Sandusky Branch

Starts in Columbus (maps not available - anyone have this set?) and proceeds northward to the Lake Erie docks in Sandusky. Beginning is at MP 107.5, measured from Sandusky, north of Grogan Yard, 4.7 mi. north of Columbus Union Station (all per Jim Lynch's article, which is based on 1942). The 1959 ETT cited below shows Columbus as M.P. 0. Timetable direction is northward.

This is the former Columbus, Sandusky & Hocking RR dismembered. This segment was purchased by PRR in 1902 when the former road went into receivership. The Columbus -- Shawnee, O. portion was acquired by New York Central. The entire Sandusky Branch was sold to N&W, the transfer occurring October 15, 1964, in contemplation of the PRR-NYC merger. A condition of that merger included PRR divestiture of N&W, which allowed the latter road to join with NKP, W&LE, and P&WV. Bellevue (see further below) was the obvious connection point, and a method of getting there was required.

Care is required in sequential review of these maps, as some have north to the right, others have north to the left. (The few that have north up stand out.)

Interlocking telegraph designations are from Jim Lynch's article in the spring 1984 Keystone. Mileposts are from Buckeye Region timetable #6, 1959-04-26, as well as from the article. Note that the former lists the values as "Distance from Columbus"

FIELDS, M.P. 2.1 [ETT]

NORTH FIELDS, M.P. 2.3 [ETT]

WORTHINGTON [W], M.P. 8.6 [ETT], M.P. 102.3 [Lynch]

Crossing with NYC Columbus-Cleveland (Big Four) line.

TROYTON [RY], Troyton?, O., M.P. 79.2 [Lynch]

Ref 5, Sheet 53, 1957; 1929x1059, 24K, 200 dpi

End of double track as one proceeds northward.

SOUTH MARION, South Marion, O., M.P. 68.0 [Lynch]

Ref 5, Sheet 54, 1957; 1916x1055, 23K, 200 dpi

The beginning of double track (at a spring switch) as one proceeds northward.

MARION [MA; AC for Erie, NYC, ?C&O], Marion, O., M.P. 65.9 [Lynch]

Ref 5, Sheet 55, 1957; 1955x1052, 53K, 200 dpi

The Sandusky Branch (with the Chesapeake & Ohio, ex-Hocking Valley line to Toledo closely paralleling) crosses the parallel lines of Big Four and Erie. In this area the latter 2 roads had a operating agreement wherein they operated jointly over each other's track. The tower closed in 1995-01-18 and is to be preserved along with the station, which houses a model railroad.

Lynch notes that (at least in 1942) AC was not a block station for PRR; rather, that function was performed by HARVEY.

HARVEY [HY], Harvey, O., M.P. 61.5 [Lynch]

Ref 5, Sheet 56, 1957; 1910x1055, 56K, 200 dpi

Location of what appears to be a terribly primitive interlocking machine at the northern end of double track. Note the coal chute.

COLSAN [UR], Bucyrus, O., M.P. 48.6 [Lynch]

This sheet appears to be in another [Fort Wayne District?] map.

Crossing at grade of the Sandusky Branch with the Fort Wayne main line. An NYC (T&OC; Toledo--Fostoria--Bucyrus--SE Ohio) track also crosses.

HOLMES, BENSON [?], ?, O., M.P. 48.1, 46.3 [Lynch]

Ref 5, Sheet 57, 1957; 2184x1026, 29K, 200 dpi

A siding and small yard.

CHATFIELD [CH], Chatfield, O., M.P. 37.4 [Lynch]

Ref 5, Sheet 58, 1957; 2177x1048, 42K, 200 dpi

The branch crosses the Akron, Canton & Youngstown line from Akron west to Delphos, O. The connecting track is in the southwest quadrangle. The AC&Y had considerable industrial trackage in Akron, and included a coal spur to the Seiberling (of Goodyear fame) mansion in the same city.

One controversy: was there another telephone between the #3 switch and the 4R signal, on the west (upper) side of #2 track? The original map had a dot there, too; the items that made me think this was a stray mark were: a) smaller than the other 2 dots; b) less round; c) indistinct upper left border; d) on a faint stray vertical line.

Another esoteric question: can anyone explain the lower arm on the 6L signal?

CARROTHERS [CA], Carrothers, O., M.P. 34.5 [Lynch]

Ref 5, Sheet 50, 1957; 2155x1009, 52K, 200 dpi

The primary listing for this map is for the Toledo main line; thus the low-numbered sheet. See the text description on that page.

ATTICA JCT. [C], Attica, O., M.P. 27.9

Ref 5, Sheet 59, 1957; 2187x1015, 44K, 200 dpi

Crossing of the B&O Pittsburgh--Akron--Chicago main line. The wye connection is in the northwest quadrant. Note the siding north of the crossing, which is of the same basic design as the one at Frank/Franks, which follows 7 miles hence.

FRANKS, Frank, O., M.P. 20.8 [Lynch]

Ref 5, Sheet 60, 1957; 1907x1028, 19K, 200 dpi

A passing siding. The table of contents lists it as "Franks", whereas this map lists it as "Frank".

BELLEVUE [BV], Bellevue, O., M.P. 14.9 [Lynch]

Ref 5, Sheet 61, 1957; 2157x1013, 59K, 200 dpi

A major junction of lines of the PRR (Sandusky Branch), Nickel Plate Cleveland -- Fort Wayne main line, Wheeling & Lake Erie main line (??from Brewster via ORRVILLE to Toledo, and the NYC Southern Branch, at this point parallel to W&LE along US 20. This NYC branch came off the (present) main line in Elyria. [Was this the original LS&MS main line?]

Note that the map orientation is the reverse of the preceding maps. Also, Lynch describes SOUTH BELLEVUE, which I believe to be the same location.

BAYSIDE [BA], Sandusky, O., M.P. 4.9

Ref 5, Sheet 63, 1957; 1913x1050, 28K, 200 dpi

The yard at the ore docks.

BAY JCT., Sandusky, O., M.P. 1.4

Ref 5, Sheet 62, 1957; 2164x1009, 54K, 200 dpi

The Sandusky Branch crosses the 4-track main of the New York Central (Lake Shore & Michigan Southern). The Big Four (CCC&StL) branch to Tiffin is also seen. Note the PO&D designation on the PRR trackage.

Map needs final recheck of all numbers. Notably, the sheet numbers don't match its location relative to the other interlockings.