes has updated this entry, effective January 2005. CONNEAUT -- P & C DOCK COMPANY (March 6, 2000) Take exit 241 from I-90, and head north into town on OH-7. When OH-7 it meets US-20, turn right and go east for three blocks. Turn left (north) north onto Broad Street. Go about as far north as you can, and a few blocks before driving into Lake Erie, take a right (east) on Erie Avenue. This will take you to the Pittsburgh & Conneaut Dock Company office building. You will note their parking lot is fenced in. You will be able to deduce that you are not welcome on their property. Therefore, get out your telephoto, stay off company property, and you'll probably get some OK shots of some most interesting old locomotives. With grateful thanks to Carl Timko, whose information has made this posting possible. CONNEAUT -- NS YARD EAST (May 29, 2000) Take exit 241 from I-90, and head north into town on OH-7. Cross US-20, and stay straight northbound on Mill Street. Before you cross the NS tracks, which are the first you'll encounter, turn left (west) on Jefferson Street, and go two blocks to Chestnut Street. The yard office is here, and there is also an industrial parking lot, but get permission to park there first. To the northwest is the NS (ex-NKP) yard. Remember fans, the Norfolk Southern Corporation has a zero tolerance approach to trespassers. Unless you want to visit the municipality's overnight accommodations, do not venture onto railroad property. [Webmaster's Note: There is some confusion here as to whether the yard office is north or south of the tracks. Carl says it's north of the tracks, and the municipal street riding is about to become a thing of the past, so this area is in flux. Be alert, and keep me posted.] With grateful thanks to Carl Timko, whose information has made this posting possible. CONNEAUT -- NYC DEPOT AREA (March 6, 2000) Conneaut is located about 13 miles east of Ashtabula. Three railroad things happen here. First, the CSX (ex-CR, exx-PC, exxx-NYC) mainline barrels thru; second, the Bessemer and Lake Erie comes up from the coalfields to it's dock facility on Lake Erie, and third, Norfolk Southern (ex-NKP) runs thru here parallel to CSX. In town, on Depot Street (natch!) is a good site to watch trains. There is an old New York Central depot. In the spring and summer months, the depot is home to the Conneaut Historical Railroad Museum, and is often open. On display are NKP 2-8-4 #755, a B&LE hopper, and B&LE wooden caboose #1001. Inside are items of interest to railfans and historians. They also have a model railroad and a small gift shop. The main attraction to most fans, however, is the CSX mainline right in front of the building. To get to the depot, take exit 241 from I-90, and head north into town on OH-7. When you cross the NS tracks, Depot Street is between NS and CSX, and just before you cross the latter, you'll want to turn right to get to the building. With grateful thanks to Carl Timko, whose information has made this posting possible. COSHOCTON -- ENGINE FACILITY (October 17, 1998) Business has been booming on the Ohio Central, and they have left their cramped quarters near the old NKP station, for a brand new, impressive facility to the east of town. In Coshocton, go east on Chestnut Street, and make no turns. This will become County 16. At the foot of a hill, at a very sharp curve to the right (this is maybe 3 miles or so from town), there is an unremarked dirt road to your left. Take this road to the tracks and park. Here is the deadline and storage area for the railroad. If the farm gates next to County 16 are locked, ask at the farmhouse for permission to walk down the road to the tracks for pix. It's only about a quarter mile from County 16 to the tracks. Continuing east on County 16, and about one-half mile or so from the farm road, you will see a sign on your left (north) for the Ohio Central Railroad. Take the entrance road to the engine facility, and walk around the shop on the north to the west end of the building, where the office is located. Check in here before taking any pictures. [NOTE: These directions can be reversed by coming west on County 16 from the town of West Lafayette.] The rolling stock here is scrumptious, with everything from Alco to EMD to GOKW (short for God Only Knows What), and most certainly including steam engines which are used, and not on static display. The railroad has an active, energetic steam-hauled passenger/tourist program. This is a neat place, and get your permission ahead of time and enjoy it. COSHOCTON -- TOWN AREA (October 17, 1998) The