After seeing a BL2 pictured in a signature here it has become one of my favorite diesels. Since my layout is loosely modeled on the Cincinnati area I got out my track diagram of the Cincinnati Union Terminal and went to the Fallen Flags web site and checked the stable of the railroads that had tracks connecting to CUT. No luck. I checked PRR, C&O, B&O, N&W, and Southern and did not find one BL2 . I did learn that CUT had their own little stable of switchers but, of course, no BL2. I finally found a web page [urlhttp://exotic.railfan.net/index.htm[/url]about the BL2 and learned that C&O had owned at least one of the locomotives.
Looking at the track plans left me with two questions. There is a track labeled CNO&TP that goes off the south of the passenger terminal to Ludlow Kentucky. Can anyone tell me what railroad that was?
North and south of CUT there are 4 tracks, 2 marked westward and 2 marked eastward that are marked B&O BIG FOUR. Is “Big Four” a name for the group of 4 tracks (like Pennsylvania Turnpike)? Is it a collection of four big railroads?
Cincinnati,New Orleans and Texas Pacific.This was a Southern Railway subsidary.Cincinnati actually still owns the ROW.It was originally the Cincinnati Southern Railway.The big 4 was the New York Central.Cleveland Cincinnati Chicago and St Louis.The big 4 existed before NYC bought them I believe.The CNO&TP ran from Cincy - Chattanooga.Dont know where it went south of there.It is still a major route for NS.The Big Four is now owned by NS as well at least in the Cincy area.Hope this helps,Dan
The C&0 had 6 BL2S… Numbers 80-85.Just for fun…The Chessie had 2 BL2s…These where exWM units(black with gold pin stripe) and was used at Haggardstown as yard switchers…Both was mated with yard slugs.[8D][:D]
I did find one page that mentioned C&O had bought BL2’s. I was not able to find a photo of a C&O BL2 on the Fallen Flags web site. I hope to find at least one BL2 for my layout (N scale) and might just repaint one for my CG&P so I can show off the art deco styling of the hood. It is to bad there is no realistic way to show one in front of the Cincinnati Union Terminal, another example of art deco.
You might just indicate the BL-2 is there on trial. Grew up in sight of CUT and I can tell you they didn’t show up there. The CUT switchers were BLH’s. CUT did all the switching. Usual proceedure was for the mainline RR’s power to uncouple and run light to the roundhouse/engine service area and the passenger cars were taken to/from the coach yard by CUT power.
To add to your list of lines using CUT add L & N and NYC.
I see you show southwest Ohio as your location. You might make a trip down to CUT on a Saturday and go up to Tower A where you will find folks well versed in the history of operations at CUT.
I spent a lot of time at my Grandparents at 120 W. 14th Street is the 60’s and early70’s. I was literally in the shadow of Music Hall. I hate to say it but I did not get to CUT until about 6 years ago. I can’t think of a better place to have the NMRA convention.
Having a BL2 at CUT still would not show of the art deco styling. I was thinking today of faking a billboard with a picture of CUT on it, maybe even the styalized image they are using to promote the NMRA convention, and having a BL2 parked in front of it. Still thinking.
Wasn’t the PRR 4 track mainline called the Broadway?
Wasn’t the present Pennsylvania Turnpike (I-76) origanally going to be a railroad that William Vanderbilt wanted to construct because he didn’t want to pay the PRR? The highway sits in the railroad bed at places and uses some of the tunnels that the railroaders blasted to get throug the Allegheny’s?
You are right, I jest checked the NMRA site, the train show and convention events are at the Sabin Convention Center (recently renamed the Cinergy Convention Center for filthy lucre) I will be there the 9th.
Yes the 4 track main was the Broadway and the Turnpike was built on RR R-O-W that was never finished.
The Big Four trackage is now primarily owned by CSX with some area trackage owned by NS. The Big Four WAS the NYC through most of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois with the exception of the lines from New York to Chicago across northern Ohio and Indiana.
You can find more info and photos of and about the Big Four on the Railroads of Madison County web site at http://madisonrails.railfan.net/
bukwurm-
Check out this website www.madrivermuseum.org. It is the website of a museum in Bellevue, Ohio called the Mad River & NKP Railroad Society. About 30 miles away from my house, awesome place, good displays, has many cars & locos on display. Alot of units from NKP, as well as B&O & PRR. Worth the trip. Just get on Rt. 4 and head north.