Was wondering if anyone on this list was headed for the NRHS convention in Dennison, OH next week and if they were interested in a get-together Monday evening for dinner before the convention starts? If you are staying in New Philadelphia (the location of most major hotels/motels in the area), there is something like a Longhorn or Outback Steakhouse on the strip that might be suitable for a get-together. There is a rather large Potomac Chapter contingent staying at the Motel 6 nearby. I might be able to get some interest from our group, but would like to find others from elsewhere interested in meeting for dinner and discussion. I should be arriving from my parent's place near Akron Monday afternoon. Any takers? Paul

There is a Texas Roadhouse but call ahead as they can be very busy. If in the Coshocton area go to Sportzone on 3rd Street, tell them Andy sent you.

Yea and if you're lucky you'll hit it on a night that Andy is singing-quite a voice!! I understand that the only active steamer will be the 1293 on one day?
My gut is that the liability issue is a cover for Jerry. He's got his plate full to overflowing what with 4 young kids at home and as the sole shareholder of a very busy and prosperous freight railroad there's precious little time left to deal with all the headaches that come automatically with steam/pssgr. operations. That's just my guesstimate???
Ross Rowland

this definetlty doesn't sound like it will be anywhere near the event that Train Fest was a couple of years ago. I'm gonna pass.

Of a number of railroad historical society sponsored events in Ohio this summer and fall this one seemed to have the very least to do with railroad history. Sorry to miss seeing all those videotapes they are showing evenings. Probably can rent them from the library.

It won't be anything remotely close to the Trainfest event in '04 which was quite a show especially considering it was put together by a relatively small rr in a very rural locale.
Seems to me that the tepid response to the NRHS gathering has as much to do with the ticket prices as it does with the scarcity of steam? Nearly $200 to ride behind a dismal at slow speed is hardly a product that's going to "fly off the shelf!". I'd say they're fortunate to have gotten enough players to even have the event. IMHO
Ross Rowland

Given the increasing difficulty of trying to out-do the RRE with fantrips every year, the NRHS might have to consider holding future conventions that actually have a more substantive involvement with railroad history, which is presumably what some of the members thought they were getting when they joined the organization way back in the beginning of time. Excepting the banquet speaker, the flyer for the convention seems to list only four "live" program presentations in the entire week. In an organization this size, is that all they could come up with, or is it all they were willing to allow time for?

Dennison and eastern Ohio is chock full of railroad history. There is still a lot of remnants of the old dennison shops and such and many old lines to see. There are remnants of the original M&C just west of Marietta which is less than two hours drive south of Dennison, plus the panhandle itself.

And Dave, no it won't come close to what we had two years ago with Trainfestival. That's just one of those things we'll look back upon and talk about how good it was and "what could have been" in following years.

Greg

Yes Greg, Ohio has lots of railroad history.

Too bad about the NRHS.

Two items from the August issue of Trains gives the pro and con to the earlier discussions:

Page 55: "The July 18-22 National Railway Historical Society convention will be the last public passenger train operations [on the Ohio Central]"

My initial reaction: "Well, damn, another in a long series of steam Camelots. I blinked, and I missed it, and the NRHS convention ain't a fitting farewell. Unless, of course, the advertised trips turn into surprise tripleheaders or something, and that ain't bloody likely."

Pages 44-45 and foldout: Rail maps of Ohio, 1946 and 2006, showing just how much "railroad history" is in Ohio (abandoned lines, etc.).

We read news about things such as the 765 rebuild and restoration and we dream about what is to come.

Then we look back upon Trainfestival and the potential of the Ohio Central Steam Program and consider what could have been.

A sad epitaph for someone.

