The Indiana and Ohio Rail System: A single case study in viability.

摘要

This dissertation examines the viability of the Indiana and Ohio Rail System, a shortline railroad in southwestern Ohio. The railroad was researched historically determining its origins, which were in former major railroads. These railroads were the New York Central; Detroit, Toledo and Ironton Railroad; Baltimore and Ohio; and the Pennsylvania Railroad. The mergers and abandonments of many major railroads in the 1970s presented the opportunity for the creation of shortline railroads, particularly in the Mideast United States. The operating lines of this railroad are not connected and are operated as subsidiaries within the Indiana and Ohio Rail System. The I&O owns the Brookville, Mason, and Blue Ash Lines and leases the remaiing lines from public entities such as the City of Greenfield, the West Central Ohio Port Authority, and the CSX Industries.;The entire system was observed and photographed, which provided a detailed overview of the entire operation. Slides depicting motive power, right of ways, bridges, freight yards, operations, and promotional passenger operations are an integral part of the dissertation. Conversations with management and operating personnel provides an insight into the comparisons and contrasts of Class I and Class III railroads.;Statistical data for the period 1990-94 was developed detailing the Indiana & Ohio Rail System's customer and shipper patterns which provide an overview of the system's viability. The Indiana & Ohio Rail System was developed primarily with federal and state assistance. Public assistance for shortline railroads currently, and for the foreseeable future, is not readily available. The future expansion of this railroad depends on private funding and/or the spinoff of under utilized lines by CSX and Conrail in southwestern Ohio. The growth of this rail system depends on the shippers located online and the ability of the I&O Rail System to meet ultimate forms of transportation.