Train no. 303 about to leave at tri-color signal bridge

NG501032

Train no. 303 about to leave at tri-color signal bridge

Steam Locomotive

The blue flag has been removed, the signal has been received, the board is green, the gates are going down, and the engineer is reaching for the throttle - in short, all indications are that the elephant-eared 3149 is about to whisk the seven cars of no. 303 away from the depot at Bellefontaine. This daytime train between Detroit and Cincinnati and its opposite number, train 312 northbound, were 1957 casualties of the Central's continuing campaign for reduction of passenger-train miles. Bellefontaine has been affected considerably to date by this campaign, and is due to be affected much more. No's. 473 and 472, previously pictured, came off in 1957, as did no's. 307 and 304 between Bellefontaine and Detroit, The latter trains are to be discontinued in April of 1958 between Bellefontaine and the Indiana state line; until the Indiana Public Service Commission relents, they will be run as Ansonia turns out of Indianapolis. Further yet, the road is asking for permission to take off no's, 309 and 302, the overnight trains between Detroit and Cincinnati. This would terminate all north-south service through Bellefontaine, and the future of the remainder of the east-west service is dubious indeed. Obviously, the national trend away from rail passenger service is well-advertised here.

Jeremy Taylor

Jeremy Taylor

2-1/4x3-1/4 neg

May-54

To buy a copy of this photograph; click here NG501032

4/8/2002

304

L-4b

#3149

Lima

Bellefontaine, OH

See NG501032a