Yet JJ has recently been acquiring steam locomotives, and the shop is still somewhat active. I sense a hiatus rather than a demise.

dave

Dave-history may prove you right or wrong. Only one man knows the answer as of today and his initials are JJJ!
Ross Rowland

Sorry, but have to agree with Greg on this one. If you were there in '04 or before, its was something to never forget, good and bad. I really, truly, hope its does happen again, somewhere, sometime ---- but I sincerely doubt it will be at the OC. Just a few basic obs:

#3 --- Hasn't operated, probably wouldn't take a lot, but currently ain't moving.

#13 --- Cosmetically restored in '04, she could now use it again. Hasn't steamed since 1997.

#33 ---- Two years +, many hangs-ups, lots of hurt feelings; and yet I here she won't be at NRHS? Done test runs, possibly operational?

#76 --- sold to SRI

#1278 --- The loco whose rebuild would arguably mean the most in terms of redemption for many, and its "phoenix-like" rebirth would be a huge shot in the arm for steam in this country; still sits in Gettysburg paint, nothing since '95.

#1293 --- recent refresh (rebuild?); arguably one of the nicest engine's on the OC roster; nice to hear she is back on the road.

#1551 --- Once queen of the Amish trains, her rebuild was begun, but never finished due to arrival of #33, and other issues.

#2100 --- Sold to Canada --- then to the Pacific Northwest.

#6325 --- hasn't turned a wheel since Fall '04; needs bearing work and overheating issues with #3 driver. If this one never turns a wheel again under her own power --- well, it will hurt the most to me, personally. To be in a cold dead engine ready for the scrap heap as a teenager in Battle Creek, and then in her cab live at Trainfest, helping Greg hostle ---- few moments have more meaning for yours truly. Besides, if I had spent that much time an effort on rebuilding her, I'd be running the brass out of her. That's just me, though.

That's nine engines --- 2 sold, 1 (possibly 2) operating, and five stored dead, questionable return. And no roundhouse to keep them in while the wait. There has been and will be a host of other locos that JJJ/ OC might get, might not, but it won't change the basics of economics, personalities and legal issues.

Again --- my observations only, and its been quite a while since I volunteered there. However, JJJ ain't getting any younger, the OC is getting bigger and harder to maintain, and the lawsuits and the insurance are a VERY real stopper to the program. I would truly love to be proven wrong --- but the reality is, if steam does go on at the OC, many of us won't be seeing very much of it. I deeply respect what everyone there has done --- anyone who has ever worked or volunteered for them does --- but what many of us thought OC would be is definitely different from what it is now.

That said; I truly feel that years from now, SEVERAL future CMO's, Machinist's, fireman, Director's, and others in the industry etc. will look back on the effort as either a.) their start or b.) what made a dream become reality. Its has to be the closest thing to the miracle of the AFT in that respect --- except they pulled it off.

#sigh# I too, weep for what "could have been." See you in a couple weeks -- I'm off on the slow boat to Mackinac ;- )

TJG

Good post TJ. For those of use who were lucky enough to be involved with TF2004, it was then that we learned the 2006 NRHS convention was to be held in Dennison. It was exciting, coming off the fresh success of Trainfestival 2004, that we looked forward to what could happen in two years.

Fix the bearing on the 6325 and make repairs to the 1293. Perhaps complete the #33 and if possible, get 1551 back up.

On top of that, proving that Jason Johnson the Dennison Group and the OC could plan and put together such a tremendous success the next TF would definitely be able to obtain some big name corporate sponsorship. TF2006 would coincide with the 2006 NRHS convention and the hope that a lot more visiting power could also attend - 765; 261; perhaps something from the west and maybe a rare BlueBird ALCO.

But dreams as such can be crushed in an instant at the whim of people of infuence. Was it bad luck or soemthing else - we'll probably not know entirely. Who knows perhaps the #33 is haunted by an evil presence that may have followed it to Morgan Run.

Like I said, what could have been. . . . .




ps the 2100 was not owned by the OC but if you mention the CN 2-6-0 #96 you still have 9 engines - oh yea isn't there a W&LE loco in the mix someplace?