Headquarters Coshocton Parent organization Genesee & Wyoming | Dates of operation 1988–present Founded 1988 | |
 | ||
Reporting mark OHCR, OSRR, CUOH, MVRY, OHPA, WTRM, YARR, YB, POHC, AOR Track gauge 4 ft 8 ⁄2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge | ||
The Ohio Central Railroad System is a network of short line railroads operating in Ohio and western Pennsylvania. It is owned by Genesee & Wyoming Inc.
Contents
Headquartered in Coshocton, Ohio, the system operates 500 miles (800 km) of track divided among 10 subsidiary railroads. Most of the system's routes were divested from Class I railroads and connect industries to the Class I railroads.
The Ohio Central operates on track owned by other entities, including a line from Newark, Ohio to Mount Vernon, Ohio owned by CSX Transportation and the old Panhandle Route, owned by the State of Ohio.
Railroads in the system
Ohio Central's rail system comprises
Steam operations
As well as being a regular revenue railroad, the Ohio Central has its own steam department that operates steam locomotives for tourist trains, excursions and special events.
Steam locomotives The Ohio Central Railroad System owned and operated several steam locomotives. When Jerry Joe Jacobson sold OCRS in 2008, he maintained the ownership of the antique equipment including the collection of steam locomotives. He built a large roundhouse in Sugarcreek, Ohio, called the Age of Steam Roundhouse to house that equipment including the following:
Operational:
Awaiting restoration:
Former engines:
Acquisition by Genesee and Wyoming
On August 5, 2008, Genesee and Wyoming Inc announced an agreement to purchase the Ohio Central System for $219 million. Approval was granted by the Surface Transportation Board on December 30, 2008.