Ohio Central Update

bstjohn83 · **Joined:** Tue Jan 04, 2005 1:58 pm **Posts:** 2

I checked Ohio Central's website recently for the 2005 excursion schedule, and found that they aren't planning any public trains for 2005.

Does anyone have any additional information on this development?

nathansixchime · **Joined:** Tue Jan 25, 2005 4:03 pm **Posts:** 948

comments removed

saturated_steam · **Posted:** Thu Mar 24, 2005 3:59 pm

nathansixchime wrote:

Not to step on toes, or to say this in any official way, but I do believe that
2005 is a good year to bring the equipment, rolling stock, and locomotives up to safe and operational first class condition.

Rest assured, steam still has a home.

I'm sure other parties will chime in.

-Kelly Lynch
"nathansixchime"

Are you implying their "equipment, rolling stock and locomotives" are not "up to safe and operational first class condition"?

I don't think that is the case with the Ohio Central. I've been there and they run a first class railroad with first class equipment. To post such nonsense is irresponsible. You should be banned from this board.

If that is not what you meant then you should be more careful what you post. Try proof reading before hitting the Submit button.

Allen

Ed Fritz · **Posted:** Thu Mar 24, 2005 4:54 pm

Ok, lets go easy. I make it a point not to try to read meanings into someone's post. It is quite easy to write something that reads a whole lot differently after it's been posted than when originally drafted. I've been guilty of that, and have both rewritten posts and in a couple cases, even deleted them rather than struggle with ambiguous meanings that I didn't see when writing. I took Mr. Lynch's post to mean that he "thought" they were going to focus on mechanical work for this season. I didn't feel that there was any hidden meaning. If there is, then please bring your feelings to the moderators to visit and resolve rather than to stir up a blood feud. Also, speculation is just that, speculation and isn't fact, nor does it often reflect fact. Until someone with an official standing cares to enlighten us, we'll have struggle along with a few crumbs of knowledge we have. But as Moderator, when the speculation starts to get a bit too far afield, then we the Moderators need to trim it's wings as well. Unfortunately, the distance between speculation and denigration aren't as far apart as the two tracks of a duel track mainline.

Thanks,

Ed

nathansixchime · **Joined:** Tue Jan 25, 2005 4:03 pm **Posts:** 948

Allen,

I apologize for your interpretation.

As a volunteer and past employee, I felt compelled to supply some knowledge, because I do have some, as do others on this board who I have happily worked alongside. In saying this, I recognize others probably have different ideas, but as it was explained to me by the people who are in charge , one goal of the 2005 season is to work on the equipment, not run it.

Eric B. NJMT · **Posted:** Thu Mar 24, 2005 7:38 pm

I think that people have to stop jumping to conclusions. I see this on so many of these web sites and it is a shame. I personally think that the person that commented after Mr. Lynch was the one that was out of line and if anyone should be band from this board it is that person. Anyway. how long were you a volunteer for the Ohio Central Mr. Lynch? I myself volunteer on a railroad (well museum). I have been at it for 4 years now and Im only 16. Well Im sorry if I said anything wrong here. I just had to speak my mind.

-Eric

sc 'doc' lewis · **Posted:** Thu Mar 24, 2005 7:56 pm

In light (pun intended) of the current discussion....

Quote:

Unfortunately, the distance between speculation and denigration aren't as far apart as the two tracks of a duel track mainline.

was that duel as in "twenty paces then turn and fire"
or dual?

got me smilin'

sc 'doc' lewis

Steve Singer · **Posted:** Thu Mar 24, 2005 8:01 pm

Well I'm just happy that there are "kids" out there interested in working on steam. THAT is the most important thing that will insure the future of our interests.

Ed Fritz · **Posted:** Thu Mar 24, 2005 9:03 pm

sc 'doc' lewis wrote:

In light (pun intended) of the current discussion....

Quote:

Unfortunately, the distance between speculation and denigration aren't as far apart as the two tracks of a duel track mainline.

was that duel as in "twenty paces then turn and fire"
or dual?

got me smilin'

sc 'doc' lewis

Take your pick!

As we use to say in the Navy to start a Navy artillery bombardment, "Batteries released, ten rounds rapid continuous fire."