impressive Ohio Central (ex-CR, exx-PC, exxx-PRR) station downtown is at the corner of 5th and Walnut. The station is still manned by OHCR personnel, and to visit the engine facility, you may be able to get permission here. Better yet, I'd suggest calling or writing ahead for permission. From the PRR station, go one block west past the freight station, and turn left. After several blocks, you'll come the small, wooden, ex-NS, exx-N&W, exxx-NKP station. There may be some interesting old equipment here. CRESTLINE (October 21, 1998) This has been a real simple junction, wherein the CR Cleveland-Columbus and CR Pittsburgh-Indianapolis mainlines meet for a few miles, and then separate again in Galion (yes, this is a bit of an oversimplification, but it'll do). Now, however, the Cleveland-Columbus line will become CSX, and the Pittsburgh-Indianapolis line will become NS. The simple junction isn't going to be simple any more. There are big crews for both roads and their contractors feverishly adding connections which appear to be going all over the place. The area right at the (closed) tower looks like a spaghetti bowl. All this means that railfanning here will be much more difficult and complicated than ever before. Us primitive railfans may someday actually have to buy a scanner. I think this is really exciting. From US-30, take OH-61 south to the junction, and go over the junction and take the first left, then snake back to the tracks. You can get several photo locations from off railroad property, but as traffic flows change, you'll have to re-pick your favorite spots. Then, you need to let your favorite web author know all about them, so I can keep this location up-to-date. It looks as if the (apparent) location of the old railroad station NE of the junction will remain a good, off-railroad-property photo location for afternoon shots, but you might want to try opposite this spot for a NW angle. This area is worthy of much trial-and-error railfanning, because it's a vital part of Ohio and mid-America railroading, irrespective of the initials on the engines. Mike Riley has given us the benefit of his wisdom here. Also, his information has been supplemented by map data which Dink Heinzman was thoughtful enough to provide. CUYAHOGA FALLS -- MAIN STREET (November 2004) From OH-8 in the middle of Cuyahoga, take the Broad Boulevard/Talmadge Road exit, and head one block west and over the tracks. Take the first right onto Newberry Street, and then your second right onto Sill Avenue. Park on Sill before you get to the tracks. Walk ahead to Main Street, and find a photo location that you like. Main is one-way southbound. This is an excellent morning location for southbounds (railroad westbound). Frograil tips it's hat to Rob Richardson for this information. Rob has been a valuable contributor to Frograil for several years. DAYTON (April, 2001) SOURCE: This information is courtesy of Rick Eppley, by way of John Combs. Thanks to both of you. CR. In northeast Dayton, is a yard which can be viewed from Monument, First, and Springfield streets. This yard is used to interchange with CSX. In the southern Dayton suburb of Moraine, CR has a yard which services several General Motors production facilities. You can also see GTW and NS trains here. North of the Moraine yard, the tracks cross the Great Miami River. The bridge is a good photo location, and there is parking available. CSX. The CSX facility is in the northern part of the city. At the northern end of the yard, there is a Cargill facility and also, a General Motors plant. Both of these can be viewed from the Needmore Road bridge. The yard office is at the south end of the yard, and can be viewed from the Wagoner Ford Road bridge. DAYTON -- WEST RIVER ROAD (June 12, 2001) From I-75 south of downtown, take exit 50A and go north on Dryden Road, over the Great Miami River, to a left on Nicholas Road. Cross the CSX tracks and immediately take another left onto Danner Avenue. You'll be sandwiched by a golf course to the west and the tracks to the east. Unfortunately, there is fairly heavy trash truck traffic on Danner (landfill near-by, apparently), so it's not a recommended railfan location. Danner will end at a T with Guthrie Road, and you want to take a left and, just before going under the tracks, there's a small pull off area to the left. For afternoon locations, this might do well for you. If you go under the tracks, turn right onto West River Road, and there are a couple of places to pull off for parking. Walk to the tracks. Pretty much morning locations. You are fairly