Columbus
Ohio Central Railroad System » Morgan Run Shop
The Ohio Central Railroad System (OCRS) is a network of ten railroads that operate almost 500 miles of railroad throughout the East Central and North-Eastern Ohio and in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area. The Ohio Central is divided into three divisions, Youngstown Division, Southern Lines and Pittsburgh Lines.
Ohio Central’s Morgan Run Shop is located east of Coshocton, Ohio. The Morgan Run Shop is used to service its steam engine fleet. The Ohio Centrals newest steam engine is ex-Nickel Plate Number 763.
The former Nickel Plate Road 2-8-4 Berkshire No.763—one of the finest, big-time, Super Power steamers ever to turn a wheel—was purchased from The Virginia Museum of Transportation in Virginia and joined the Ohio Central’s steam fleet at Morgan Run Shop. It was an eighteen-year endeavor for us to acquire No.763 and bring it back home to Ohio where the loco was constructed and where it ran in regular service. The OCRS will repair and run No.763—as well as our other steamers—for the enchantment, thrill, and delight of a new generation of people.
Norfolk Southern Railroad » Buckeye Yard
Buckeye Yard is located on the west side of Columbus, just outside the I-270 outerbelt. This was a replacement yard for Conrail’s scattered yards just north of downtown which are now the location for I-670, and a few other small yards in the urban area. Buckeye Yard has an engine turning loop (no turntable), sanding towers, yard hump, signal department, and a few tracks used as a signal training area.
When Conrail was divided between Norfolk Southern and CSX, Buckeye Yard was also divided between NS and CSX. Power from both railroads, as well as pool power from most other large railroads, can be found at the service facilities at Buckeye Yard. CSX has an intermodal yard on the east side of Buckeye Yard. NS is moving it’s intermodal yard from Buckeye Yard and other yards to the new Rickenbacker Intermodal Terminal, on the south side of Columbus, on Norfolk Southern’s Heartland Corridor.
Nelsonville
Hocking Valley Scenic Railroad » Rail Trip
The Hocking Valley Scenic Railway currently operates over (between Nelsonville and Logan) what was once a part of the original Hocking Valley Railway’s Athens Branch. The Hocking Valley Railway merged into the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway in 1930. The Hocking Valley Scenic Railway was able to purchase the current route in 1985, as The C & O sold off some of its less-used track.
The Hocking Valley Scenic Railway offers diesel-powered rides aboard vintage equipment. Take a leisurely ride back in time along the Hocking River and through the beautiful rolling hills of Southeastern Ohio. Choose between regular seating in our 1920s commuter coaches and open air cars (weather permitting) or enjoy first class service in our newly-restored, air-conditioned B & O coach. The Hocking Valley Scenic Railway’s primary diesel locomotive, GP7 No. 5833, was built in October of 1952.
(Just announced)
