So on one side we have a preponderance of all that is good and smart and fun while on the other side we have the four letter word that is CSX. I've seen this movie before so l know how it ends.

On 6/8/2025 at 11:43 AM, Boomerang_Brian said:

The CVSR extension is a top priority for NOACA, the county, and the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. It has also been supported by the city and other local politicians. The idea that it hasn’t got much attention is flat out wrong. The primary issue, as Ken wrote, is CSX. It is also not helpful that Bedrock still doesn’t get how beneficial it would be for them. The real thing this is demonstrating is that politicians don’t just have a magic wand they can wave. The railroads have extremely strong property rights, so we HAVE to figure out how to get CSX onboard. A pressure campaign on CSX would be useful. (The Bedrock proposed location also demonstrates that they REALLY don’t get it - if it isn’t walkable, the extension loses the vast majority of its utility.)

Seems like a strong case for a healthy dose of public-private partnership. Find out what it will take for this to be a win-win-win for everyone involved.

43 minutes ago, TMart said:

Seems like a strong case for a healthy dose of public-private partnership. Find out what it will take for this to be a win-win-win for everyone involved.

That really is what they are already trying to do. CVSR has offered to buy, upgrade, and maintain the tracks while still allowing CSX the ability to serve their customers on that line with nighttime freight service. CSX just doesn’t believe there is sufficient funding to make the extension a reality, so they are being obstinate. Also Bedrock has a huge opportunity for partnership; it’s just difficult to make people who don’t already get it, get it. Advocates are trying!

7 minutes ago, Boomerang_Brian said:

That really is what they are already trying to do. CVSR has offered to buy, upgrade, and maintain the tracks while still allowing CSX the ability to serve their customers on that line with nighttime freight service. CSX just doesn’t believe there is sufficient funding to make the extension a reality, so they are being obstinate. Also Bedrock has a huge opportunity for partnership; it’s just difficult to make people who don’t already get it, get it. Advocates are trying!

So question about the piece I bolded; what does CSX have to lose? They agree to terms with CVSR to extend to Cleveland and move to over-night operations but the funding never materializes and CVSR backs out what has CSX lost? Seems like they are passing on the opportunity for upgrade rail at literally almost no risk which is...irrational.

I can understand bedrock's rational, developing around a rail connection that may not happen could make for certain inefficiencies. Though I think it's worth the risk giving that if they back it I think odds would improve. And if they would back CVSR AND Amtrak returning to Tower City it would do more to revitalize the mall than almost anything I would think...

On 6/10/2025 at 11:22 AM, Luke_S said:

... if they would back CVSR AND Amtrak returning to Tower City it would do more to revitalize the mall than almost anything I would think...

It may be a pipe-dream, but I think it would do wonders if CUT was the hub for ALL forms of rail transportation.

44 minutes ago, TMart said:

It may be a pipe-dream, but I think it would do wonders if CUT was the hub for ALL forms of rail transportation.

Yes yes yes, I will not stop ringing that bell!

Cross-posting here for the tidbit about a potential new connection, just south of Peninsula at the former Brandywine Golf Course, presumably for kayakers.

real dumb question, but is there any way to get the scenic rail up to the Amtrak station?

I'm wondering if a lakefront stop would be better with a new multi-modal station for amtrak, rta, CVSR than one under the i-90 brodge

2 hours ago, Whipjacka said:

real dumb question, but is there any way to get the scenic rail up to the Amtrak station?

I'm wondering if a lakefront stop would be better with a new multi-modal station for amtrak, rta, CVSR than one under the i-90 brodge

You're just the latest in a long line of posters wishing for such a thing, but the experts on this board think that it is near impossible ($$$$), and it would be easier to bring Amtrak into Tower City (also not easy ($$$)).

Once upon a time it was possible. Not anymore absent megabucks. To me, if Bedrock refuses to let CVSR go any farther north than the Lorain-Carnegie bridge, then I think a CVSR-GCRTA station here makes the most sense. You could even put Amtrak in it with some $30 million to $50 million worth of trackwork plus another $50 million to $100 million for a station. Call it Tower City Lite....