Marion, Ohio

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

I’ll be visiting relatives near Marion, OH, and I plan on checking out the CSX / NS diamond there. A few questions:

  1. What radio frequencies to monitor?
  2. Any local problems or issues to look out for?
  3. About how many trains come through per day? CSX? NS?

I understand it’s a good hot spot for train watchers. Any other good locations within 75 miles of there?

Thanks for any assistance anyone can provide!! [8D]
John W.
Wisconsin

2

John W.,

I just started qualifying on the former Conrail out of Indy East towards Crestline, OH and there is plenty of rail traffic to keep you busy. There’s a really neat depot in Gallion, which is about 10 miles east, and Crestline is also home to a NS/CSX diamond.

3

Go north on US 23 might be about 80 miles but Fostoria is a hot Csx/ns crossing.Either go along columbus ave or go to the depot.lots and lots of trains.If you go to the hot spot section in this webpage you can get a map of the area.
have fun and a safe trip
stay safe
Joe

4

Fostoria OH is suppose to be good with lots of action if it is nearby. [:o)][:p][:)]

5

the best time to go there is Tuesday or Wednesday hopefully you get to go in the AC tower

kevin

6

At the Marion diamonds a model railroad club has a layout in the old depot.There is a Plymouth narrow gauge loco on display there also.The old EL yard is a tankcar M&R site and has a switcher or two. Joe G.

7

Thanks guys for the info. It gives us more to plan. One last question. What radio frequencies are used for NS & CSX in this area? Or is there so much traffic that it doesn’t really matter?

Thanks again,
John W.
Wisconsin

8

Never mind abut the radio frequencies. When I checked out the hot spot web page for Fostoria that JoeKoh mentioned, I saw that it had frequencies listed.

Thanks again.
John W. [:D]

9

John
no problem
stay safe
joe

10

I’m from Wisconsin too and Marion, OH was where my first “real” job was
out of college. I’ve been into trains my whole life but at that time (1986) I
was too busy trying to be the best software engineer and best party animal
to realize I was in ex-EL country (the EL being my favorite fallen flag). I do
know that a fair amount of former EL ROW still remains there and as long
as you don’t trespass so anyone complains you might find some nice
artifacts too if you’re into railroad “archeology”.

I’d be careful in that town in some areas, however. At least when I was in
Marion there was a pretty substantial drug problem. The people seemed
pretty nice for the most part (except my landlord) but I’d be mindful of
where you are after sundown.