I can't find anything on the general railroad news of Cincinnati (surprised me!)... so what the heck.

 

Got word that the Hyde Park Branch of the Norfolk Southern -- the line that currently runs from Montgomery Road at Xavier University east to the Mariemont Yard is no longer being used. The last customer was at its western terminus next to the Metro scooter shop, and that was for chemical transfers from rail to truck. It closed apparently last week and the gates -- which were usually closed and locked, stand open.

 

In Ronny's latest photo thread, the following overpass is no longer used:

Is that the Wasson right-of-way that's been slated for future light rail use?

Looks like a good route for a lightweight DMU, whose production could be moved Ohio thanks to its purchase by Ohio-led investors!

 

Is that the Wasson right-of-way that's been slated for future light rail use?

 

Most of the major north-south and east-west rail lines were at one point slated for commuter use under the Metro Moves. This would have been one of those lines, serving Oakley, Hyde Park and Mariemont.

Yeah that's the Wasson Rd. line.  The whole ROW is 4 miles long, before it rejoins active track.  It is one track throughout, and includes a single-track bridge over I-71 and four more near Red Bank Rd. 

 

It's got two good station locations, at Madison and at Paxton, before it drops through Ault Park to the four single-track bridges. I think it needs to be put in a trench for about a 1/4 mile to run under Madison  and Smith, and that station would also be in the trench.

 

I don't think Marburg or Erie (Erie more so than Marburg, but still, probably good for only 100-200 rides per day) are good station locations.  Red Bank might be a good station if a park & ride can be constructed there.  It is within walking distance of the Kellog's plant and other sundry active industries, but I doubt there would be much reverse commuting to this area.  There needs to be a park & ride here for Madisonville and Mariemont. 

 

The alternative is to build a new line between where this line hits Red Bank, parallel Red Bank north a bit less than a mile to Murray Ave., where there is an abandoned ROW-turned bike trail that travels directly into the heart of Madisonville and Mariemont.  This would be a lot of expense, though, for an extension that would likely attract no more than 1,000 daily riders.  It would also make getting to Milford a lot more complicated.   

 

 

Can someone post a map of the section that is no longer in service?

 

Disregard, I now see which line this is. The photo above (great photo BTW) was taken just northeast of the Dana Avenue interchange with I-71, correct?

Yes.

Got this in today on a BB. The Cincinnati Terminal track (the Norwood-Clare Yard line) is now removed from service, from CT (Clare) MP 8 to CT (Norwood) MP 3. An end of track sign is now visible at CT MP 8. The business that transferred liquids from tanks on railcars to trucks has relocated to the Clare yard. The Clare yard is near Mariemont.

From the cincyrails Yahoo group: The new CSX Cincinnati Dispatch Center at 3131 Spring Grove Avenue went live Saturday morning.

Can't find the Cincy Streetcar thread:

 

Anyway Cincinnati Streetcar mentioned on Treehugger:

Article and You Tube video: (sorry if the video has been posted somewhere already).

 

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2009/10/the_cincinnati_streetcar_making_the_case.php

 

 

 

That's already been posted at the Cincinnati Streetcar thread. You couldn't find it?? It's at the top (or near the top) of the Mass Transit section as it's the most posted-into thread in the transportation forum here.

 

I'll bet you keep Laura busy looking for your keys, wallet, cell phone, socks, shoes, etc etc!!  :-D

^ I resemble that remark  :lol: