Downtown Columbus is the junction for nearly every rail line traversing Columbus. This junction point is Scioto Tower, located just off West Broad Street behind Veteran's Memorial. Known as LM Cabin to CSX, Scioto is the junction/crossing of the C&O Columbus Subdivision, the NS Western Branch and the NS Dayton District. Manned until 2002, Scioto Tower (known as LM Cabin to CSX) is now remotely controlled by the CR Dispatcher in Jacksonville.
Located just 1/2 mile west is CP-139. Originally known as GN Tower, it was the crossing of the B&O Midland Subdivision with the PRR Columbus-Xenia main line. After the Penn Central and Chessie mergers, GN Tower was closed and renamed CP-Russ; remote controlled by the Penn Central dispatcher, the crossing was replaced with a connection switch allowing Chessie trains to reach the Midland. Renamed CP-139 and upgraded as part of the CSX/Conrail/NS merger, universal crossovers were added along with a connection switch to the CSX Scottslawn Subdivision; CP-139 is now the junction of the CSX Scottslawn Subdivision and the I&O Midland Subdivision with the NS Dayton District.
Nearly every train movement through downtown Columbus must travel through either Scioto, CP-139 or both, making the area a good place for train watching. CP-139 is difficult to reach, but Scioto has a parking lot beside it and is easy to reach from West Broad Street. Unfortunately, the area is heavily populated with persons of questionable character and crime has increased around the tower since it was closed; daytime is generally safe for train watching, but unless you're gathered with several other people for the purpose, night is no longer a recommended time for railfan activity around Scioto Tower. Even during daylight hours, railfans are advised to be cautious and pay attention to the surroundings.
Located one mile north of Scioto Tower is HV Cabin. Formerly Olentangy Tower, HV was the crossing of the C&O Columbus Subdivision, the PRR Columbus-Chicago main line, and the NYC (ex-Big 4) Galion-Cincinnati main line. Olentangy was gradually reduced in size and complexity over the years; the ex-NYC main was abandoned after the 1968 Penn Central merger, but the C&O and PRR lines remained busy. Olentangy Tower was closed in the early 1980s and remoted to Scioto Tower; by the late 1980s the PRR main had been downgraded and abandoned west of Hilliard, and only the CSX (ex-C&O) main remains busy today.
The Buckeye Branch is what remains of the former Pennsylvania Railroad line from Columbus to Bradford, OH and Chicago (a very, very busy railroad in it's day). The remaining portion is used today as an alternate route to Buckeye Yard and sees several trains each day.