Ohio Passenger Service

[RoyPBower]

I am reading online that Columbus, Ohio has not had passenger train service in over 30 years. What was the name of the last train to stop there?  Also, when did the Ohio State Express cease operation? It was I believe and extension of the New York State Express originating in New York City and stopping at Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati after stops in Erie and upstate New York. Thanks! Roy

[ZephyrOverland]

The Ohio State Limited was once New York Central's premier through train from New York to Cincinnati, via Cleveland and Columbus.  In November of 1967 the name was dropped and a subsequent nameless train ran only between Cincinnati and Cleveland, connecting with NYC (and eventually PC) Chicago-New York service.  

Columbus had passenger service during the Amtrak era when the New York-Kansas City National Limited stopped there.  When that train was discontinued in 1979, Columbus became "freight only".

 

[dabug]

Roy:

ZephyrOverland is essentially correct in his response to your question.  One minor correction: the nameless train that replaced the Ohio State Limited south of Cleveland actually only ran to and from Columbus.  Arriving Columbus about mid-morning, it connected with nothing.  However, in the evening, it was scheduled out of Columbus shortly after what was left of PC's Cincinnati Limited arrived Columbus from Cincinnati.  Thus one could travel by train from Cincinnati to Cleveland with a change in Columbus, but not in the opposite direction (unless one wanted to spend about 19 or 20 hours in town until the Cincinnati Limited left for Cincinnati early the next morning.) 

Being freed from my obligation to Uncle Sam in Sept. 1969, I occasionally saw those two trains here in Columbus.  Both lasted until Amtrak, but only a hardy railfan would ride them.  The Cleveland schedule was supposed to be covered by an RDC, but more often than not consisted of a Geep or E unit and one coach (think I saw an RDC in service only once during that period.)  The Cincinnati Limited's standard consist by that time was one coach and one sleeper (normally a 10-6 car, occasionally a 4-4-2 car would be subbing, bringing a little welcome variety.)  Once in a while a baggage car would bring up the markers.  The Cincinnati Limited was combined with New York-St. Louis trains east of Columbus. 

That online story may have also advised that Ohio is talking up reinstating Cleveland-Columbus-Cincinnati rail passenger service by the end of next year.  I have a bet with another fan at church that this will not happen, while he is steadfast in his belief that it will.  I even made the bet to the effect that if it does happen, I'll buy both of us tickets to ride the new train.  Believe it or not, this is one bet I hope I lose!

dabug