Bryan, Ohio

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BRYAN, OHIO

On most days in the summer you can find me sitting at the station in Bryan, Ohio with camera in hand. Bryan is in extreme Northwest Ohio and is home to Conrail's (soon to be Norfolk Southern's) Chicago Line. The line has over 75 movements a day and is the by far the busiest line in the area. In days past the Cincinnati Northern traveled through Bryan as well, but in the early 70's it was tore out like so many other lines. The one mile section between the station at U.S. 127 to the east and State Route 34 to the west offers quite a few good photo spots. The Amtrak station is just off US 127, it offers good views to both the East and West. Across the tracks is the old NYC Depot and an old water pipe, a relic of Niagaras and Hudsons. Both of these can be worked into pictures along with the old grain elevator to the East. A track detector to the east announces all westbounds on Conrail Road Channel 1, 160.800 mHz. Eastbounds can easily sneak up on you if you are not careful, as the closest detector to the West is in Butler, over 20 miles away. The signals here are approach lit so keep an eye on them. Bryan is also the center for all locals between Toledo and Elkhart and you will always find an assortment of four axle power at the freight depot, just to the west of the station. It is never quiet long as the many businesses in the area make for quite a switching show. To the west is a great signal bridge that can easily be worked into photos of westbounds, but don't stray to far off the edge off the road as it is Conrail property.

Amtrak #49 Westbound Lake Shore Limited Just west of the station Bryan, OH However as long as you are at the station you won't be bothered, just play it safe. Two passenger trains in each direction work there way through Bryan, but only the Lake Shore Limited stops, the other the Capital Limited passes through at 79 mph. The Lake Shore calls at 9:52 AM Westbound, and 12:53 AM Eastbound. Light is great at this time of day in the summer for the eastbound, also you can get some nifty night shots with a flash thanks to the abundance of lights at the station. There is plenty of fast food joints on the south end of town and a K-Mart and Wal Mart if ya need film.

Conrail Train TOEL-7 on the old third track, taken from the east end of the station platform, Bryan, Ohio Hot Spots

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