The Ohio Central System

The Ohio Central System, based out of Coshocton, Ohio is 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, which operates almost exclusively in Ohio (they also have a presence in western Pennsylvania) is broken down into three divisions, which include the Southern Lines, Youngstown Division and Pittsburgh Division.

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

The Ohio Central Railroad (OHCR)

The Ohio Southern Railroad (OSRR)

The Columbus & Ohio River Railroad (CUOH)

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)

The Pittsburgh and Ohio Central Railroad (POHC)

The Aliquippa and Ohio River Railroad (AOR)

While the freight trains pay the bills perhaps what the OC is best known and recognized for among railfans and the public is 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 to one day return it to operation, which will certainly be a sight to see!

Aside from the big Berk, the Ohio Central’s current collection of steam locomotives include 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.

The OC continues to grow and it seems like they are always adding new customers. With their excellent service coupled with the pride they take in community involvement, and recognition they give to railfans, the OC should be around for many years to come.

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 many shortlines to see it in action, it is certainly a very interesting railroad.

For more reading on shortlines like the Ohio Central System consider the book American Shortline Railway Guide from author Ed Lewis. The book has gone through several updated editions to keep up with the ever-changing world of the shortline industry. Today, the publication highlights almost 600 shortlines across the country with general background information about each (such as roster information, rail line history, radio frequencies, etc.). If you have any interest in shortlines you will very likely enjoy this book. If you're interested in perhaps purchasing this book please visit The Railroad Diamond by clicking the tab in the menu to your left marked "TRD Store".