Railroads of Southwestern Ohio

The Railroads of Southwestern Ohio

These Photos were taken in the vicinity of Troy and Sidney Ohio. They are intended to serve as a record of contemporary railroading and as reference for modeling.

This photo was taken just before Conrail was divided up between Norfolk Southern and CSX Transportation. The line, known as the Bee Line, was originally part of the C.C.C.&StL. or the Big Four. It then went from the NYC to Penn Central to Conrail and now is owned by CSX. In the background is the Sidney passenger station that was built as part of the 1923 line relocation project. Just beyond the station is a bridge, now closed to traffic, which is a great vantage point for "roofer madness" shots. The train is eastbound and will soon cross over the CSX line from Cincinnati to Toledo and then a large concrete viaduct.

Here's a view from the bridge. The station houses a model railroad club. The parking lot is where railfans gather however the vehicles in the photograph are maintenance of way trucks. CSX and/or Conrail was replacing ties on the bridge that is just down the line from the parking lot.

I caught this Office Car Special movement during the waning days of Conrail.

This is a general view of the Sidney hot spot (such as it is). Just beyond the signals is the bridge that carries the Bee Line over the Cincinnati-Toledo line. And just beyond the station is the bridge, which is my favorite vantage point for shots just like the OCS.

It should be emphasized that the ground I am standing on to take this photo is no longer accessible. Even before 9/11 both the CSX and the Sidney police had become militant in the apprehension of trespassers. For now the parking lot at the station is okay. But to venture beyond the parking lot is to risk arrest and confiscation of cameras, scanners and so forth.

Another word of warning: trains move very fast through this area. This spot is at the bottom of a long grade. Even though the trains can be seen at a distance, they are on you deceptively fast.

Photos in and around Troy, Ohio..