Does anybody know what has happened to OC's steam department website? http://www.ocsteam.com. It was still an active site a few months ago with updates on the 763, etc and the recent acquisition of the OC by G&W.

Matt Helton
Bristol, VA

I have pretty much given up on the site. I haven't seen any updates since they got the 763.

When the 765 was running out of North Judson over the Memorial Day weekend, someone told me that Jerry Jacobson had a certain amount of time to get the "collection" removed to a new site. Don't know if that is correct or not. But a question, does the Ohio Central still own ANY of the locomotives? If not, then there really can't be an Ohio Central Steam Department can there?

Les

Jerry is building a roundhouse near Sugarcreek to store the steam equipment. The 1293 will be on the Byesville Scenic once again in October and I've heard rumors of her possibly going back to the Cuyahoga Scenic for a weekend of trips again. Trust me if there is any news pertaining Jerry's Steam locomotives it will be posted!

A new roundhouse being built? Great! Sure would be nice seeing some photos of the progress on the structure.

Les

Les:

Not much that's photo-worthy just yet: a LOT of grading was necessary before actual building could begin. I was there in May and the grading was being finished up. The extensive trackwork was in progress. No structures just yet, but everything's staked out. Lots of space for a world-class facility.

As for the website, I'd speculate that since JJJ doesn't own the Ohio Central anymore, it's not really the "Ohio Central" Steam Department. I'd wager a new website will surface at some point. We'll see.

Jerry's new roundhouse will be a sight to behold. Hopefully it's a sign of many good things to come.

Usual disclaimer - nothing official, just my personal observations.

This is all very interesting. Please post more when news comes available.

I received the following in an email dated 6-8-09 from a Union Steelworker who I have known for 25+ years and is a great friend of mine. He is not a railroad person, but I trust his word.

"We sent a crane today down to Sugarcreek for a guy that is re building a railroad roundhouse that he is in the process of relocating from the east coast. Sounds like the guy is made of money. We set three big beams, Approx. 60,000# each, and he said he has a lot more work coming up. One of the guys said once the building is done, the owner is going to use it to refurbish old railcars and engines."

Rob

Rob - I guess I should have read your post a little closer. "Rebuilding a railroad roundhouse that he is in the process of relocating from the east coast". If this is true, a relocation of a roundhouse puts a different slant on things. I would think that a move of a roundhouse would be extremely difficult. Anyone got any idea as to which roundhouse out east he is planning to move? And exactly how it is going to be done?

Les

I wasn't going to get into this at all. However there is some misinformation out there that needs to be corrected, and I think I know the straight story, at least as of a couple of months ago.

Jerry is building a NEW roundhouse on the Sugarcreek site. Last I heard it was between either a B&O or C&O design, I can't remember which one won out. It is supposed to be 15 stalls. The turntable he bought originally from either MN or WI was not quite big enough at 90', so he is buying the WM Hagerstown turntable (this is the "back East" part), which I believe is 115', more than adequate to turn anything he currently owns, or might acquire. My understanding is that large articulateds, like the WM Challengers, and possibly some N&W Y's used it, so it definitely can handle anything he could conceivably get.

I don't know all the design details of the roundhouse, but you can be sure he'll be able to do a major restoration or shopping on-site.