Starting this May, link here:

http://ageofsteamroundhouse.com/index.p ... Itemid=159

Glad to hear this, might push me to plan a road trip for later this summer.

The most important thing about the recent Age of Steam Roundhouse public tours announcement that was not mentioned in this RYPN post is that people will no longer have to be part of a pre-established group to take a tour at AoSRH. Individuals may now purchase tickets for those dates and times when they want to journey to Sugarcreek, Ohio, and visit the roundhouse and shop facilities.

Our long-desired, new, computerized ticketing system will automatically assemble tour groups on the requested dates and times from the individual ticket purchases as they are received. All you have to do is visit the AoSRH website, click onto the section about TOURS, look at the available dates and times, make a selection and purchase your tickets. Viola! You are all set!

For public safety and other considerations, all tours will still be conducted in groups of 30 to 40 people, with narration supplied by informative and entertaining roundhouse tour guides. Because of OSHA and local fire code restrictions, people cannot roam around the facilities on their own, and must remain with their tour groups. There will still be plenty of opportunities for non-commercial, private-use photography both inside and outside of the roundhouse and shop buildings. (We had to limit--but not ban--photography during our first few years of giving tours because of ongoing construction, but construction has been completed and our visitors' cameras have been clicking-away for several years.)

The Age of Steam Roundhouse has been working very hard to make the change-over from privately-owned collection to a tax-exempt operating foundation. That task was completed this past autumn, and we are now on our own to set our own course. Our heartfelt thanks go out to Jerry and Laura Jacobson for their vision and generosity in constructing this beautiful shrine to steam for everyone to enjoy. Our new ticketing system will make it easier for more people to enjoy the AoSRH.

Select a date and time, purchase your on-line tickets, and come visit the Age of Steam Roundhouse from May 4 through October 26, 2019. You'll love it. Be safe.

John B.

John B. Corns
Age of Steam Roundhouse
213 Smokey Lane Road SW
Sugarcreek, OH 44681

Are the tours accessible by someone in a wheel/transport chair?

"Are the tours accessible by someone in a wheel/transport chair?"

Absolutely. Age of Steam Roundhouse tours cover a walking distance of about 1/3-mile, and take place on concrete, asphalt, wood timbers and hard-packed grit surfaces. When I was losing my ability to walk more than 200 feet at a time, I used a wheeled transport chair so that I could give up to three walking tours in a day. Now that I can walk about only 50 feet at a time, I use an ancient, 3-wheeled, battery-powered Cushman cart to give up to three tours in a day. There are a surprising number of Cushman cart fans who take tours at the Age of Steam Roundhouse, and all of them want to make photos of this old green machine in addition to our black steamers. So, come on down and have a great time taking one of our escorted and narrated roundhouse tours. Be safe.

John B. Corns
Age of Steam Roundhouse
Sugarcreek,Ohio

Congratulations to the AOS team on making it possible for individuals to be able to enjoy this magnificent tabernacle to steam.

I know for sure that Jerry is smiling knowing that more folks will get the chance to see his vision and learn about the huge role the steam locomotive played in the growth of America.

I strongly suggest that every steam lover put a visit to AOS at the very top of their bucket list.

Ross Rowland

As John B has mentioned, yes. I can walk unaided for fair distances now after a lot of back rehab, but took my Rollator on our tour last summer because it amounts to a portable chair and standing for long periods is still difficult for me. I’d advise anyone whose legs or back are less than perfect to do the same. There’s a whole lot to see at AOSR and you won’t want to miss any of it.

Here is a photo showing the timbers and compacted earth located between the tracks at the front of the Age of Steam Roundhouse, and a wheelchair-bound tour-taker enjoying his visit to our facility. All other surfaces encountered during one of our tours consist of poured concrete or rolled asphalt for easy walk and roll. Have fun and be safe.

John B.

John B. Corns
Age of Steam Roundhouse
Sugarcreek, Ohio