secluded here with the river on one side of you and the tracks on the other. This is the CSX main line between Deshler/Chicago/Toledo/Detroit and Cincinnati, and traffic is heavy. Expect 1-3 trains per hour, so stay alert. This information is by way of Dave Tavener, who enjoys the location during his lunch hour. I should be so lucky! ELYRIA (July 2000) A place most folks have never heard of, Elyria has close to 60,000 residents, and sees up to 40-50 trains a day on the NS (ex-CR, exx-PC, exxx-NYC). Sounds like a place to visit! Reach trackside via taking exit 8 of the Ohio Turnpike west of Cleveland. The town is also accessible via US-90. From either the Turnpike or US-90, go south on OH-57 until you come to a 4-way stop intersection near a dairy. Go west (right) and you can't miss the railroad tracks. At the tracks, there is lots of off-RR property for good pix most times of the day. There are lodging spots and beaucoup restaurants to the north of the railfan location. After daylight hours, some undesirables have been noted, so make this a day trip, and bring some friends with you. This info courtesy of John Thompson, a most knowledgeable fellow re the area. FOSTORIA (July 1995) If you had to pick only one location to watch trains in north central Ohio, you'd do pretty well by picking Fostoria. Get a burger and pop, settle down near the tracks, and be entertained. That said, however, you'd be well advised to do some scouting about first, because a lot happens here, and there are plenty of railroad areas where trespassers are definitely not welcome. In Fostoria, the CSX Toledo/Columbus and Willard/Chicago lines cross, and just north and west of that diamond, respectively, the NSC Bellevue/Ft Wayne line crosses these two CSX lines. In October of 1995, TRAINS* reported that some 3 depots and 2 towers were still standing in Fostoria, but I haven't been there since 1993, so I don't know whether they still are today. TRAINS* also has a good, introductory map of Fostoria for the railfan, on page 69 of the same issue. Fostoria is about 36 miles south of Toledo on OH 199. Stay on OH 199 thru town, and you'll come to the crossing of NSC and the CSX Willard/Chicago line, quite close to the CSX station. Stay off RR property here. Continue on OH 199 south of the station, and go east on OH 18. Go east under the tracks, and then turn left on Columbus Avenue. As you go NW on Columbus, you'll see the CSX yard throat to your right, a tower (if it's still standing) at the CSX/CSX crossing to your left, and will go across the CSX and NSC lines almost where they cross. The NSC yard will be to your right as you cross the NSC tracks. Get a detailed map and plan to spend some time, as up to 4 trains per hour go thru Fostoria. * What? You don't subscribe to TRAINS? And you call yourself a railfan? Contact TRAINS here and sign up for a darned good magazine. GALION (October 21, 1998) From OH-61 north of Harding Way (east-west main street), go west on E. Church Street. Do not go over the overpass, but take the small road to the right. This will take you down to the double tracks north of the junction of the Indianapolis and Columbus mainlines. The very grand station is west of the tracks. There are plenty of areas on both sides of the tracks for photos. GRAFTON (March 9, 2000) This small town southwest of Cleveland has 3,100 souls and two rail lines. One, the CSX line from Medina to Sandusky, is pretty much marginal. The other is seeing exploding traffic increases. The latter is the former Berea - Wellington - Greenwich Conrail route, and has seen traffic increase immensely since the NS/CSX/Conrail break-up/merger. Because all tracks go thru town at grade level, railfanning/photo ops couldn't be easier. From I-80/I-480 southwest of Cleveland, go west on I-480 to south on OH-57. As you come into Grafton, you'll go over the CSX ex-B&O line from Medina. Then, the road will jog to the east, and you'll go over the CSX main line. Park and find a good place for photos. Plenty of food, etc., not far from the tracks. Let's give thanks to Mike Snodgrass for this nice addition to the Railfan Guide. GREENWICH (October 21, 1998) What has been a pretty busy, but relatively straightforward and interesting junction of CR, CSX and some Wheeling and Lake Erie thrown in for spice, is going to become much busier, and much, much more complicated. CSX is double tracking the ex-CR line from Cleveland (via Berea), and taking the lion's share of that traffic into the existing CSX double track mainline to Willard. A full two track connection between ex-CR Cleveland and CSX Willard is being constructed. CSX is also building a single track connection from its existing Pittsburgh-Willard mainline to the ex-CR Cleveland line. Altogether, there will be lots of trains moving on several different routes. It will be much more difficult to railfan here in the months to come, but oh, so very interesting! Sad to say, you'll probably need a scanner here. To get to this location, go north from US-224 on Kniffen Street, which will take you right to the junction. Stay alert. By the way, TRAINS had a nice "Hot spots" article with a map in the November 1997 issue. If you don't subscribe to TRAINS, I think you're missing a darned good publication. HAMILTON (December 2, 1999) Mike Moore's Hamilton railfan guide will give you lots of info and pix, but can be supplemented to our advantage by the information below. Roger Rassche and Eric Landrum have provided this information to us. A problem in Hamilton is that many of the publicly accessible areas have safety problems for the railfan. While there are several photo ops NEAR Hamilton, the actual stretch of joint CSX/NS track runs through a very run down, industrial, "no-trespassing"-type of area, for the most part. The tracks parallel US-127 north of town, but there is virtually no parking, and the scrubby underbrush between the road and railroad make photographic efforts frustrating. There is a private crossing about a mile north of downtown that goes to the sewage plant, and gives a wide open view of the east side, but some fans have been asked to leave by workers. There are also nice views of the Great Miami River bridge on the CSX Indianapolis branch just west of downtown from the riverbanks, but this line only sees 4-6 trains a day, so scanner work is essential. The B&O station where the CSX Indianapolis branch meets the mainline is about 4 blocks south of the south NS/CSX junction, and now can be considered "Fair" for safety, which is up from what would have been a "Poor" safety rating a few years ago. HOLLAND (October 25, 2001) From I-475/US-23 on the western edge of the Toledo area, take exit 8 and go west on the Airport Highway. Go past Perrysburg-Holland Road to Holloway Road and take a right to go north into Holland. At the tracks, there is a one mile long gravel parking lot, which is a favorite for fans. Adapted from a Richard Heise entry in the Greater Capital District Railfan Association pages, which are here. Used with permission. HUDSON -- FOOTBRIDGE (August 2004) This is in the southeast corner of the Cleveland metro area, and is brought to us by a long-time Frograil contributor and friend, Rob Richardson. In the center of Hudson, at the intersection of OH-303 and OH-91, go south on OH-91 and take your first left, which is Ravenna Street -- there is probably no road sign -- and go southeast for a couple of miles. The speed limit will increase to 40mph, but just before that sign, turn left onto a side street and park. Walk back across Ravenna and up the bike path. In about a quarter mile, you'll be standing on a wooden bridge over the NS tracks. There are three tracks here, the double-track main line and a long siding. To your left, there's a track curving to the right from the siding into the trees. HUDSON -- HINES HILL ROAD (August 2004) This is in the southeast corner of the Cleveland metro area, and is brought to us by a long-time Frograil contributor and friend, Rob Richardson. Hudson is an upscale address, and folks pay extra to say they're from Hudson. However, much to the displeasure, I'm sure, of some of the locals, the NS (ex-CR, exx-PC, exxx-PRR, exxxx-GOK) main line from Pittsburgh - Alliance - Cleveland happens to sail right thru the western edge of the "village". This is heavy duty railroading, not a dinky cute tourist road. From I-80, go north on OH-8 just a short ways to a right onto Hines Hill Road. Take a right, and it's only a mile or so to the crossing. Cross the tracks, and there is a small dirt pull-off for parking. This is a spot for those who like to combine railfanning with nature. The tracks run straight as far as you can see in both directions, but there are beautiful woods, birds singing, and tons of "Dames's Rocket" wild flowers blooming in late spring. HUDSON -- PROSPECT ROAD (November 2004) This is in the southeast corner of the Cleveland metro area, and is brought to us by a long-time Frograil contributor and friend, Rob Richardson. From I-80 south of Cleveland, go north on OH-8 just a short ways to a right onto Hines Hill Road. Cross the tracks and then take a right onto Prospect Road. When you