Last Friday, No. 33 was used as last-minute power on a “Polar Express” run for employees from Dennison to Newcomerstown, Ohio. According to Ohio Central Rail System Property Manager and Trains contributor John B. Corns, steam moves on the Ohio Central will be “just for fun” in the future. “Jerry (Jacobsen, Ohio Central owner) wants to run steam engines on the railroad,” he said.
Ohio Central owns nine steam locomotives, but most of its recent efforts have been directed toward getting No. 33 in shape. With that work complete, ex-Canadian Pacific 4-6-2 No. 1293, which operated during the National Railway Historical Society’s annual convention last July, is getting some work done on its tender. Grand Trunk Western 4-8-4 No. 6325 is operable, but has problems with bearings overheating, an issue that has not yet been resolved.
Corns told Trains News Wire that the railroad is looking at plans for building a roundhouse and may install water tanks along the line as well. But revenue passenger trains presently are not in the picture. Liability and other concerns are just too great a risk, Corns said. However, No. 33 and other engines can pop up on a freight train at any time Jacobsen decides to run one. The railroad is still amenable to operating special charter photo runs, during which photographers can follow in automobiles, and several groups have expressed an interest in a photo charter with No. 33 in 2007, Corns said.
