Sun
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Nov '09
Check out more pictures at the Ohio 2009 album.
Above is a picture of a RoadRailer train on the Norfolk Southern. The Roadrailer trains are part of a network which runs primarily on Norfolk Southern trackage. However, they do run on other railroads. It is headed for Chicago. The roadrailers probably have some LCL freight but many of the trailers are probably loaded with small autoparts. It is passing the junction with the Mad River Museum in Belluve, Ohio. During the summer of 2009 WA1NYC and I visited Ohio for some of the railroading action. We looked over the remnants of the Nickel Plate on the Norfolk Southern and the parts of B&O on the CSX. The ex-NYC lines are not quite the same, anymore. They used to be part of a complete through line to Chicago, but they are now divided between CSX and NS. We reviewed some portions of the ex New York Central mainline to Chicago west of Cleveland on now Norfolk Southern. Also, Norfolk Southern has always worked on developing Triple Crown as its’ Roadrailer service. Triple Crown often has its own unique routes which are different from the older and newer general freight patterns. The train in the first picture has trailers with destinations unavailable in the network’s earlier years. I also saw roadrailers in Illinois on the ex-Wabash line; this traffic pattern had been established for quite some time at this stage.
In this picture NS 2722
leads a coal train from southern Ohio to Lake Ontario for trans-loading to a vessel for delivery elsewhere. Norfolk Southern is a combination of lines heading in a variety of directions across Ohio. CSX obtained the west/east ex-NYC line from Buffalo, NY to Cleveland since NS already had a similar line orginally owned by the Nickel Plate. You can review a system map of the Nickel Plate at the historical society’s website. 2722 is heading north on ex-NP trackage which crosses junctions with the NS and CSX east/west tracks near Ashtabula, Ohio.
leads a coal train from southern Ohio to Lake Ontario for trans-loading to a vessel for delivery elsewhere. Norfolk Southern is a combination of lines heading in a variety of directions across Ohio. CSX obtained the west/east ex-NYC line from Buffalo, NY to Cleveland since NS already had a similar line orginally owned by the Nickel Plate. You can review a system map of the Nickel Plate at the historical society’s website. 2722 is heading north on ex-NP trackage which crosses junctions with the NS and CSX east/west tracks near Ashtabula, Ohio.
As you can see King Coal is definitely in charge here. Coal continues to provide a major source of revenue for the railroads as the railroads clearly possess the most environmental-friendly and efficient method of transporting the coal. Norfolk Southern can deliver coal from West Virginia and other locales on a relatively short-haul via the north/south line terminating in Ashtabula, OH. In the above picture, a coal train’s contents are being slowly removed and carried to a waiting coal ship.
The B&O has always run through Ohio. Little of the old B&O line through Ohio has changed through the years with CSX. 
Now, traffic goes to the ex-NYC Avon yard in Indianapolis, IN or down the ex-pennsy line to Saint Louis for interchange to Kansas City. While some routings outside of Ohio have changed, the trains still course through the B&O line of CSX. The original B&O has a rich legacy as the second common carrier railroad in North America to initiate services. It has a few choice venues with nice antique depots still remaining. The line is still being expanded as it is still a vital artery. In the picture above is the old B&O depot at North Baltimore. This is not far from the crossing
of the B&O, C&O, and Nickel Plate railroads in Fostoria, which is affectionately known by the locals as Fo City.
Now, traffic goes to the ex-NYC Avon yard in Indianapolis, IN or down the ex-pennsy line to Saint Louis for interchange to Kansas City. While some routings outside of Ohio have changed, the trains still course through the B&O line of CSX. The original B&O has a rich legacy as the second common carrier railroad in North America to initiate services. It has a few choice venues with nice antique depots still remaining. The line is still being expanded as it is still a vital artery. In the picture above is the old B&O depot at North Baltimore. This is not far from the crossing
of the B&O, C&O, and Nickel Plate railroads in Fostoria, which is affectionately known by the locals as Fo City.West of North Baltimore is another fine location at Deschler, OH of a crossing of B&O with the C&O’s north/south line which terminates in Cinncinatti, OH. This is a wonderful location with a lot of activity. You just might not see many trains west of Deschler, if they are heading south. Trains come from the west to head to Cincinatti, as well. There is a nice railfan park at this location as well. ATCSMonitor is also useful for monitoring traffic patterns on the B&O line.
Another fine location in Ohio, but a challenging location for photography is Belluve, Ohio. The Mad River museum is also worth visiting. There are some exemplary pieces on display at the museum. The museum also provides proper care for its’ static displays. It has one of the best preserved interiors for any troop sleeper in the United States. Below is another shot in Ohio of a Norfolk Southern train with mostly empty gondolas. Notice the evergreens in the shot?
N1EY
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