Leaving For Ohio-Hoping to meet some new people

[ARandall70]

Late this evening, I will be leaving North Carolina for a week of railfanning in Ohio via Amtrak trains 98 and 29. I will be staying with a friend near Columbus, and hope to see as much as possible, from 765 to Fostoria and more.

Just wondering if there are any JREB members in the area that may want to meet one or more days for some train watching. Other than my friend, I do not know anyone else from the area.

Reply here, send me an email to , or text me at 919-971-8752

[Ed Fury]

Marion is awesome. I spent just a few hours there earlier this year and saw plenty of action on both the CSX and the NS. See if you can find out when the tower will be open and go that day. They have volunteers on certain days. If you can tour the inside of the tower and the depot it makes it three times better then just standing there watching trains. The restaurant called The Shovel was really good too. I just got a BLT sandwich for like 5 or 6 bucks and it was huge with what seemed like a pound of bacon and the french fries must have been four whole potatoes hand cut and deep fried. I could not eat everything. They have an all you can eat Walleye special that a lot of people got to eat. I think it was like $16.99 but don't quote me on that. The place was packed and I think at least three trains went by while we were inside eating. They do have an outdoor patio area on the NS side where you can eat and watch trains.

I tried to follow the NS and CSX south along hwy 23 down to Portsmith but we gave up in Piketon. Without a scanner it is impossible to find a train. And i don't know any of the good locations. I always see people talk about "the curve" in Waverly and I found that but there were no trains and I didn't know where to park.

If you have an android phone get scanner radio (free app) and listen in on the South Central Ohio feed. The Camp Chase switches in the early morning. I think they went on duty about 9:30 or so and went by my Aunt's house about 10 or 10:30 every morning. They were back and done by noon or 1ish. They are also building a casino and they had an additional switcher parked on the tracks behind there but I didn't know how to get over there.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/texas_eagle/6597172695/in/photostream

These engines are right next to a bowling alley and you can basically walk right up to them on public property.

The Hocking Valley scenic railway was neat to check out. I got to go up in the cab and if I had more time I could have taken a cab ride over to the passenger station while they were preparing the New Year's Eve train. If they are running it is worth checking out. If not the equipment might not be out or displayed?


http://www.flickr.com/photos/texas_eagle/6609223075/in/photostream/

I am sure there are other more active places your friend and you have already planned out. This is all I managed to do while I was up there visiting and just figured I could pass along the info.

The NS buckeye yard you will get run off. They patrol the entrance and yell at you for even turning around on the street.

The main CSX yard and the roundhouse are almost as bad. No good public spots and it is in a bad neighborhood.

[Badhorse79]

Mmmmmmmmmmmmmm!!! BACON.... BAAAAAAcon... Marion Rocks ... Ohio railfan central.