ABC Railway
Encyclopedia
The Akron Barberton Cluster Railway is a Class III railroad
that operates on 73 miles (117.5 km) of track in and around Akron, Ohio
.
(ABB) which had been formed in the late 19th century. ABB owned 62 miles (99.8 km) of track in and around Akron, Ohio.
By the 1980s, ABB's traffic had fallen due to a lack of business in the tire industry in Akron. In 1991, the new Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway purchased the ABB. After the ICC
and W&LE signed an agreement and contract in 1993, W&LE made arrangements to form a new railroad in Akron using the former ABB as its basis.
In early 1994, WE created Akron Barberton Cluster Railway (ABCR) from the former ABB assets to serve the tire industry around Akron. In 1997, ABCR was granted permission to tear out 45% the former ABB "Loop" line which looped from the grade in Barberton and Firestone Park to the WE's Brittain Yard in Akron. In 1999, ABCR took the line out of service, and in 2001, they tore the line out completely with expenses paid off by parent railroad company, WE.
on CSX
's New Castle Subdivision from the yard in Akron south to Barberton, where it swings off around their headquarters area. ABCR is headquartered in a small building off a local road in Barberton, Ohio. ABCR uses the restored Erie Railroad
line from Barberton to Rittman, Ohio
.
In 2002, the railroad acquired the line to the General Electric
factory in northern Ravenna, Ohio
. ABCR has purchased trackage rights with Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
in 2006, to connect to the Canton
area.
Class III railroad
A Class III railroad, as defined by the Surface Transportation Board, is a railroad with an annual operating revenue of less than $20 million . The term only applies to United States railroads, but is sometimes applied to other countries...
that operates on 73 miles (117.5 km) of track in and around Akron, Ohio
Akron, Ohio
Akron , is the fifth largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Summit County. It is located in the Great Lakes region approximately south of Lake Erie along the Little Cuyahoga River. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 199,110. The Akron Metropolitan...
.
History
ABC Railway's beginnings trace back to the organization of the Akron and Barberton Belt RailroadAkron and Barberton Belt Railroad
The Akron and Barberton Belt Railroad was a switching railroad that was built to serve various industries around cities of Barberton and Akron in Ohio. The main purpose was to switch chemical cars for Pittsburgh Plate Glass, Babcox and Wilcox Companies as well as O.C. Barber's match works, all in...
(ABB) which had been formed in the late 19th century. ABB owned 62 miles (99.8 km) of track in and around Akron, Ohio.
By the 1980s, ABB's traffic had fallen due to a lack of business in the tire industry in Akron. In 1991, the new Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway purchased the ABB. After the ICC
Interstate Commerce Commission
The Interstate Commerce Commission was a regulatory body in the United States created by the Interstate Commerce Act of 1887. The agency's original purpose was to regulate railroads to ensure fair rates, to eliminate rate discrimination, and to regulate other aspects of common carriers, including...
and W&LE signed an agreement and contract in 1993, W&LE made arrangements to form a new railroad in Akron using the former ABB as its basis.
In early 1994, WE created Akron Barberton Cluster Railway (ABCR) from the former ABB assets to serve the tire industry around Akron. In 1997, ABCR was granted permission to tear out 45% the former ABB "Loop" line which looped from the grade in Barberton and Firestone Park to the WE's Brittain Yard in Akron. In 1999, ABCR took the line out of service, and in 2001, they tore the line out completely with expenses paid off by parent railroad company, WE.
Current system
ABCR has trackage rightsTrackage rights
Trackage rights , running rights or running powers is an agreement whereby a railway company has the right to run its trains on tracks owned by another railway company....
on CSX
CSX Transportation
CSX Transportation operates a Class I railroad in the United States known as the CSX Railroad. It is the main subsidiary of the CSX Corporation. The company is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, and owns approximately 21,000 route miles...
's New Castle Subdivision from the yard in Akron south to Barberton, where it swings off around their headquarters area. ABCR is headquartered in a small building off a local road in Barberton, Ohio. ABCR uses the restored Erie Railroad
Erie Railroad
The Erie Railroad was a railroad that operated in New York State, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, originally connecting New York City with Lake Erie...
line from Barberton to Rittman, Ohio
Rittman, Ohio
Rittman is a city in Medina and Wayne Counties in the U.S. state of Ohio. The city is in Wayne County, although a small portion of the city is located in Medina County. The population was 6,314 at the 2000 census...
.
In 2002, the railroad acquired the line to the General Electric
General Electric
General Electric Company , or GE, is an American multinational conglomerate corporation incorporated in Schenectady, New York and headquartered in Fairfield, Connecticut, United States...
factory in northern Ravenna, Ohio
Ravenna, Ohio
* Chris Bangle; automobile designer* Bill Bower, last surviving pilot of the Doolittle Raid* David D. Busch; best-selling author* William Rufus Day; U.S. Supreme Court justice* Calvin Hampton; Classical organist* Robert B...
. ABCR has purchased trackage rights with Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad
Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad is a Class III railroad and steam-powered excursion trips through Peninsula, Ohio in the Cuyahoga Valley, primarily through the scenic Cuyahoga Valley National Park.-History:...
in 2006, to connect to the Canton
Canton, Ohio
Canton is the county seat of Stark County in northeastern Ohio, approximately south of Akron and south of Cleveland.The City of Caton is the largest incorporated area within the Canton-Massillon Metropolitan Statistical Area...
area.