Several hundred people are expected to attend a workshop next month in Columbus to discuss proposed passenger train service along what is known as the 3C corridor, from Cleveland to Columbus and Cincinnati.

Passenger service supporters are hoping to lasso in at least $250 million in federal economic stimulus money for the service, which could begin operation as soon as 2011.

"I think we've got a pretty good shot," Stu Nicholson, public information officer for the Ohio Rail Development Commission, said of the state's chances at getting the federal money.

He said the state will be asking for between $250 million and $400 million for infrastructure work and to lease the trains.

The Ohio Rail Development Commission, which supports the plan, is sponsoring the July 7 event at the Fawcett Conference Center in Columbus.

Representatives from more than 325 communities and jurisdictions located along 33 different passenger rail route alternatives along the corridor are invited to the workshop.

"It's an opportunity for them to come in so we can give them an overview of where the 3C start-up plans stand now, but also to get input from them. It's a two-way conversation. We really want to hear from them," said Nicholson. "You need to get input from your stockholders so you can refine your plan."

Once the meeting is finished, ORDC will take information gathered from the event to use as part of designing the routes.

"Once it gets up and running we don't want it to stop there. We want to be able to expand service, add more high-speed service," said Nicholson. "All of this information has a long shelf life. This is for the long term. It doesn't stop once we start the trains."

The current proposal calls for a 79 mph start-up Amtrak service and the development of high speed train service between Ohio's three largest cities that could eventually operate at 110 mph and faster.

"ORDC has spent years analyzing possible routes and gathering extensive input from citizens and agencies throughout this state," said ORDC Executive Director Matt Dietrich. "As we now move from the dream to the reality, it's important we ask these communities their thoughts on both the proposed start-up rail service and the longer-term vision: trains whisking from one destination to another at speeds of 110 mph and faster."

Amtrak is working with the rail commission and the freight railroads, who own the rail lines, to recommend a start-up route, identify station stops and to assist local communities with station area related issues.

Two studies on the proposed 3C corridor service are underway. One, by Amtrak, is a ridership and revenue study to determine which routes would be most economically feasible.

That report, which will be used as part of the application for the stimulus money, is due in August.

The second study is on the efficiency of the freight routes, some of which will be used for passenger service.

"They will take a model of all existing traffic in the corridor plus the traffic feeding in and out of the corridor and then add in passenger trains to see what that does to the model. It identifies the choke points, the bottlenecks in the system," said Nicholson. "The freight lines will also benefit from (the study) because it will increase their capacity."

The goal of both ORDC and Amtrak is to have trains rolling in the corridor in the most cost-effective and time-efficient manner possible, and to provide a starting point for more and higher performing trains while providing the infrastructure to move more freight as well, he said.

The 3C corridor was designated a national "high speed rail corridor" in 2001, enabling Ohio to compete for federal funds recently made available by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

"Hearing from the communities along the proposed rail routes will help us identify community priorities," Dietrich said. "These, in turn, will help us identify the high speed 3C route that will best meet the needs and goals of our citizens."

Gov. Ted Strickland has said he supports the 3C passenger rail plan.

Meanwhile, earlier this week the Buckeye Institute released a report recommending opposition to high-speed passenger rail service, claiming it would be too expensive for taxpayers and that most of whom would rarely or never use the service.

"For all of these reasons - high costs, tiny benefits, and interference with property rights - Ohio should not attempt to provide high-speed rail service. Instead, it should use its share of the $8 billion stimulus funds solely for incremental upgrades, such as safer grade crossings and signaling systems, that do not obligate state taxpayers to pay future operations and maintenance costs," the report noted.

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