Berea Ohio Tower Being Demolished Soon?

wrawroacx posted:

This is Tom's dad here. It might be ugly to some, and you know who you are when you say that, but, I've been taking my son there for over 22 years. And I've been going past that tower since the 70's. It's not the question of uglyness, it's the fact the part of the history is going away. So think what you want. I will miss the tower. TOM SR.

Tom's Dad,

  My reply, and I'm sure the other less than flattering comments weren't meant in a mean spirited way, but the railroads are a BUSINESS, with a stated intent to EARN A PROFIT. I understand your desire to preserve a Treasured Memory, but for the RR, that would be a huge expense, with little if any gain to the RR.

  If you had the money, means and location to move the tower, I would not be surprised if the RR would sell you the tower for a token $1 price just to make it "Official". If you DO have the money, means and location available, then I would whole heartedly encourage you to save what is a Treasured Memory for You.

I didn't intend to be MEAN, just REALISTIC,

Doug

Swipesy posted:

The NYC (now NS) Interlocking Tower in Berea was built in 1929.  

Any way to post some photos of what that interlocking tower looked like in 1929? Personally, I find it hard to believe that the New York Central would have built such a nondescript brick building like that, back in 1929.

Ace, right on!  These were taken today (2/24/16).  Quite frankly if and when they take the Tower down it will open up the area for better picture taking.

this is really something. I don't care if they take it down. it just a part of history. just like the old geauga lake park. nothing you can do but it was   a part of history to. in aurora oh. at this time we can't fine pictures of it. I feel we should just remember it as it was and end the story   Thanks for the posts.                         Have a nice Day.       Tom Sr.     

jim pastorius posted:

Thought this thread was about the Berea tower ??  Start a Portland thread.  Thanks

Gee Jim, I guess it was your turn to get up on the wrong side of the bed this time. Maybe you should check your cornflakes as Laming suggested on the Favorite postwar thread, as well.

Jus something to think about,

Doug

There Probably a lot of nice stuff up stairs that they left behind in Switch tower Room.

Train Buff's would like to have up stairs prior to them taking down the Building.

 I see one thing on the roof, I would like to have is there the Radio Antenna up there on the Roof..

That's  the Train Communication System.

That Antenna cost a pretty Penny.

So, sad. 

Good Luck, JOHN

Wife and I frequently will pick up some chicken dinners and run out to Berea to have dinner while watching the trains.  

Will be a bit different without the tower.

Time keeps moving on.

Hot Water posted:

Swipesy posted:

The NYC (now NS) Interlocking Tower in Berea was built in 1929.  

Any way to post some photos of what that interlocking tower looked like in 1929? Personally, I find it hard to believe that the New York Central would have built such a nondescript brick building like that, back in 1929.

actually, the nyc built at least 3 identical towers in the cleveland area, berea on the west side,quaker at the west end of collinwood yard and harvard on the south east side of town.

this was the 2nd tower at berea, the first one was a wood structure on the south side of the big four,near the current station that is now a restaurant. -jim

Still up as of yesterday, there is a large excavator sitting there.

One thing is certain, if the RR wants it gone, it will be gone. For example, when word was released that the UP ( If I remember correctly ) wanted to tear down the station at Jefferson Barracks, local preservation groups mobilized to save it. When it looked like their efforts were going to succeed, someone "mysteriously" put a stolen truck through the back wall.  That was all that was needed to seal its fate.

I hate to see historical things destroyed, but Big Money gets what Big Money wants. JMO

OGR Webmaster posted:

jim pastorius posted:

I imagine if you have spent many hours inside dealing with the trains, people and problems it becomes more than an old brick building to you.  Different perspective.

So are we to preserve this eyesore just for the couple dozen people who worked in it over the years? And most of them are no longer with us.

I started the interest in railroading as a hobby in the very late 1970's..one of the first places I regularly visited was this area near the tower. Soon after ,via a scanner, I could hear the ops and traincrews converse. It was a great way to find out what was about to happen and when. Returning over the years until it closed in 1998, it definitely became more than an old brick building  to me, and maybe a few hundred other rail fans. I was privileged to spend several days in the last weeks up in the tower, including the last day it was opened.my thanks to the friendly operators that made it possible. I don't expect the building to be saved, but I'll remember it through my photos and memories...jim

Clarence Siman posted:

One thing is certain, if the RR wants it gone, it will be gone. For example, when word was released that the UP ( If I remember correctly ) wanted to tear down the station at Jefferson Barracks, local preservation groups mobilized to save it. When it looked like their efforts were going to succeed, someone "mysteriously" put a stolen truck through the back wall.  That was all that was needed to seal its fate.

I hate to see historical things destroyed, but Big Money gets what Big Money wants. JMO

Reminds me of a story a railroader friend told me of a fight between a certain railroad CEO and the government about keeping passenger service for a particular station. When the few passengers showed up one day to get on the train they found the station was a pile of rubble...

Towers are from a different era when interpersonal communication was the norm, not now. All electronic.  I have listened to towers and crews in some God-forsaken places where there weren't many human voices.  Did that for 2 hours one night on Sand Patch. It was rainy, dark and cold and the train went in to emergency  while in the tunnel. Not fun. And they had to go down the mountain to Cumberland with bad brakes.  Never forgot it.