come out of the woods, you'll see a small dirt turnoff. Park there and enjoy the view of westbound trains up to two miles away. You can continue on Prospect to OH-91/Darrow Road, and a right turn will take you into Hudson Village. HUDSON -- STREETSBORO STREET (August 2004) This is in the southeast corner of the Cleveland metro area, and is brought to us by a long-time Frograil contributor and friend, Rob Richardson. Hudson is an upscale address, and folks pay extra to say they're from Hudson. However, much to the displeasure of, I'm sure, some of the locals, the NS (ex-CR, exx-PC, exxx-PRR, exxxx-GOK) main line from Pittsburgh - Alliance - Cleveland happens to sail right thru the western edge of the "village". This is heavy duty railroading, not a dinky cute tourist road. From OH-8, go east on Streetsboro Street/OH-303 towards the trendy village. The first underpass will be that of the west leg of the wye, and the second that of the Cleveland - Alliance main line. Between the two underpasses, you can walk up to an office-type structure, but that is definitely not recommended, as it appears to be all railroad property. However, after the second underpass, there is a road up to an area that used to house a station. Good views can be had up here, and there are no "no trespassing" signs, but that does not explicitly determine that you are not on railroad property. Check with NS before venturing trackside anywhere in the area of the village of Hudson. You spouse will be just delighted to know that after the second underpass, you'll shortly get to OH-91. You can take a right and go under the tracks again, and a little further along, you'll come to a "quaint little town center with interesting shops" (to quote Rob). Drop her off and go back to the tracks. HURON (October 20, 1998) From the east, enter Huron on US-6. Before you cross the Huron River, you will come to River Road on your left. On your right is a very large grain elevator complex. Take the right down to the grain elevators. There are two engines here, an Alco and an ex-CN EMD unit. You can usually get pix from the gate area, and there is generally no reason to venture beyond the gate. There is a very large bulk handling industrial complex to the north east of this area, and while it is off limits, it appears to be a large railroad customer. Any business to this location, as well as the grain elevators is staged at the ex-NKP yard south of US-6. Cross US-6 and go south on River Road. Cross the NS (ex-CR, exx-PC, exxx-NYC) tracks to get to the ex-NKP yard. Switching operations are still performed here, and traffic volume is anyone's guess, but is probably not very frequent. There is access to the ex-CR tracks from several locations in the Huron area, and you're invited to explore a little. NS's ex-CR runs a boatload of trains thru here. This info courtesy of Mark Nilges, who really know his northern Ohio railfanning! IRONTON (October 22, 1998) This supplements Eric McFadden's site, which is listed above. At the foot of Park Avenue at the Ohio River is the beautiful depot, with NS's double track mainline immediately behind it. There is plenty of area here for off-railroad property shots in both morning and afternoon lighting conditions. Be alert, because some of these trains tend to scoot on thru. Bring a lawn chair and a cooler. LAKEWOOD (October 10, 1998) Lakewood is the quintessential "on-the-lake Cleveland suburb." We would probably now call it a bedroom community. Be that as it may, it's a lovely town, with big trees, wide streets, and very prosperous-looking homes abounding. It also has a rather bizarre railroad which goes right through this bedroom community, and does so probably every 2 hours, or even more frequently. There are 26 grade crossings in Lakewood (count 'em), and all of them offer photo ops of the NS (ex-N&W, exx-NKP). Pick and choose. With the advent of the Conrail takeover imminent, who knows what will happen to traffic patterns here, but one thing is for sure -- Norfolk Southern will keep this as an important Buffalo-Chicago route. Your friendly web author suspects we'll see more unit trains and drags thru here, and virtually no "hot stuff". Understandable. MACEDONIA -- CP-102 (November 25, 2001) CP-102, known under Conrail as CP-TWIN, is the location at which the Crown Industrial branch line diverges from the Alliance - Cleveland double track main. There is a Chrysler plant and yard on the branch, in Twinsburg, as well as a stone plant near the yard. From I-271 heading south, get off at OH-8, and follow the exit ramp all the way around