I'm planning a trip to Marion by April and was wondering who took over the ex-Conrail east/west line through the diamond.
Hi Johnny T, The line you're asking about is now CSX. Originally it was the NYC line that ran through Cleveland to Galion, Marion, Bellefointaine, Muncie and to Indy (east to west). Enjoy your visit to one of the premiere train watching spots in Ohio if not the whole country. Who knows? I just might run into you in Marion. lol Toottoot, Ed [ 12 February 2002, 18:29: Message edited by: Edtrain ]
Ed, one loss is the old tower that used to be there. I heard it's been taken down. The local club tried to save it and move it onto their property. I was invited up by an old timer on a Good Friday many years ago. How sad to see it go! I also had the pleasure of meeting JOE and he gave me a tour of the model railroad club in the station. Joe was a retired railroad man and I also saw him the following year without his Kenny Rogers white beard and didn't recognize him! Hope he is still around. Marion is a great spot! *I've seen four trains rolling by at once.........2 0r even 3 at once is common....... *A mustard colored inspection train with matching passenger car and caboose, pulled by an NS GP9 that looked like it was fresh out of the factory! * A rail grinding operation (that I wish I could have photographed at night)! *275 car coal trains on NS........... *Switching operations off the mainline that included the best scanner chatter I've heard........ *Countless trains, as many as 25 in my hours there........... *Have encountered other railfans with local knowledge of what was passing through....... *Been in the local junkyard talking to the owner(?) while watching tank cars being sliced up......... *And as mentioned a visit to the tower and station.......... *And best of all, the beautiful countryside ride along RT48 west out of Sidney, Oh until I get to Rt4 into Marion. Beautiful rolling farmland and small towns.........
Johnny T, Sounds like you're having an "affair" with Marion. Better not let your wife know about the "other" woman in your life. It may be the end of life as you know it. Just teasing. I'm sure that your wife knows about Marion. I agree about Marion. Great spot. Many years ago the E-L used to have a little yards just west of the diamonds and ran a few trains through the diamonds. Maybe someone knows about the E-L east of Marion. I'm guessing that they had trackage rights but don't know for sure. Yup, it's a wonderful place. My buddy goes to Marion as often as he can to watch trains for a couple of days. There is a motel near the tracks which makes it possible to watch/listen to trains and sleep in between the trains. My guess is that more time is spent with trains than with sleeping. L O L. toottoot, Ed
Ed! I told you not to mention Marion over the internet!!!!! Seriously, I hope this goes well because I haven't been out long a mainline since last August! I'm packin' some frozen White Castle burgers to warm up on the motor. LOL LOL LOL!
This in not the case at all. AC Tower at Marion is still alive and well. It was moved on November 26, 1999 from its original location on the north side of the tracks to its new home on the south side of the tracks on the Marion Union Station Association property. Chris Toth
WOW! Thanks! I'm really glad it was moved! I thought it had been demolished! I'll be looking forward to seeing it again!
Chris......thanks for the info about the Marion tower. Whew, what a relief. Johnny, how about some FRESH whitey cassells from cinci??? We can warm them over your manifold. JT, hang in there for just a while longer. Then you can be trackside for some real mainline action. toottoot, Ed
Ed, White Castle used to be good when I was drunk, but my stomach can't handle them anymore! I had indigestion 10 minutes after the last time I had them! THAT WAS A RECORD! Looing forward to seeing you there but the one thing we will be missing is Lady Sunshine! Does Nash know if that trackside restaurant is still there? I took my lunch once but smelling those burgers, well.......ya know I was munching out there the next time I went!
If Ed and I can pinpoint a day we'll be there, I would hope some of you could join us! Now, if Miss Sunshine was coming, Ed and I would dust off our wallets and treat her to lunch! Hmmmmmm, there might be a few coins stuck in the car seats.......
Harold, sure wish you could join us. If you can't, we'll do the next best thing and post pictures..........that is if "any" trains come by!!! We'll keep you posted. Toottoot, Ed
Johnny T, This thing is gathering momentum. We just may have to make it into a Trainboard Convention. Marion will never be the same if all of us show up in town on the very same day. Better reserve the "convention center". Isn't it located along with the model rr club in the old station?? As you say.........if there are "no trains" we can always eat White Castles and wash them down with a brew or two. lol toottoot, Ed [ 16 February 2002, 00:51: Message edited by: Edtrain ]
Well that sounds like the next best thing I have never been to Ohio... I have been all up and down the East Coast, from Canada to Florida, and as far west as Texas. Maybe one day.... (Maybe the next time I go to Pittsburgh, I'll sneak over into Ohio Harold
Ohio is my home away from home! I love Western Ohio. There are many great train watching spots! One day I want to also get down to Ed's neck of the woods in Cincy! Haven't been there since I was a really young kid. Ed also mentioned a spot in Kentucky where CSX (?) still runs down the middle of the street. He sent me pics and I think it was CSX. Sorry Ed, those White Castles make ya forgetful. Makes you want to forget that you ate them!!!!!!!!!! LOL! Ed, Marion is sounding great, but I can also travel anywhere within a day's 200 mile roundtrip...........(Marion is about 80 each way from Piqua.........)
{..} I love Western Ohio. There are many great train watching spots! One day I want to also get down to Ed's neck of the woods in Cincy! {...} Ed also mentioned a spot in Kentucky where CSX (?) still runs down the middle of the street. He sent me pics and I think it was CSX. {...} Ed, Marion is sounding great {...} Johnny, I had a rare day off today and stopped by Queensgate Yard to watch trains and have a bite of lunch with WoodyGrinder. After Woody showed, there was quite a parade of trains, most of them Norfolk Southern. (NS uses the mains through Queensgate as well as CSX.) Yup, the CSX still runs trains down the main street of LaGrange, KY. (It was the old L&N Shortline from Cincinnati to Louisville) Woody & I spent a whole day there last August. There were over a dozen trains in the space of about 7 or 8 hours. It really is strange to watch a big diesel tiptoeing down the street with cars and people all around. The trains have a speed limit of 10 mph through town. Johnny, I'm all for Marion. Haven't been up there in years. Where else can you find eight mainline diamonds within 50 yards of each other??? That's right, eight, count 'em, 8. The town seems rather proud of having at least a hundred trains in a 24 hour day. It should be tons of fun for any and all who are able to attend. See ya at Whitey Cassel er, make that White Castle. BURPP !!!! toottoot, Ed
Ed, this is too cool! But my daughter is driving me nuts while I wait for her to make up her mind as to when we can get there! She is going to Montreal first with her friends. These kids better make up their minds soon! AHHH! ((Takin' Amtrak too!!!!!!!!!!!! They will pass right by my home too on their way out of New York)! Thanks for the sites on Marion. They brought back wondeful memories of my 4 or 5 trips there! What size tee shirt do you wear? An extra large ok? LOL. Gotta present you with something from the people of New York City!
