Re: (erielack) Eastern Ohio & the EL

[Mike Spinelli <sms158_@_uakron.edu>]

Hello,

Where is this article? That might have some tidbits I could use in 
putting together the Akron tour...

Converting to standard gauge took all of the improvement money they 
had, and the Erie never seemed to have the money to do grade 
elimination, at least this far west.

The grades through Akron are not very steep, and certainly not long, 
compared to the rest of the Kent (and Mahoning) Divisions. Considering 
the long 5 + mile long 1%+ grades on other parts of the Kent and 
Mahoning Divisions, they were mild. Roller coaster-like, but not as 
steep.

Now, adding in track curvature in places, that made it worse.

You had three major railroads all parallel through the city. On either 
side there were dozens of industrial sidings, yards, cuts, and the city 
built right up to the tracks. Streets crossed at a bunch of grade 
crossings and overhead bridges. There wasn't much room to work. And 
lots of connections to consider.

Finding a better route through the city, that would be tough. Or even 
going around the city, the continental divide runs through northern 
Ohio. Unless you build along Lake Erie (like the LS&MS and NKP), you're 
battling grades. The PRR mainline (about 25 miles south of Akron) is 
still a helper district today.

Going west, the Erie did choose to climb up to Wadsworth where there 
were salt and coal mines, while the B&O built a more level route 
through Easton. Their route ran through a swamp and it took years to 
get a good footing and keep the rails from sinking into the muck. Going 
east the Erie had a climb into Tallmadge, but nothing like the grade 
between their arc'ing Akron Yard to Cuyahoga Falls.

The grades through Akron were a headache, and still are to some degree. 
Looking at them I don't think there was much anybody could do with them 
though.

Mike Spinelli


Quoting Bradley Butcher <llyengalyn_@_hotmail.com>:

> I was thinking about the article on Akron and the area. And how it 
> talked about the razorback of grades in the area. My question is 
> about those grades, was/is it not possible to flatten those grades 
> out without relocating the line? Lots of fills, cuts and tunnels? I 
> would think there would be ways to make it better without relocating 
> completely out of the area like some of the "could have beens" that 
> were talked about at the end of the article.
>
> Brad Butcher
> ELHS 3900
>
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Mike Spinelli


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