From my understanding, a way from Columbus to Pittsburgh is to head north and split at Bellevue, OH (NS) or at Marion, OH (CSX) and ride on the Indy line.
Ohio finally starts the process for new Amtrak service
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A line straight up from the south would be pretty neat to see as well @Jdub !
It would be cool if it stopped in Nashville, TN, Lexington, KY, and then up to Cincinnati, OH. That would be a neat route from JAX!
This is great news. At one time Amtrak served many cities in the state of Ohio including Canton, Lima on the old Broadway Ltd route (tracks still there) and even reached Ft Wayne in Indiana while going on to Chicago. There was talk about restoring passenger service on this line a few years back but that hasn't resulted in anything so far.
The National Ltd once served both Columbus and Dayton and took a more direct route from NYC to St Louis and Kansas City. At one time I believe there was also a connection to the SWC.
There have been many rail studies done on adding new Amtrak routes in OH but the only room I see may be on the old Broadway Ltd mainline that runs freight service. That line was and still may be double tracked much of the way.
The National Ltd once served both Columbus and Dayton and took a more direct route from NYC to St Louis and Kansas City. At one time I believe there was also a connection to the SWC.
There have been many rail studies done on adding new Amtrak routes in OH but the only room I see may be on the old Broadway Ltd mainline that runs freight service. That line was and still may be double tracked much of the way.
It looks like there is more hope for increased Amtrak service to the Ohio region.
Columbus included in $1 million Amtrak expansion funding
According to the article, it looks like "more studies" will be done (which I know, that's all we've been hearing of any other news relating to this: studies, studies, and more studies) to look further into the 3C+D (discussed in this article), so I'm not sure what headway is being made. Unless, I missed something in the article? I'm hoping to see an Amtrak train happen through Columbus sometime in my life though.
Also, from the previous post that @leccy talked about, if a Pittsburgh to Chicago route through Columbus comes to fruition, that line would probably need to be improved to accommodate passenger rail through it.
Columbus included in $1 million Amtrak expansion funding
According to the article, it looks like "more studies" will be done (which I know, that's all we've been hearing of any other news relating to this: studies, studies, and more studies) to look further into the 3C+D (discussed in this article), so I'm not sure what headway is being made. Unless, I missed something in the article? I'm hoping to see an Amtrak train happen through Columbus sometime in my life though.
Also, from the previous post that @leccy talked about, if a Pittsburgh to Chicago route through Columbus comes to fruition, that line would probably need to be improved to accommodate passenger rail through it.
It seems sometimes studies are just a way to throw a bone to pro rail folks and make it appear that something is being done without spending a lot of money and not actually accomplishing anything, plus not stepping on any NIMBY toes. I am hoping that these studies are serious and actually intended to lead to shovels in the ground. Hopefully if C3+D has already been studied then these studies can build on that and be done sooner.
Too bad that articles such as the one linked above have to go to Europe to find suitable pictures of modern rail infrastructure
Too bad that articles such as the one linked above have to go to Europe to find suitable pictures of modern rail infrastructure
George Harris
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Plenty could be found here. This is simple media ignorance. I have seen articles about freight train derailments or other issues that have pictures from random European lines stuffed in the article.Too bad that articles such as the one linked above have to go to Europe to find suitable pictures of modern rail infrastructure
jis
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Why would we expect any better from the learned gang that inevitably thinks that the Conductors steers the train. Even more so with European ones which have their throttle look like a steering wheel
Metra Electric Rider
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Little known fact, contrary to popular knowledge; Ohio is known for it's tile roofs.
Matthew H Fish
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I usually question populist sentiments about how easy things are to do. Especially with our current standards of health, safety and environmental care, study and design and review do take a little longer.
But in this case, I agree: I am wondering why this is taking so long. Especially because, as far as I know, the rights of ways and tracks already exist. There was passenger rail in Ohio 170 years ago, I don't think it should be that hard to just start the trains rolling.
It sometimes seems the studies go on in perpetuity. Establishing service on an existing Norfolk Southern freight route like the old Broadway Ltd route through Ohio and Indiana would involve rehab of the stations, adding additional signaling, a few switches and PTC. The line is double tracked some of the way so passing sidings may not be needed. Then we get back to the rolling stock required. If this is to become a reality Amtrak will need to move fast but that seldom if ever happens.
