01.30.2024

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Today’s Forecast

39º | Rainy | 50% chance of precipitation | Sunrise 7:42 a.m. | Sunset 5:47 p.m.

🛤️ Getting off track

The history of the Ohio State Limited passenger rail that connected to NYC

The Ohio State Limited making a stop in Springfield, Ohio in February 1965. | Photo via Wikicommons

It takes nearly nine hours to drive to New York City from Columbus, but in the early 1950s, two rails made this long commute every day.

This was the Ohio State Limited, a passenger rail that connected Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland to the Big Apple from 1924 until 1967. Each journey began in Cincinnati Union Terminal and ended in Grand Central Station, taking 16+ hours to cross 880+ miles.

Given the recent Amtrak headlines, we are re-riding through the rails of history to recall what happened to the Ohio State Limited.

Origin story

The Ohio State Limited was something like a Frankenstein creation, combining smaller rails from across the region to form the “Big Four Route.” It comprised Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland, Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis. These were later acquired by NYC Railroad near the 1930s, which led to the connection.

CBUStoday Ohio State Limited map — A travel map for the Ohio State Limited when it was fully operational. | Map by Mackensen/Wikicommons

Hey day

By the mid-1950s, nine NYC-bound trains were stopping in Columbus each day. This also included a luxury line, No. 15 + No. 16, which reportedly traveled between Columbus, Cincinnati, New York City, and Boston.

Don’t forget about amenities, too. Due to the long rides, the trains offered dining services, beds, and a lounge room.

CBUStoday Ohio State Limited 2 — The Ohio State Limited departing from the Dayton Union Station in September 1967. | Photo via Wikicommons

Final days

Spoiler alert: The Ohio State Limited has been defunct for decades. But how did that happen?

In 1967, NYC Railroad merged with Pennsylvania Railroads to form Penn Central Transportation. Penn Central’s new goal was short-haul services. This spelled the end for a CBUS rail to NYC, but local travels continued on despite a drastic drop in rider enthusiasm (amenities were also worsening, according to reports).

Four years later, Penn Central went bankrupt, which led to the creation of Amtrak. Amtrak, which is responsible for long-distance rail travel, ultimately ended the last of the OSL services in May 1971, which at that point had largely become one train traveling between Cincinnati and Cleveland.

Asked

Do you want to see Amtrak return to Columbus?

A. Yes.
B. No.
C. Not right now.

Let us know

Events

Tuesday, Jan. 30

Ohio State Men’s Basketball vs. Illinois | Tuesday, Jan. 30 | 7 p.m. | Schottenstein Center, 555 Borror Dr., Campus | $10-$61 | The Buckeyes play at home where they’ve only lost two games this season.
Watershed Distillery Exclusive Bourbon Tasting | Tuesday, Jan. 30 | 7-8:30 p.m. | TownHall, 792 N. High St., Short North | $30 | Sip + learn about locally distilled spirits at an Ohio-based restaurant and bar.

Wednesday, Jan. 31

The Year Project | Wednesday, Jan. 31 | 6-8:30 p.m. | 4th & Moler, 116 E. Moler St., Merion Village | $25 | Network with women to create your goals for 2024 + enjoy spa-style amenities.

Thursday, Feb. 1

Disney on Ice | Thursday, Feb. 1-Sunday, Feb. 4 | Times vary | Nationwide Arena, 200 W. Nationwide Blvd., Arena District | $15-$123 | This kid-friendly show features many popular Disney films, including “Moana,” “Frozen,” and “Coco.”

Friday, Feb. 2

TJ Miller | Friday, Feb. 2-Saturday, Feb. 3 | Times vary | Columbus Funny Bone, 145 Easton Town Ctr., Easton | $35-$45 | This stand-up comedian is also known for his role as a witty bartender in “Deadpool.”

100+ local events

Click here to have your event featured.

Trending

To quench, or not to quench?

Stanley water bottles lined up in a row in alternating colors.

The Stanley Quencher is Amazon’s No. 1 home and kitchen best seller. | Graphic by 6AM City

Ins for 2024: Portable hydration. According to Fast Company, Stanley — of the viral Stanley Quencher — made $750 million last year, and obsession with the water bottle is not slowing down.

