Flats Industrial Railroad
The Flats Industrial Railroad is a Class III railroad that provides short-line commercial/industrial switching service in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio, primarily with CSX Transportation and the Norfolk Southern Railway.
History
Trains have run in the Cuyahoga Valley since the 1880s. In 1880, the Valley Railway began operations, transporting coal to Cleveland, Akron, and Canton from the Tuscarawas River Valley and providing passenger service along the way. After a decade of operation, the Valley Railway became part of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. In the 20th century, competition from automobiles, trucks, and buses caused the decline of both freight and passenger service.Right-of-way ownership shifted over the years from Valley Railway to the Cleveland Terminal & Valley Railway, to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, to the Chessie System.
Today
Flats Industrial Railroad acquired its rails and right-of-way within the Flats District from former Conrail. As of 2009, the Class III Short Line railroad operates as the Flats Industrial Railroad Company. . The railroad operates on weekdays, reportedly around 7:00 to 10:00AM in the morning. At one time, they used to have a sand trans-loading business to keep themselves busy while not switching at Cleveland's Cereal Food Processors elevator. They also used to serve fatty oils and synthetic esters producer, "Werner G. Smith." They interchange with the Norfolk Southern in a yard between Fulton Road and W.41 Street in Cleveland, Ohio. The Cloggsville Line, operated by Norfolk Southern, serves that yard. Company.As recently as 2014, FIR had only two employees.
Equipment
Flats Industrial Railroad initially operated one switching locomotive, later adding a second locomotive.Locomotives
Images and media
Facilities
All locations are in Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio:| Coordinates | Name | Type | Address | Description |
| Head | Quarters | 1757 Columbus Road, 44113 | ||
| Vertical Lift | bridge | over Cuyahoga River | ||
| Locomotive | parking | 1757 Columbus Road, 44113 | model ? | |
| W | Switch | 1757 Columbus Road, 44113 | ||
| E | Switch | Carter Road, Scranton Road | ||
| EE | Switch | Carter Road, Scranton Road | ||
| EEE | Switch | Lorain-Carnegie, Scranton Road | ||
| EEEN | Switch | Carter Road, Scranton Road | ||
| EEENW | EOL | Carter Road and Old River Road | ruins to former Old River Road rail lift bridge and GCRTA W.10th tracks | |
| EEENE | EOL | Carter Road and Scranton Road | rear of Carter and Scranton Road businesses | |
| ES | Switch | Scranton Road, University Road | ||
| ESS | Switch | Scranton Road and University Road | ||
| ESSS | Switch | Scranton Road, Abbey Avenue | ||
| ESSSE | EOL | Willey Road, Train Avenue | ||
| Willey | Switch | Willey Road, Train Avenue | ||
| ESSSS | Switch | Train Avenue, West 30th. Street | ||
| ESSSSN | Switch | Train Avenue, Richner Avenue | ||
| ESSSSNS | Switch | Train Avenue and Richner Avenue | ||
| ESSSSS | Switch | Train Avenue and Richner Avenue | ||
| ESSSSSM | Switch | Train Avenue, Richner Avenue | CP Knob connection to main line | |
| WN | Switch | Fall Street and Leonard Street | ||
| WNN | Switch | Fall Street and Leonard Street | ||
| WNNN | EOL | Cuyahoga River | flour mill | |
| WNNS | EOL | Cuyahoga River | flour mill | |
| WNS | Switch | Fall Street | ||
| WNSN | EOL | Merwin Street | flour mill | |
| WNSS | EOL | Merwin Street | flour mill | |
| WS | Switch | French Street and Columbus Road | ||
| WSN | Switch | Fall Street and French Street | ||
| WSNN | EOL | Fall Street and French Street | FIR siding | |
| WSNS | EOL | Fall Street and French Street | FIR siding | |
| WSS | EOL | Fall Street and French Street | ? spare parts locomotive ? |