OHCR #6325

The 6325 underwent an extensive restoration at the Ohio Central's Morgan Run Shops facility, 6325 was one of thirty-seven 6300s pulling fast, dependable freight and passenger trains from 1929 to the mid-1950s on the Grand Trunk Western Railroad. This handsome 4-8-4 belonged to the class of U-3-bs built by Alco in 1942. Built as dual service locomotives, these locomotives were the last new steam power assigned to the GTW. The U-3-b class was right at home with GTW's road profile and characteristics running almost one-quarter of a million miles between heavy repairs. 6325 could easily handle sixteen car passenger trains or eighty car hotshot freights with equal ease on the Chicago Division. Her forte was heavy passenger and fast freight service. All U-3-bs were known as good steamers and were liked by all engine crews, 6325 was no exception. On the Grand Trunk Western, she was the ultimate in modern steam power. 6325 is survived only by sister Number 6323, now on display at the Illionois Railway Museum in Union, ILL. 6323 was the very last steam locomotive owned by the GTW and was the very last steam locomotive of any type to run on GTW rails under GTW ownership, doing so on September 20, 1961.

6325 was donated to the City of Battle Creek, MI in October 1959. She was put on public display and sat idle until 1985. That year, what started out as a plan to save a grand example of the steam era, became too large a project for an ever shrinking group of people. In the beginning, they were enthusiastic and optimistic, but as time wore on the ranks of volunteers steadily became smaller and fund raising efforts became less productive. In 1992, the Michigan restoration group was notified by the Grand Trunk Railroad/CN North America's legal department that 6325 would have to be moved from it's current siding. Faced with dwindling volunteers, low money influx and no place to call home, the Greater Battle Creek Foundation was through.

In stepped Jerry J. Jacobson. He purchased the locomotive and auxiliary tender and in 1993, moved the 4-8-4 to the Ohio Central Railroad. Stored on a siding in Coshocton, OH, it wasn't until the fall of 1998 that OHCR restoration efforts began.

Click here to view restoration and operation pictures and updated info on the 6325