Ed

teqdiver · **Joined:** Tue Sep 07, 2004 8:18 pm **Posts:** 81

Hmmm, let's take it easy on Kelly. He's a good kid and he spoke the truth no matter how you took his meaning. I don't want to overstep my bounds as I am not an official spokesman, but I am at the Morgan Run shops on an almost weekly basis to help get #33 up and going. As it has been explained to me by those in charge 2005 is a "work year" on equipment. They do run a first class operation, but stuff still needs worked on. 6325 and 1293 need some work, but #33 is getting ready to roll out very soon and she will be a work of art. Also due to the need for help in transportation several of the key guys in the steam department have gone out on the road for a time to help the railroad keep up it's outstanding reputation of first class customer service. My guess is that you will see steam in action in 2005... just not in passenger service! Jason Johnson are you lurking out there? Play nice guys.

Ryan Parkevich

nathansixchime · **Joined:** Tue Jan 25, 2005 4:03 pm **Posts:** 948

Seems like this topic has stirred up trouble all over the internet!

http://www.chaski.com/cgi-bin/webbbs_food/webbbs_cfg_rfan.pl?read=11576

Echoing what another poster on another board has said, I can only guess that it's best to pick up a wrench and learn more than you already do, than to do nothing and learn nothing new.

This sort of trouble has been the pitfall of organizations in the past, hopefully we learn not to get our bibs in a twist in the future.

[/url]

Tim Botti · **Posted:** Thu Mar 24, 2005 9:42 pm

Just to echo Ryan, I don't think it's time to worry just yet. OC Steam is alive and well. There's a very large and very green locomotive being readied in Morgan Run, and when she's done she'll be a show stopper. Trust me, 33 will be an impressive piece of machinery.

As another of the new-school steam volunteer club, I ask that you try not to come down on folks so hard Mr Saturated Steam. Kelly didn't mean any harm, and while I can see where what he said could be misread, it certainly didn't warrant such an attack. As I've said before, lets keep it courteous guys, we're all friends here! :-)

pm-man · **Posted:** Fri Mar 25, 2005 2:36 pm

I just know I'm going to hate myself for saying ANYTHING on this subject, but if I don't, I'll hate myself more.

All of the commotion above is why, even though (and I think the "name-dropping" aspect is a bit out of hand here too, you guys) I too, have volunteered at the OC in the past, I very rarely post anything about my experiences there, or about the Ohio Central Steam Department period --- why?

Because when I began to volunteer there, those in charge at the time asked that we NOT post or makes comments OF ANY KIND --- for just the reasons that happened above. Just because some are no longer employed with OC, or aren't currently working in the Steam Department, doesn't mean I don't both respect and follow those words whenever I can. VOLUNTEER means just that; you are not paid to speculate, your are not PAID at all; you are there to help, not hinder through speculation, or feeding the fire of the average foamer.

It boils down to this: any one of us is there because, basically, Mr. Jacobson, and everyone else at the OC, TOLERATES us being there. If Mr. Jacobson decided to shut the department down tomorrow, sell off the engines --- that is HIS right. The right of Mr. Jacobson to do what he will with HIS engines TRUMPS your right to write about it, good or bad. OC has a railroad to run --- lest we forget the railroad's helps pay for the locos we all know and love.

Is it REALLY so hard to WAIT? As many have said, if #33 is this close to be done, can't we all just sit back and LEAVE enough ALONE?

This, while it may not be the last post I do on RYPN, It WILL be the last post I do on RYPN about a railroad and department I neither own or work for --- just feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to have helped, enjoyed and shared the commradrie of fellow people who love steam.

TJ Gaffney

nathansixchime · **Joined:** Tue Jan 25, 2005 4:03 pm **Posts:** 948

Quote:

cause when I began to volunteer there, those in charge at the time asked that we NOT post or makes comments OF ANY KIND

It's been made clear to me, after all that's been said, that this is in fact the unwritten policy, regardless, so in the future I will certainly abide by it.

I guess we should start working on what not to say when asked, not what we could say. Alas, it seems "gag orders" like this come about because people like to stir up trouble. I'll hope for an end to arrogance before I hope for an end to ignorance.

learning,
Kelly Lynch

[/quote]

Randy Hees · **Posted:** Fri Mar 25, 2005 3:27 pm

This discussion has clearly moved away from our railroad preservation towards other issues, and even a bit of name calling.

I am less worried about the OCâ€™s efforts to restrict what employees and volunteers can say in public (as a business it is their right to try to control what information their employees release) I am concerned about our gripping about it.

Can we please move on.

Randy Hees
RYPN co-moderator