The Genesis of Our Cincinnati Northern Railroad Story
When our club first came together in the 1960s, a pivotal question emerged: what to name our burgeoning model railroad? The Cincinnati Northern Railroad quickly rose to the top. Though defunct, it resonated with a strong “local” identity. In those early days, our layouts, while modest, began to capture a hint of the Cincinnati Northern’s spirit through the thoughtful inclusion of town names. However, the initial focus was less on strict historical adherence and more on ingeniously fitting an operating layout into the available space.
The prototype Cincinnati Northern itself traversed the flat, western Ohio territory before being absorbed by the powerful Big Four and subsequently the New York Central. Yet, we made a deliberate choice: to preserve the original name and reimagine it as a vibrant, independent railroad set in the early 1950s. This decision allowed us to explore a fascinating “what if” scenario.
Crafting Our Alternate History: An Independent Cincinnati Northern
Our unique, modified history of the Cincinnati Northern evolved over many years. As we delved deeper into the actual history and embraced a more prototypical approach to modeling, our vision sharpened. Gaining a better understanding of how the New York Central operated the line during the 1950s, combined with invaluable field trips to explore the original right-of-way and the towns along the line, truly brought our alternate reality to life. We could then vividly imagine scenarios where the Cincinnati Northern remained independent.
Consider this: the Cincinnati Northern’s north-south route cut through a predominantly agricultural region. Critically, it interchanged with major east-west railroads serving vital industrial cities. Under New York Central ownership, the Cincinnati Northern was primarily utilized for local industries and agriculture, rather than as a “bridge route” connecting major industrial hubs. By making the Cincinnati Northern independent in our model, we introduce a compelling element of competition. We depict it as a dynamic bridge line connecting Cincinnati and Jackson, and from there, extending its reach to Detroit, Chicago, and other significant centers across Northwest Ohio and all of Michigan. This creative freedom allows us to tell a richer, more engaging story on our rails.
Visiting Our Club: A New Chapter
Please note an important update regarding our club location. The Ross School District Administration has terminated our lease. As a result, we began dismantling our fixed layout on January 1, 2022, and fully evacuated the building by May 1, 2022.
While we are actively seeking a new permanent home, our club remains vibrant and continues to meet every Tuesday. Future meeting locations are being determined and will be announced as far in advance as possible.
If you’re interested in visiting our club, getting to know our members, and learning more about our exciting projects, please use the Contact Us button below to arrange an appointment. We look forward to connecting with you!