42 replies to this topic

[CNJRoss]

WKRC-TV Cincinnati, OH 1/29/21

 

Amtrak pitches plan to add more routes in Cincinnati

 

 

CINCINNATI (WKRC) - Passenger train travel in the Tri-State could get a lot more convenient, under a new proposal by Amtrak.

 

The company's pitching a plan to expand services in Ohio with five new routes.

 

They include one between Cincinnati and Cleveland, running through Dayton and Columbus, and another from Cincinnati to Indianapolis and then Chicago.

 

Continue here.

[lunarwhite]

Here is an article with a map showing the possible corridors in Ohio. Cleveland could become quite a hub.


https://www.starbeac...29b3a357bc.html

[KevinKorell]

It sounds great, but we've been up this railroad before.  The 3-C Corridor seemed so certain that mock timetables were already circulating, showing several frequencies per day, and even some early morning or late night trains that started or ended in Columbus. The rallying cry during the campaign of a now former Ohio Governor was "That Train Is Dead", and he stuck to his word.   

 

As for Cincinnati-Indianapolis-Chicago, this would essentially be a longer version of the former Hoosier State. And we know that without state support from Indiana, that service met its unfortunate demise.  An extended version of the same thing would still need state support, and I doubt that Ohio will pay for Indiana's portion.

 

In talking about Cleveland-Pittsburgh-New York and Cleveland-Buffalo-Albany-New York, those become fairly long routes and they will need some heavy tweaking of schedules.  Cleveland-Pittsburgh-New York would essentially be an extension of the present Pennsylvanian.   On its current schedule, based on its current westbound arrival  into and eastbound departure from Pittsburgh, the calling times in Cleveland would become unfriendly to be an attractive alternative. Cleveland may be used to poor times, but if Amtrak does become willing to start new long distance trains, it does fit nicely into an overnight schedule, with an evening Cleveland eastbound departure and a morning arrival in Philadelphia and New York.  Sleepers would be needed for this. But then the argument may be raised, why not continue this train all the way to Chicago to provide a new frequency?

 

Cleveland-Buffalo-Albany-New York brings the same thoughts.  They would probably take one of the Niagara Falls trains and extend it to Cleveland, although that train would now miss Niagara Falls and only stop in Buffalo at the Depew station like the Lake Shore Limited.  Again the route almost becomes too long for a day train, so it might work well on a new overnight frequency across Northwestern Pennsylvania and Upstate New York, fitting in with an early morning New York-bound departure from Albany and a late evening New York-Albany train.

[CNJRoss]

All Aboard Ohio, 1/29/21

 

Amtrak proposes five Ohio routes

 

Amtrak representatives are making the rounds in Ohio, meeting with leaders in cities where they plan to expand services according to a blueprint the passenger rail company developed in conjunction with state and federal transportation officials. The goal, the Amtrak representatives said, is to pursue passenger rail expansion on five routes that would be initiated using 100 percent federal funds through a proposed new rail program. The five new routes are:

• Cleveland-Columbus-Dayton-Cincinnati (3C) Corridor: three daily round trips with intermediate station stops;
• Cincinnati-Indianapolis-Chicago: four daily round trips with intermediate station stops;
• Cleveland-Toledo-Detroit-Pontiac: three daily round trips with intermediate station stops, including a possible extension of Wolverine Corridor train service from Chicago;
• Cleveland-Buffalo-Albany-New York: two daily round trips with intermediate station stops;
• Cleveland-Pittsburgh-New York: one daily round trip with intermediate station stops via an extension of Keystone Corridor train service.

SNIP 

 

It’s time for Ohio — the nation’s most populous state without a passenger rail program — to finally step up. In the past, Ohio had to pay some if not all of the capital costs of starting up new passenger rail services and purchasing continued services on an annual or bi-annual basis. Yes, there was a risk of failure in that. But the pursuit of success always carries a risk of failure. If Congress and the Biden Administration approve this rail corridor development program, as they are expected to do, Ohio simply isn’t going to get a better deal than this.

 

More here.

[CNJRoss]

WBNS-TV Columbus, OH 2/3/21

 

Amtrak passenger railway could be coming to Columbus

 

The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission confirms Amtrak is looking at five different routes throughout the state of Ohio.

 

 

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A new passenger train line could be coming soon to central Ohio. The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) says Amtrak approached them last week about the project. 

 

“We haven't had a [passenger] train through Columbus since 1979... and the last time they were trains running in the 3-C corridor between Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati was 1971,” said Stu Nicholson, Executive Director of All Aboard Ohio.

 

Continue here w/video report.

 

[CNJRoss]

Journal-News, Hamilton, OH  3/6/21

 

Amtrak stop in Hamilton could help transportation in county, spark neighborhood development

 

 

If Amtrak is able to expand passenger service across Ohio and Indiana — and there are many ifs involved — that could create new development and jobs in Hamilton, Oxford and Middletown, a longtime promoter of expanded Ohio rail service says.

 

One place that could be helped is Hamilton’s impoverished Second Ward neighborhood, where members of All Aboard Ohio have identified one potential location for a train station along the route between Cincinnati and Indianapolis.

 

Continue here.

[KevinKorell]

WSYX-TV, Channel 6/Fox-28 in Columbus, OH, 5/7/21:

 

 

    Amtrak all aboard with plan to link Cleveland, Cincinnati; Crawford Co. town selected  

 

 

The last Amtrak passenger train stopped here in 1990, but Crestline officials are on board for a new rail heyday, amid promises from the service that 386,000 passengers each year could pass through and stop here. The town hung a banner across its main drag to welcome an Amtrak official who promised a stop in Crestline.

 

This story

[KevinKorell]

Crawford County Now, 5/8/21:

 

 

 

   Amtrak Rail Service could return to Crestline  

 

 

 

We could see the return of Amtrak rail service to Crestline in the next few years. Crestline could be part of the new high-speed line that will connect Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, and Cincinnati. A press conference was held Friday morning at the Crestline Village Hall.

 

That story

[KevinKorell]

WEWS-TV, ABC-5 in Cleveland, OH, 5/18/21:

 

 

    Amtrak's planned Ohio expansion seen by local leaders as big win while the state waits for details  

 

 

Local Ohio leaders met by Zoom with both the President and the CEO of Amtrak Tuesday to learn more about their plan to increase rail service to Ohio as part of an $80 billion expansion of service.

 

Update

[KevinKorell]

WCMH-TV, NBC-4 in Columbus, OH, 5/18/21:

 

 

   Amtrak seeks to connect Columbus, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Dayton starting in 2025    

 

 

Amtrak is pushing forward with a plan to create passenger rail services from Columbus by 2025. It would link Ohio’s capital city to 500 destinations around the US.

 

More