to get onto OH-8 heading south. Take your first left onto Highland Road, and head east towards the tracks. Just after crossing the tracks, turn right into a dirt road. It is not clear whether this road is railroad property, but since it isn't clear, it's recommended that you stay near Highland, and not drive down to the actual junction at CP-102. You're east of the tracks here, and can legitimately cross them via walking on Highland, but be careful, because both the street and railroad are noisy and busy. Actually, Highland Road rather straddles the interlocking, as there is a siding north of the road, and the Crown Industrial track leaves the siding south of the road. Because of the automobile plant and the rock industry, there is significant traffic on the branch. There is a daily scheduled train set, 48K and 49K, which runs between Toledo and Twinsburg. The inbound train is a morning train, but the Toledo-bound train usually is in the dark. Rock runs are made as needed by the customer. If you have older children, you can drop them off at Fun 'n Stuff, a short distance west of the tracks on Highland. Leave them enough money for an hour or two, and then go in back of the parking lot and watch trains. The eastbound (compass south) signals are visible. Rob Richardson has been kind enough to furnish this info. You can visit his ClevelandRails website here. MACEDONIA -- FREEWAY DRIVE (November 25, 2001, updated April 2006) Macedonia, a town southeast of Cleveland, is the site of Norfolk Southern's Ford Yard and Motor Yard. These ex-Conrail, exx-PRR/NYC, facilities exist to support the Ford stamping plant in Walton Hills and the Chrysler plant in Macedonia. There are some maintenance facilities in Motor Yard. Ford Yard is small, while Motor Yard is quite a bit larger. The railroad line through the 2 yards is the very busy, double track Alliance - Cleveland main. Take exit 18 from I-271, and go east on OH-82 towards the railroad bridge. Before going under the tracks, turn left onto Freeway Drive. The road parallels I-271, and hosts various light industries. Just before it passes under I-271, there is an excellent turn-off area from which you can watch trains on the main tracks, and switching activity at the east (compass south) end of Motor Yard. A snowblower is often parked in this area. Update: North Freeway Drive used to be the epitome of the observation that roads that need fixed don't get fixed because they don't get used. A developer bought up a lot of land there, and North Freeway Drive is now drivable. Follow Freeway Drive as it bends around, and turn right on Ledge Rd. Take the first left. The road will bend some more, and run alongside Motor Yard. I usually drive a couple hundred yards after the bend so I'll be nicely visible, pull over, and park. You can get pictures looking slightly up into the yard, or you can walk back to the embankment of the I-271 bridge and climb it for a better angle. Rob Richardson has been kind enough to furnish this info. You can visit his ClevelandRails website here. MACEDONIA -- OH-82 AREA (November 25, 2001) Take exit 18 from I-271, and go east on OH-82 towards the tracks. The road will pass Freeway Drive and then go under the tracks. There are two photo locations in the area close to where OH-82 goes under the railroad (which is the double track, very busy Alliance - Cleveland main). On the south side of OH-82 is a small city park with a gazebo, picnic tables, and a nice lawn -- which runs up to the tracks. Being on the west, this is primarily an afternoon location, but it's a great place to let the kids run off some energy while you watch the big show. On the north side of OH-82 is a lumber store with a parking lot that abuts the tracks. You can't get as close here as you can in the park described above, but there are still possibilities. Ancient, unused spur tracks can still be seen, along with a ramp that was used for unloading boxcars. The owner of the lumber store has no objections to railroad photography there; just let someone know you're there, and keep children well away from the ramp. Note that this is a somewhat busy area, being close to busy OH-82, and trains can come upon you in a hurry, so stay away from the tracks and stay alert. Rob Richardson has been kind enough to furnish this info. You can visit his ClevelandRails website here. MAPLE HEIGHTS (November 8, 2001, revised April 2006) A local rail yard in was pulled up by either Conrail or Penn Central back in the 70's. It was not needed. Well, today, Norfolk Southern (ex-CR) needs the capacity badly, but not for boxcar traffic. NS has recently rebuilt the yard as a major intermodal terminal, one that complements other such new terminals in the Harrisburg and Atlanta areas. Like those latter 2 new terminals, blocks of cars are switched, and loading/unloading operations go on constantly. Luckily, Libby Road goes over the eastern end of the loading area. Besides the interesting yard activities, the Pittsburgh-Cleveland main line is also whizzing thru under Libby Road. The Libby Road bridge is a rarity: there are no annoying chain-link fences in your way! From the Broadway exit of I-480, turn left (southeast) onto Broadway. Pass the yard entrance (featuring a nice new concrete sign), and park in either the McDonald's or Burger King lot, or in the Mapletown shopping center, which will be across Libby on your right. Walk over the bridge. Rob Richardson has been kind enough to furnish this info. You can visit his ClevelandRails website here. PAINESVILLE -- CSX STATION STREET (January 2007) From OH-2 (an expressway) and Richmond Street, go south on Richmond to Prospect Street 3/10th mile and turn left to head east. After 1/2 mile, turn left onto State Street. In less than 200 feet, turn right on Station Street. This is not marked very well on the ground, and MapQuest shows it as Railroad Street. You can't miss it, as it takes you down to what were the New York Central tracks across northern Ohio. PAINESVILLE -- NS EAST WALNUT AVENUE (January 2007) From OH-2 (an expressway) and Richmond Street, go south on Richmond to end of the city park. Richmond Street changes its name here and becomes Liberty Street. Just keep going straight to Walnut Street (Note: The OH-2 freeway to Walnut Street is about a mile), and turn left on East Walnut. Go 9/10th of a mile, and a bridge should be in view. Walnut parallels the tracks, and you can make a right turn at any cross street, and the tracks are approximately 2000' south. PICKERINGTON (December, 1999) Located in the extreme southeast corner of the Columbus metropolitan area, Pickerington is on the Charleston, WV -- Columbus, OH secondary mainline. From I-70 east of Columbus, take exit 112 and OH-256 south (east). Within 5 miles or so, you'll come into this small town. Take North East Street north towards the tracks, and use your railfan nose to get to the station. The tracks here are NW-SE, so you should be able to get pix pretty much all day, depending on the train directions. RAVENNA -- LAKE STREET (October 4, 2001) From the center of Ravenna, at OH-59 and Prospect Street, go about 9 blocks west on OH-59 to North Diamond Street and go south (left). After 7 blocks or so, you'll go under the NS (ex-CR, exx-PC, exxx-PRR) main line between Alliance and Cleveland. You'll very shortly cross the CSX (ex-B&O) main line between Pittsburgh and Willard. This is the Diamond Street location, but continue south until your first left, which is Lake Street. Take this left and drive east towards the NS main line. Go over the tracks and park in the gravel parking lot. This is an excellent NS photo location. The railroad is broadly northwest/southeast in bias here, so pick your sun angles carefully. RAVENNA -- NS(CR)/CSX CROSSING (October 18, 1998) From OH-59 (Main Street), go south on Diamond to where it goes under the NS (ex-CR). Just before the underpass, Hazen Avenue is on your left. Take Hazen to Page, turn right onto Page, and park at the dead end. Now this railfan location is not for wimps -- it's for true hard core fans. I believe it to be completely legal, i.e., off railroad property, as long as you follow these instructions. Immediately in front of you, you will see a deep cut (which may have been the Erie tracks, but I'm not sure), with an obvious path going down to it, and one just as obvious going up the far side.. Take this path to the top of the other side (wear your boots today, folks). You are now at the crossing of the NS (ex-CR, exx-PC, exxx-PRR) Pittsburgh-Cleveland mainline, and the CSX (ex-B&O) Pittsburgh-Willard mainline. The problem is that they don't cross at grade: NS goes over CSX. Here's how you railfan this location: First, stay away from the NS tracks. Not only are they clearly posted "No Trespassing", but they are downright dangerous. There are lots of trains thru here, and they are fast. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO PHOTOGRAPH CSX TRAINS COMING FROM THE WEST FROM THE NS TRACKS. Second, you can stay near the top of the path up the cut and get good NS (CR) pix without walking out to or near the tracks. Third, there is a rough gravel road going down t |