Matthew H Fish
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Somewhat off topic, but this is an example of a study phase that seems to be way too long:
https://www.soundtransit.org/system-expansion/ballard-link-extension/timeline-milestones
The planning phase for a light rail extension in Seattle is scheduled to last from 2017 to 2026---followed by design from 2026 to 2030. I am willing to believe that things are always more complicated than they seem, but I don't understand how simply planning a light rail extension under a dozen miles takes 10 years of planning, even before the design phase begins.
https://www.soundtransit.org/system-expansion/ballard-link-extension/timeline-milestones
The planning phase for a light rail extension in Seattle is scheduled to last from 2017 to 2026---followed by design from 2026 to 2030. I am willing to believe that things are always more complicated than they seem, but I don't understand how simply planning a light rail extension under a dozen miles takes 10 years of planning, even before the design phase begins.
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jis
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That is how long it takes the children of Consultants to go through private school and Ivy League College. Someone’s gotta foot the bill
I know there's a lot of work of the infrastructure to be done IF this happens after the studies are complete, such as track realignments, new track here and there, and of course stations to be built.
With all of things on the "To Do" list to be done, unfortunately action will be still a long time away. I'm glad to see that there as at least more interest and attention on this though, even though they are still at the moment "just studies."
With all of things on the "To Do" list to be done, unfortunately action will be still a long time away. I'm glad to see that there as at least more interest and attention on this though, even though they are still at the moment "just studies."
George Harris
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I have read so many of these studies over the years, I have quit doing it unless either, 1. They want me to work on a study, 2. One of the study routes hits close to home, or 3. Actual design work is started, and a completion date / start construction date is announced as part of it.
George Harris
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Actually, the grunts doing the work are paid about half the billing rate that the Consultant sends to the agency. The rest goes to "overhead" and usually a fairly minimal profit. Let your imagination go as to what is in the overhead. As to Ivy League Colleges, if any of mine has proposed such a thing, I would be inclined to shoot them to put them out of my misery. All went to various state U's frequently with a junior college in front of it, except one who went to a Catholic college because he could live with relatives cheaply. (Another surprise, since I was working overseas at the time, all potential choices required the payment of out-of-state tuition.)That is how long it takes the children of Consultants to go through private school and Ivy League College. Someone’s gotta foot the bill
All aboard Ohio has been lobbying for more train service for years. They presented many good ideas and proposals for new routes and better service. Now with federal government support new routes will result.
Info here: All Aboard Ohio
Info here: All Aboard Ohio
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west point
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6 - 7 years for service? Ridiculous.
Reviving Ohio's rail connectivity: Cincinnati to Cleveland route could boost economy
Cincinnati's channel 12 covered a story regarding the 3C+D. It's great to see this get some more media attention. Even though a long way away (and a very slim possibility of it actually happening), this was a good presentation on it.
Cincinnati's channel 12 covered a story regarding the 3C+D. It's great to see this get some more media attention. Even though a long way away (and a very slim possibility of it actually happening), this was a good presentation on it.
Will the 3C+D route come online in phases? In other words, could Amtrak connect Dayton to Cincinnati before the whole route is opened around 2030 or is this an all or nothing proposal?
west point
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6 years to get service ? Ridiculous ! Only if equipment is not available can that be a valid reason. If equipment not available, then the disorganization of Congress and Amtrak management is the cause.
I haven't seen any word of that happening in phases. If the route does come to fruition, I'm sure it will all be in one segment. It's a good idea, though. We'll have to see what happens.
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JamesWhitcombRiley
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The local governments and organizations pushed the state to ask for funds for studies. The Toledo area is cooperating with the Detroit area.
The result, December 2023:
An improvement in Ohio policy. States can submit state freight and pax rail plans to the FRA every four years (50 including DC do, some older than four years; HI does not). Ohio's is from 2019. Reed it and weep, as my teachers used to say.
The result, December 2023:
An improvement in Ohio policy. States can submit state freight and pax rail plans to the FRA every four years (50 including DC do, some older than four years; HI does not). Ohio's is from 2019. Reed it and weep, as my teachers used to say.
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