Between 1989 and 2003 the Ohio Central operated a daily except Sunday excursion train between Sugarcreek and Baltic. For much of the life of this operation, the train was pulled by 4-6-0 No. 1551, but in the latter years the 4-6-2 No. 1293 drew the assignment. No. 1293 and its train are shown southbound in Baltic in mid-1999.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
It is autumn 1999 and steam locomotive smoke still fills the air on the Ohio Central between Sugarcreek and Baltic. The former Canadian Pacific 4-6-2 is shown after just having crossed Ohio Route 93 south of Sugarcreek and chugging southbound near Baltic in a pastoral setting that is always a pleasure to view.
Photographs by Robert Farkas
Here are two photos of Youngstown & Austintown GP7 No. 1501, formerly a Pittsburgh & Lake Erie unit, on the Ohio Central in July 1998. The top image shows the 1501 sitting in Sugarcreek,. The bottom image was made of it pulling a southbound train approaching Baltic.
Photographs by Robert Farkas
In the photo collections of numerous Ohio railroad photographers are images similar to this. Ohio Central 1551 is pulling the Sugar Creek-Baltic steam excursions. The 1551 was often given this assignment. The train is southbound in mid 1998.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
The wayback machine has transported us back to Aug. 13, 1996. Ohio Central 4-6-0 No. 1551 is running southbound in Baltic with an excursion train. The 1551 was often the standard motive power for the Sugar Creek-Baltic trains.
It once was part of the Steamtown USA collection and before that was owned by Canadian National. It was built in 1912 by Montreal Locomotive Works.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
We’re standing in Baltic on Oct. 13, 2006, enjoying a passing northbound Ohio Central freight. On the point is former Conrail B23-7 No. 4096. Trailing is another “super 7,” the 4099.
A former OC operating employee said these units were rebuilt from U23B models for the Monongahela Railway just before Conrail took it over.
The locomotives were rebuilt to something just short of Dash 8 specifications, hence the “super 7” moniker.
“This is a very rare example of a good GE design that has stood the test of time and wear,” he said.
“While they are expensive to maintain, as most early GE’s were and still are, these have proven to be somewhat cost effective for the G&W so they are still around. They are actually nice to run as well.”
The 4096 was once Conrail 2035 and would later wear the Ohio Central and Genesee & Wyoming liveries.
Photograph by Robert Farkas
At first glance this appears to be a Conrail train. But look again below the roster number on the engineer’s side of the lead unit.
You’ll see the letters OHCR, which indicates that these B23-7 locomotives belong to the Ohio Central System.
They are shown pulling a train at Baltic on Oct. 13, 2006. Both units were originally built for the Western Pacific.
Photographs by Robert Farkas
From 1975 to 1990 the summer and autumn norm in northeast Ohio was former Grant Trunk Western 2-8-2 4070 running from Cleveland to Akron on the Cuyahoga Valley Line.
Even though it was shut down during 1986 and 1987 due to the transition of the ex-Baltimore & Ohio branch from CSX to the National Park Service, when it returned in 1988 many figured 4070 would be running for years to come.
During the 15-year period I spent many available weekends riding, photographing, then volunteering on the restoration and operating crews.
Little did we all know that after the September 1990 mechanical breakdown of 4070 that a changing of the guard was in the works with the organizations and steam in the area.
Luckily Jerry Jacobson’s Ohio Central began operating steam tourist trains out of Sugarcreek in October 1988.
For the next 15 plus years we saw a variety of steamers operating, the former Canadian National 4-6-0 No. 1551.
It had been built by Montreal Locomotive Works in April 1912 as Canadian Northern 1354.
These are two of my favorite photos of Jerry’s first operating steamer on the Ohio Central taken just one month after 4070’s last time under steam.
In the top image, No. 1551 leads a train near Fresno. In the bottom image it cruises through Baltic. Both images were made on Oct. 14, 1990.
Oh what good memories we have of chasing and photographing steam locomotives on the Ohio Central back in the day. We probably thought those days would never end or at least hoped they would last a little longer than they did.
During the summer, you could head south to catch Ohio Central 1293 or 1551 leading the Sugar Creek-Baltic tourist train.
No. 1293 is shown here leading the train southbound entering Baltic in October 1998.
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