New report discovers faster initial travel times for Ohio's 3C Rail system

A new report released by the Ohio Rail Development Commission (ORDC) shows that initial speeds for the proposed 3C Rail Corridor could be faster than first thought.  The ORDC worked with Woodside, an industry leading railroad modeling firm, to produce the report and find new travel efficiencies.

The report included a draft schedule that showed passenger trains traveling the corridor's entire length, 259 miles, in just over five hours.  The five hour travel time equates to average speeds of 50 miles-per-hour.

According to Amtrak, the initial travel speeds are some of the fastest of any recently developed system, and the third fastest since 1980.

"All statewide intercity rail systems in the United States were first introduced at lower speeds and evolved over time to higher speed service," explained Ken Prendergast, executive director of All Aboard Ohio.

Trips between Columbus and Cleveland are projected to be even faster and boast average speeds close to 60mph.  This would result in a two hour and twenty minute trip from downtown Columbus to downtown Cleveland - about the same as driving an automobile.

Project officials say that negotiations with the freight railroads are ongoing and could result in even faster speeds.  For now though, Ohioans should expect a system that has top speeds of 79mph and average speeds between 50 and 60mph.

Cincinnati's service would include three daily trains.  Based on service to a proposed Lunken Airport-area station, northbound departures would leave at 6:30am, 12:30pm, and 4pm.  Southbound arrivals would roll into town at 12:01pm, 6:01pm, and 9:31pm.

The 3C Rail Corridor is part of a larger Midwest regional rail plan that connects most major cities throughout the mega-region with one another.  Officials say that the $400 million 3C Corridor could be operational as early as 2012 and create more than 8,000 jobs.

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Writer: Randy A. Simes
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