Wednesday is here, and so is 🍂 Autumn. Trees are starting to change color in my neighborhood, and our dry Summer should make for a colorful Fall. 
I took a drive out to Cleveland, OH last week. While my main goal was to Re-visit the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, (first time in 25 years) I also went to explore some of the railroad history. 
The Tower City Center was at one time the tallest building between New York and Chicago. It was the train station serving the Nickel Plate Road and the New York Central. Possibly other railroads. Amtrak stops a few blocks away, near the Browns football stadium, and the R&R Hall of Fame. 
It was a thriving place when I visited here in 1995, taking the RTA train into the station. However, times have changed, and shopping is no longer the recreation it once was. Still, it is a beautiful structure. 
Also, a related business is the labor unions. The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers once owned the Standard Building, about 2 blocks from Tower City. It was still the union office when I was here in 1995, but was sold in 2014. It is being redeveloped into apartments, or possibly a hotel. I’m not sure if hotels are a hot property idea these days.
Another unusual rail-related business I discovered is the former WS Gilkey Company, printers of blank railroad forms. Not only did railroads hire so many people in the early 1900s, but they also kept a lot of side businesses going. 
I did take photos of trains while I was in town. The freights come rather frequently, and this lift bridge spends a lot of time going up and down. It is now the Norfolk Southern, and is the same line Amtrak uses for the Lake Shore Limiteds. This span crosses the Cuyahoga River, which still sees a bit of barge traffic. 
I spent about a half hour outside Margaritaville, in the East Flats district waiting for the RTA light rail train to pass. The pattern I noticed, is that when one train pulls in to the stop, it isn’t long before another train comes by in the opposite direction. 
The elevated rail line adds a bit of drama to the ride, and for photos.
Thus final photo is the same train as above, only rolling away from me. The Sun was rather dim due to the smoke traveling East from the forest fires in the Western states. Still, it was a great time to be outside, and revisit familiar places.
Where have you been lately? If you had a train trip, or just stopped by your local railroad yard for a few minutes, please post your pics here.
