Yesterday the Ohio Central announced the termination of their regular steam powered runs and the postponement of steam specials. This would involve the OC (Grand Trunk) 6325, which is the newest mainline steam locomotive restoration in the USA. OC also operates a MLW Pacific, 1293, I think, and maybe another steamer. I was looking forward to seeing the 6325 for the first time. Insurance seems to be the cause. Have any of you heard any news or new developments about this?
Here's more information, from the TRAINS Newswire: Ohio Central quits excursion-train service SUGARCREEK, Ohio — Ohio Central Railroad today unexpectedly and abruptly announced the end of regular passenger excursion-train service, effective tomorrow, Saturday, May 24. OC’s daily steam-powered passenger train, based out of Sugarcreek, Ohio, 30 miles south of Canton, will make its final run at 3:30 pm tomorrow. “The very emotional and difficult decision was based mainly on skyrocketing liability insurance costs and a sluggish tourism economy,” said a notice on OC’s website, www.ocsteam.com. “This was a very hard choice to make and one that we had hoped would never have to make. … The decision to shut down passenger operations is final. We would like to thank everyone who came out and supported us over the past 15 years.” The 15-year run wasn’t without a glitch. In July 1998, Ohio Central, which had hauled 145,000 passengers in 1997, announced it would quit the tourist-train business after 10 years effective October 31, 1998; citing conflicts with a growing freight business, a need to replace old rail, high insurance premiums, and disagreement with local authorities over parking and advertising. In spring 1998, though, OC reversed its stand, resuming tourist-train service and commencing the overhaul of its big 4-8-4, ex-Grand Trunk Western 6325. (Interestingly, the Arkansas & Missouri, a diesel tourist-train operator in northwestern Arkansas, made a similar decision at about the same time, and also reversed it.) Although Ohio Central’s daily steam trains cease immediately, some scheduled special trips will still run, the railroad’s notice said. These include the vintage-diesel-powered "Rails to the Circus" train, also scheduled for tomorrow, May 24, from Columbus to Coshocton, Ohio, and a vintage-diesel-powered "Ohio Bicentennial" excursion on June 21. OC also said a May 31 excursion from Dennison to Newark, Ohio, will operate as scheduled behind former 4-8-4 6325 westbound and vintage diesels eastbound. (OC generally uses FP7’s on its “vintage-diesel” trains.) OC seemed to hedge just a bit in saying that for No. 6325, this will be “possibly her last excursion.” Several excursions scheduled for the rest of 2003 are canceled, however, including trips to Pittsburgh, Murder Mysteries, Riverboat Cruises, and “all other trips planned for this summer.” “I don’t know what the future is going to hold,” said OC vice-president Michael J. Connor on May 23. When asked about the future of the steam locomotives, he said, “Nobody’s going to be cutting them up.” Sounds an awful lot like insurance issues- the same thing that sidelined Frisco 1522 some time back. Personally, the diesels won't finally kill off steam- the insurance companies and Federal boiler rules will.
I was afraid that insurance would be the reason. Eventually there will be no need for those companies. Nobody will be doing any type of activity. Everyone will be so safe, we'll not need insurance. Oh well. As this is a fairly recent restoration, I'd wish that somehow there could be a possibility for off-line excursions. Via lease, or? What type of facilities do they have for safely storing their steam? If the economy recovers, perhaps the program could get a new start! Will be hoping to hear more on what is planned. Boxcab E50
