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2002 A YEAR IN REVIEW
by Ohio Central Steam Department
The year 2002 was a very busy, yet successful year for the Ohio Central Railroad's Passenger Department. Over the Winter, 4-6-2
#1293 was given a 15-year rebuild, in conformance with the FRA's new
steam regulations. This included new tubes, flues and boiler surveys.
Several Photo Charters were operated, including a magnificent weekend
in October, which was chronicled in the December 2002 issue of
Railpace Magazine. www.railpace.com
Despite a sluggish economy, our ridership continued to grow, and we
look forward to a promising year in 2003.
Some of the highlights from 2002 include:
January – April: Completion of 15-year rebuild of 4-6-2 #1293,
two additional first class coaches placed in service.
May: Commenced operations in Sugarcreek, six day a week steam service
that operated from the first weekend in May through the last weekend
in October. See www.amishsteamtrain.com for details, and the 2003
Sugarcreek schedule.
June: Operated several sold-out mainline excursions with 4-8-4 #6325,
and ran the first public photo charter with the #6325. In addition,
#6325 was doubleheaded with the #1293 for the first time.
July – August: Operated Murder Mystery and Rail/Riverboat Cruise
Excursion, and announced the New Ohio Central Steam Website,
www.ocsteam.com
September: Several sold-out mainline excursions operated with the
#6325, and over 400 people attended an open house at the Dennison
Railroad Museum, which included cab tours of the #6325, and an
exhibit (which runs through February, 2003) which chronicles the
rebuilding of the 6325.
October: Almost 100 people attended a sold-out photo charter on a
beautiful October weekend, which highlighted the #6325 pulling a
consist of vintage freight cars, 1293 on a passenger consist, and the
introduction of the railroad's new FP9 passenger diesels,
spectacularly attired in Pennsylvania Railroad inspired paint scheme,
complete with gold pinstriping. The #6325 and FP9's also pulled
several sold-out excursions including another doubleheader with the
#1293.
November: The Ohio Central Railroad was proud to operate Ohio
Governor Taft's "Victory Express", a campaign train which
ran from Columbus to Sugarcreek using Ohio Central 4-6-2 #1293.
December: Operating in conjunction with the Dennison Railroad Museum,
the Ohio Central operated almost a dozen holiday excursions,
featuring the Polar Express trains in which thousands of children
were transported to the North Pole!
The Ohio Central Steam and Passenger Department is currently enjoyed
the Holiday Season, after a long, rewarding season, and making plans
for next year.
The 2003 operating schedule should be completed early in 2003, and we
hope to have another exciting year, with of course, some nice
surprises!
Currently, 4-6-0 #1551 is in the Railroad's Morgan Run shop,
receiving a 15-year rebuild with the goal of having her done
sometime in 2003.
Previously, we had announced, and hoped to run Winter Photo Specials,
due to a heavier than usual Winter maintenance program on the 6325,
these have been canceled. The 6325 will spend the Winter in the shop
along with the #1551, and will be ready for operations in the Spring.
As is the past, we strive to share our operations with everyone,
through our network of websites.
For some great pictures from this past year go to:
www.ocsteam.com/photos.html
For information on the daily one hour Steam operations through Amish
country go to: www.amishsteamtrain.com
For information about the Ohio Central Passenger Department go to:
www.ocsteam.com
For information on the Ohio Central Railroad System go to:
www.ohiocentral.com
The Ohio Central would like to extend a huge thanks to everyone that
has helped support our passenger program; if it weren't for your
support we would not continue to grow. Thank you!
Happy Holidays and see you trackside next year,
The Ohio Central Steam Department
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