Cincinnati Union Terminal

Nice. I understand that there are at least two layouts there... The b&o traveling outside third rail layout formerly displayed at the cynergy building and the former Doug Dubay layout built by Clark Dunham Studios.

Iconic building, they should keep that graphics display going it's unique.

Agreed.  During the Christmas season 17 years ago I recall they would have a large locomotive in green and red lights that would cover the builidng. I recall seeing it from my wife’s hospital window that overlooked the city when my son was born.  I still remember that image as it had special meaning to me.  When my son was born I got back into trains.

As far as the train displays. Yes the Duke display formerly Cinergy is on display during the holidays. Duke moved the display from an iconic display downtown after they acquired the home based Cincinnati Gas & Electric and donated the trains to the museum.  Lots of memories as have been seeing that display for over 50 years myself.  I am parital to the old location given memories of it as a boy.  Their were large windows in an older builidng and you could even watch the trains from the sidewalk outside but that is all gone just like the department store windows during Christmas. The new train location has been closed for 2 years so anxious to see it again this year. The other display is the one constructed by Dunham and it is displayed all year. It even has overhead lighting simulating day into night and the city buildings and the ballpark illuminate at dusk as the overhead lighting dims. Then the lighitng changes again at dawn.

Minor clarifications to the above: the S-scale layout is the one with the Cincinnati city buildings, ballpark, etc. with lighting that simulates day and night.  It was NOT built by Dunham.  The former Doug Dubay layout (built by Dunham) was displayed during the holidays for several years but has gradually fallen into disrepair and is currently in museum storage.

I was under the impression that the Cincinnati in motion display was constructed by Dunham Studios and is listed on their website and I had discussed with them at York. It is currently not displayed only because the museum building infrastructure is being restored and will reopen in 2019 as the museum is reopening in phases.  I visited the display prior to the temporary closure of the building and it was fully functional.

http://dunhamstudios.com/publi...nati-union-terminal/

As far as the Duke holiday junction that dates back to 1946. It has reopened.  It was only closed for 2 years during the building restoration.

https://www.wcpo.com/entertain...eum-center-on-nov-17

Having lived in Cincinnati for 5 years, I have a great appreciation for Cincinnati Union Terminal.  Despite being some 85 years old, it seems fresh and new even today.

What perhaps is not recognized is that the post office building nearby and the roundhouse/coaling tower and and attendant steam locomotive servicing facilities in the vicinity of the Western Hills Viaduct were all done along with the terminal building. Perhaps even the Western Hills viaduct was done at the same time?

Yes the viaduct was built at the same time as when they built the terminal as the land bought for the terminal eliminated some of the main routes into downtown from the west side. The post office is a gem too.  The inside of that building is amazing. It was also built as a part of the project and there are tunnels between the buildings so they could ship mail by train. Express mail facilities were built as well.  The project was extensive and was more than just the train station.  The viaduct also is in desparate need of replacement and last time I was post office seemed to be some restoration work going onl To your point all of this is 85 yrs. old.

We (me, my middle and youngest sons, my nephew and my father-in-law) were fortunate to visit CUT while visiting my wife’s parents in Dayton for Thanksgiving about 9 or 10 years ago.  Saw the Cincinnati in Motion S display; the Doug Dubay layout and the various real life renderings of Lionel catalogs from the ‘50’s.  Also visited the B&O layout which at that time was still set up in the lobby of the old CG&E building.  

We were lucky enough to also visit Bill Bramlage’s layout and participate in an operating session on Bob Bartizek’s fabulous PRR layout.  All in all it was one heckuva a fun train day; one I still fondly remember!

Curt