I pulled into the parking lot and parked. Marion Union Station built in 1902 at the urging of Warren G. Harding who later became President of the United Sates. At the time he was publisher of the newspaper in Marion. Prior to the building of Marion Union Station, the town had a dilapidated passenger coach serving as a ticket station. Marion Union Station figured prominently during World War II. Troops stopped here for canteen service. In 1923, the body of President Warren G. Harding was brought through the station to be taken to his father's home for the funeral. Movie stars, including Al Jolson, came through the station during Harding's famous "Front Porch" campaign for the Presidency. A non-profit group, Marion Union Station Association, purchased the station just before the wrecking ball would have torn it down. This station once served the Erie-Lackwanna, the Hocking Valley, Columbus and Toledo; and the "Big Four". On display is an Erie "Radio" caboose, AC Tower, which used to be across the former Conrail tracks from the depot and is now directly behind the station. Today the CSX crosses itself and Norfolk Southern.
I met a local railfan who would keep me informed of any train movements during my visit then walked over to the tower and went up to the landing as this was my first visit here.
The view to the south.
The view to the east.
The view to the west. Soon I heard a horn and knew my first train to photograph in Marion was coming from the north.
Norfolk Southern 8354 East went through Marion. Now I would look around.
Views of the Marion Union Station buildings.
Erie Caboose C306 built by International Car in 1953 on display.
Tower AC.
CSX view looking north.
The CSX diamond just northwest of Marion Union Station.
CSX view looking west.
CSX view looking south.
The Erie Railroad freight house just west of Marion Union Station. I went into the station and the caretaker said I had a good twenty minutes before he had to close for a school group coming today but I did not need that long.
Views of the displays in Marion Union Station, after which I returned outside for some more train action.
Norfolk Southern 6035 East passing through Marion.
Another view of Erie caboose C306.
Two more views of the tower here.
CSX 4841 East with CSX 5406 and 8524 heading east by Marion Union Station.
A Norfolk Southern local with Norfolk Southern 5061 as power went through the complex on its way east.
Norfolk Southern 8397 South was the next train.
My final picture was of the concrete whistlepost. I thanked my new friend and returned to the car, taking US Highway 23 north.
North of Marion is the former Pennsylvania Railroad coaling tower which I took a picture of a I drove by it on US Highway 23. I exited in Carey.
The Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis (Big Four) Carey station built in 1908. I left Carey on Ohio 15 and made my next stop in Findlay for another station.
The Findlay Lake Erie & Western freight house. I drove out to Interstate 75 then went two exits north to Exit 161, and went east to my next stop of the trip.
