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The Ohio Central System

The Ohio Central System, now a part of the Genesee & Wyoming family of shortlines, once based out of Coshocton, Ohio was actually a combination of small shortline systems under one banner, deliberately set up in this manner to allow the communities which each serves to feel more like they have a railroad to call their own. The OC, operated almost exclusively in Ohio System (they also have a presence in western Pennsylvania) was broken down into three divisions, which include the Southern Lines, Youngstown Division and Pittsburgh Division.

Within these three divisions were no less than ten individual shortlines. While these small railroads operated mostly as paper companies many carried its very own livery giving them a local feel to the communities they serve. Below is a list of the railroad’s former divisions and shortlines operating within them:

Southern Lines

The Ohio Central Railroad (OHCR)

The Ohio Southern Railroad (OSRR)

The Columbus & Ohio River Railroad (CUOH)

Youngstown Division

The Mahoning Valley Railway (MVRY)

The Ohio and Pennsylvania Railroad (OHPA)

The Warren and Trumbull Railroad (WTRM)

The Youngstown and Austintown Railroad (YARR)

The Youngstown Belt Railroad Company (YB)

Pittsburgh Division

The Pittsburgh and Ohio Central Railroad (POHC)

The Aliquippa and Ohio River Railroad (AOR)

While the freight trains paid the bills perhaps what the OC was best known and recognized for among railfans and the public was its large and continually growing steam fleet. The railroad just recently acquired former Nickel Plate Berkshire #763 (sister to famous #765) from the Virginia Museum of Transportation and plans are to still in place to one day return it to operation, which will certainly be a sight to see!

Aside from the big Berk, the Ohio Central’s collection of steam locomotives included 2-8-0 #33, 4-8-4 #6325, 4-6-2 #1293, 4-6-0 #1551, 2-8-0 #13, 0-4-0 #3, 4-6-2 #1278, and 2-6-0 #96. After the G&W takeover of the railroad it was announced that founder Jerry Jacobson "will retain rights to operate his steam locomotives and passenger cars on the property. Sources say he will build a roundhouse near his home in Sugar Creek, Ohio to stable the steam locomotives" according to Trains Magazine.

While the Ohio Central has become yet another fallen flag the G&W has pledged to continue the high quality of service the railroad was known for. So, if you are near Ohio’s Amish country or anywhere else in northeastern Ohio or western Pennsylvania you should certainly look up one of the OC's former lines, it was certainly a very interesting railroad. Also, if you are photographer now is the time to get your shots of locomotives in OC paint before they disappear into G&W's orange, yellow and black.

For more information regarding the Ohio Central Railroad please click here to visit the company's web page at Genesee & Wyoming's website.

Please Click Here To Return To The Main Fallen Flags Section

For more on the fallen flag railroads like the Ohio Central consider one (or all) of Mike Schafer's Classic American Railroads books (listed below is the first in the series). He has published three thus far covering virtually all of the most well known fallen flags. I have all three in my collection and highly recommend them, the photography is excellent along with learning a general history of each railroad. If you're interested in perhaps purchasing this book please visit the link below which will take you to ordering information through Amazon.com, the trusted online shopping network.

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