PRR's/PC's Marietta Branch?

[Alco83]

This is probably a long shot but does anyone happen to have any information (including possible photos) on the latter days of this line (the line wound its way south from Cambridge, OH to Marietta, OH along the banks of the Ohio River) prior to its abandonment in 1976 by Conrail (ex-PC, exx-PRR)?  Below are a few links to more information regarding it. 

http://mountainstaterails.net/index.php?showtopic=753

http://mountainstaterails.net/index.php?showtopic=760

http://mountainstaterails.net/index.php?showtopic=760

http://forums.railfan.net/forums.cgi?board=PennCentral;action=display;num=1102243364 

Many thanks in advance for any help.  

[rogruth]

I think that branch followed the Muskingum River.

There were no railroad tracks on the Ohio side of the Ohio River between Marietta and Hannibal. 

[JonathanS]

The PRR line generally followed Duck Creek between Cambridge and Marietta.  At one time there were quite a few coal mines and brick plants along it.  Above Cambridge the line crossed several watersheds and had quite a few tunnels.  Unfortunately I moved into the area just before they started ripping up the track.  It was still owned by Penn Central when it was removed.  There was quite a ruckus locally because PC was selling the land and the farmers believed that it should simply revert to them.

[Alco83]

Guys, thanks for the help (rogruth, I believe you are thinking of the B&O line to Zanesville, also now mostly abandoned).  Indeed, I believe that was the major traffic along the line for most of its life, coal (I think that's why it was orginally even built?).  If one traveled through Marietta today you would never know railroads were ever there, it's pretty depressing. (The B&O once had a connection with the PRR in downtown Marietta at a small yard, where it crossed the Muskingum River.  They also served a Marietta Union Station jointly but I believe it was razed in the 1960s?.  In any event, the B&O seeing little traffic potentional by the '60s bailed out of town.) 

Regarding Hannibal, that line is still in place ableit I believe out-of-service at the moment.  The PRR also had plans at on time to connect Hannibal with Marietta and compete with the B&O, which served industries across the Ohio River in West Virginia along its Ohio River Subdivison but it was never built.  

Jonathan, indeed, when the PC was selling off assets in the area it was a real mess.  I can remember the land which the large shopping center built in the 1980s sits on, across from K-Mart, took years to acquire as the developers had to attain it from the bankrupt PC, which I believe originally had the land for a possible yard at one time.  While it took 10 years, the developers finally were able to obtain the property.

[JonathanS]

The PRR line between Marietta and Hannibal was partially graded and if you know where to look it is evident. First off between Kmart and the Ohio River there is a tunnel under I-77.

Above Marietta the grade crosses Ohio 7 at Thompsons landscaping.  As you continue north the ROW becomes an embankment to your left.  Don't confuse the old highway which is close, with the ROW is well back in the trees.

As you get into Reno if you make the first left immediately after crossing the Little Muskingum River and go back to The Inn at Marietta park your car and walk over to the river.  The projection out onto the river bank is the bridge pier on your side of the river.  If the brush is low you can see piers on the other side of the river as well.  Travel up Rt. 7 to the stop light in Reno and turn left.  There is a Bank on your right then another building and bordering the parking lot behind that is the ROW which dives into a substantial cut.  As you continue to travel up Ohio 7 when you get to the first curve there is a large stone culvert to your left and well above you.

Continuing up Rt 7 there are bits and pieces of the ROW, bridge piers, and culverts.  But I do not think that the ROW was completed.

[Alco83]

Indeed, I have seen many of those locations although I haven't seen the grading and cut out along Reno on the road at the red light (can't think of its name at the moment).  Also, you may be aware of the tunnel that was constructed under I-77 along the river for this line, it lies behind the Hampton Inn at the truck parking lot (a large gravel lot) behind K-Mart.  It's still in place and I snapped a few photos of it a while back and will include them here if I can find them.  When I have some time I will also try and better document these cuts, fills, and culverts. 

Anyway, below is a link to a few photos I snapped of the old branch near Marietta a few years back.  Interestingly there is still quite a bit of the ROW remaining and visible after 20+ years of the line being abandoned, ripped up, and sold back to private ownership.  

http://www.american-rails-forums.com/viewtopic.php?p=2793#2793

[tunatx]

Try terraserver: http://www.terraserver.microsoft.com/image.aspx?T=2&S=14&Z=17&X=145&Y=1367&W=2&qs=%7ccambridge%7cohio%7c

It's a 1976 topo map, so might want to save it for future reference. They seem to update every 20-30 years.

Then enlarge the maps to better see the railway right of way

You can trace the route up from Marietta to Cambridge. Having grown up in this area, it's pretty much as I recall. You'll also find some of the old B&O rightaways.

[Alco83]

Thanks for that website link, much appreciated.  Another great site to find a few historic topo maps includes this one.   At one time, Marietta had quite the spur system running through its downtown area.  For instance, the old science and math building at Marietta College, located along 7th Street was once a furniture factory and served by a spur off the main line that crossed southeast of there along the current Rt. 26/Greene Street intersection.  All of this is viewable on the topos. 

[rogruth]

No I was not thinking of the B & O.Yes the PRR ran near the Muskingum in this area.

 

The PRR along the Ohio was not extended from Powhatan to Hannibal until the early 1950's when the aluminum plant was built in that area.This extension has not been used for sometime.

 

Since I have not been to that area in some time,can you tell me if NS is using any of this branch south of Mingo Jct.? 

[Alco83]

My apologies, I thought you was referring to the Marietta Branch following the Muskingum River (which, it actually follows Duck Creek, north, the B&O line followed the Muskingum). 

Regarding the Hannibal line in Mingo Jct., I believe NS uses it at least as far south as the connection at Bellaire, Ohio to Benwood, WV with CSX (I believe the W&LE also uses this connection).   I also believe that there is talk (or perhaps work has already begun) of reactivating the segment to Hannibal since the Ormet aluminum plant reopened over a year ago.