But Stanley is not alone. Choose your ~~weapon~~ water bottle from today’s top brands:

Stanley Quencher | $45 | The internet’s favorite tumbler
Owala FreeSip | $37.99 | Patented straw design to sip upright
Owala Tumbler | $37.99 | Car cup-holder friendly
Hydro Flask Tumbler | $44.95 | Flexible straw + dishwasher safe

Shop best selling bottles

News Notes

Opening

PJ Hot Pot, a Korean barbecue restaurant, will open on Wednesday, Jan. 31 at 6100 Sawmill Rd. just outside of Linworth. The 12,000-sqft restaurant will be an “all-you-can-eat experience” where customers order items off of a menu instead of a buffet. (614now)

Travel

The Columbus Regional Airport Authority Board approved $250 million to fund the planned state-of-the-art terminal at John Glenn International Airport. The total project will cost $2 billion, and a groundbreaking is expected to be held in 2025. (NBC4)

Opening

SōW Plated, a local health-conscious eatery, announced it will open two new Columbus locations. The first is inside the Gravity building in Franklinton, and it will open in the spring. The other is in the Short North, and it plans to open this summer. (The Columbus Dispatch)

Development

The state of Ohio gave the Kroger Bakery redevelopment project a $3.5 million tax credit. Specifically, the project received a Ohio’s Transformational Mixed-Use Development Program credit, which is used for financing the start of construction of vacant buildings into mixed-use projects. (Columbus Business First)

Coming Soon

Johnson’s Real Ice Cream, a local shop for 70+ years, plans to open a new location in Canal Winchester at 20 S. High St. This location — plus the recently announced Italian Village + Grandview locations — will open in the spring. (FOX28)

Concert

Heart, the rock band known for hits like “Crazy On You,” will perform at the Scshottenstein Center on Wednesday, May 15. The group is joined by special guest Cheap Trick, known for songs like “Surrender.” Tickets go on sale Friday, Feb. 2 at 10 a.m.

Closed

Oscar’s, a Dublin-based restaurant for 30+ years, officially closed on Saturday, Jan. 27. The store owner held an auction on Monday morning, selling away dishware and other items that were once in the store. (Columbus Business First)

Home

Cold weather can mean more energy use and higher energy bills. Fortunately, there are some no- and low-cost ways to save energy and help keep your bill as low as possible. Want to know more? Duke Energy has answers to the top six most-asked questions.*

Community

🏆 And the winner is...

See the winner of our 2023 Picture of the Year contest

Witches set sail to the Scioto. | Photo submitted by reader Shannon W.

The votes are in for the CBUStoday 2023 Picture of the Year contest. Check out the finalists below, including the contest winner that you — our readers — voted for.

Winner: Witches’ Float by reader Shannon W.

Zoom in on the iconic Scioto Mile (located above) to see witches on kayaks. This picture captured the annual witches paddle down the Scioto for Halloween. It doesn’t get much more local than that and 38% of you agreed, making this the winner of our contest.

Finalist: Block O Sunsets by reader Taylor L.

The simplicity and sheer beauty of this sunset caught our eyes, partnered with the perfect localization of the Block O, letting us know we’re home in Columbus. The competition was stiff, as this earned 31% of votes.

Finalist: Rose Garden by reader Lauren L.

We love that this photo showcases children in awe of the beauty at the Columbus Park of Roses, which is a 13-acre park filled with budding roses. The adorable photo received 30% of the votes, just one percentage point away from second place.

The Buy

The Buy 1.30.24 (Affiliate + Six & Main)

Something for your kitchen from Coco Cadeaux’s collection. We’re loving: this charcuterie board cheat sheet, perfect for Super Bowl parties.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Mitch

From the editor

Happy Tuesday, CBUS. I stopped by Tous Les Jours for breakfast on Sunday, and am happy to report back with my findings. The entire menu is full of great options, ranging from blueberry and cheese danishes to croissants stuffed with whipped cream and strawberries. I will definitely be back soon.

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