I ran across THIS tonight. Very interesting!

hmmm, you're right Rich. Maybe you can help by filling in the back story, such as who is Jerry Joe and what is his mission?

Jerry is the former owner of the Ohio Central. He's a guy with a passion for trains and railroading. Check the "About Us" link and others on that linked website.

What kind of dollar figures are we talking about behind such an undertaking? Anyone ventures a guess?

Prairie

Thanks for the heads up Rich!

Cool! And I was just wondering about the 763...

Andy

I'm glad to hear and see that our Steam era history will have another home for many years to come. This project will be expensive, but that's how things are these days. The roundhouse alone as a guess(and it's a vey wild guess) in excess of 5 million-- and i won't speculate how much it cost to prep the grounds--
I wish Jerry and his project well--

For the "back story" aspect, there is a fairly complete story of who Jerry is and what he is doing with this project right there in that site. Jerry is a long-time (30+ years) friend and also my former boss when I was Superintendent of Operations on the Youngstown Division of the Ohio Central Railroad. I resigned that position when Jerry sold the railroad last year.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: OGR Webmaster,

You have love the guy. Building a roundhouse, turntable, steam engine service facility and purchased land so he can continue his dream.


Rich,

There isn't much info yet on NKP 763. Are the waiting for the shops to be erected or have they started the rebuild?

Very cool. Can't wait to visit.

Great news! I had heard about this project a little over a year ago and was
hopeful things were sill progressing. Sounds like a trip to Sugarcreek next year!!

This is great! Now if we could only get Warren Buffett to build a NYC Hudson!

quote:

Where We Are Going:

Wishing to share with others Jerry’s passion for the steam locomotive, we at the Age of Steam Roundhouse seek to:

Preserve the steam locomotives, historic diesels, passenger cars and other railroad relics in the collection of Jerry Joe Jacobson.


Construct a full-scale, operating and realistic roundhouse and back shop to overhaul, repair and maintain Jerry’s rolling stock.

So what Diesels and rolling stock is in his collection?

quote:

Are the waiting for the shops to be erected or have they started the rebuild?

Nothing is being done on any of his steam locomotives right now. The Morgan Run Shop, where the steam locomotive work was previously performed, was sold as part of the the deal to GWI. Once the roundhouse is done, the 763 and all the other locomotives will go inside and work will start.

I don't know the complete list of diesels, but I know he has an F40-2 (maybe two, I'm not sure) an Alco RS3, a Fairbanks Morse switcher and a few others. The rolling stock is the passenger car fleet. He has about 18 coaches in the fleet, some of which we used behind the 765 earlier this year.

Eventually all this stuff will be in this site, as it grows a little.

From the website.
"The entire Age of Steam Roundhouse and site are being constructed and maintained with private funds donated by Jerry Joe and Laura Jacobson. It is expected that the roundhouse and back shop shall be completed in late 2010, with other buildings and structures being completed later during Phase 2 of this massive undertaking. Additionally, an endowment has been established so that the monumental construction work of this roundhouse and the treasures it contains may be guaranteed continued existence into the future."

I wish them well, (Jerry and Laura) and hope it all works for them. Properly structured at least part of their life's work will be in a beautiful museum and a great history preserved. IMO Probably much better than the government taking most of their life's work. I'm sure there has been a lot of thought put into this major project, hopefully all with the blessing of the powers to be.

It appears to be about 4 hrs. from the Pittsburgh area.

quote:

Originally posted by Mike CT:
It appears to be about 4 hrs. from the Pittsburgh area.

No, it's not that far. From Pittsburgh to Sugarcreek is 60 to 90 minutes, depending on traffic.

Is he trying to buy the Baldwin sharks that are sitting outside?

quote:

Originally posted by OGR Webmaster:

quote:

Originally posted by Mike CT:
It appears to be about 4 hrs. from the Pittsburgh area.

No, it's not that far. From Pittsburgh to Sugarcreek is 60 to 90 minutes, depending on traffic.

I did a Google Map last night for Sugar Creek and it showed close to (4) hr. from New Brighton, PA. (home town)

Google Map Pittsburgh to Sugar Creek OH 3 hr. 24 minutes 189 miles
Mapquest Pittsburgh to Sugar Creek OH 3 hr. 30 minutes 188.62 miles.

It is possible that I have the wrong Sugar Creek OH.

I wish is was 60 minutes.

quote:

Originally posted by Mike CT:
It is possible that I have the wrong Sugar Creek OH.

There are two Sugar Creek's (one in Athen County, and one in Trumbull County) and one Sugarcreek (Tuscarawas County) in Ohio, so that is definitely a possibility.

If I had to guess, I would guess that it is the one in Trumbull County, which would be just about 1-1.5 hours from Pittsburgh (and doesn't show up on Google Maps...).

Andy

The location is SUGARCREEK (one word) and it is in Tuscarawas county.



I'll revise my driving time to 90-120 minutes. Too many 2-lane roads and not enough Interstate.

Sugarcreek, Ohio. Tuscarawas County.

About two hours from downtown Pittsburgh.

Thank you all, From here in western PA, north of Pittsburgh, Turnpike to Akron and then south. 2 hrs 15 minutes. Or a lot of 2 lane roads through some beautiful Ohio.

Sorry about the spelling. County and zip code added to the sight would be a good thing. A small town like Sugarcreek stand to gain tremendously from a venture like this. Relatively good position from several major metro areas.

From the web site...

Additionally, an endowment has been established so that the monumental construction work of this roundhouse and the treasures it contains may be guaranteed continued existence into the future.

Unlike other collections of various rail equipment that sat outside and rusted away when the owner passed on, this collection will be housed inside a secure, heated roundhouse. Three of Jerry's steam locomotives (1293, 33 and 6325) ARE operational, and the 763 will be the next one through the overhaul process.

Jerry got no TARP funds for this project. Once again, from the web site...

The entire Age of Steam Roundhouse and site are being constructed and maintained with private funds donated by Jerry Joe and Laura Jacobson.

There ya go.

The Jacobsons are smart people with an objective that many people share.

IMO. With the procedes of the sale of OCRS available the Jacobsons would have shown a huge income for the year. It is best to plan incomes of that nature or at least half of it goes to the government to spend as governments spend money. With the establishment of an endowment and a non-profit Jerry effectively is still in business and the money spent in Sugarcreek is still non-taxable expense, be it money spent the way he wishes it to be spent, not as the government sees fit. Probably one of the reasons there has been a fair amount of work done at the site to date. Such a move usually has time limitation. Reinvestment of sorts, but still spending money. Keep in mind the Jacobson still have a tremendous tax bill just not quite as much.

As a private concern the Davis/Bacon act would not apply, prevailing wage rates would not be necessary for such a project. Jerry would still be subject to all state and local codes concerning the construction, but could temper the cost of construction based on his wishes. Accepting public funds opens a can a worms that requires higher wages rates and also dictates higher construction cost related to US made materials and specific designs required when public funds are used. The quagmire of paper work eventually also raises cost.

To date there would of had to be at least partial, (approved), drawings and a building permit. Cost estimates for the construction project would also have been done, and some type of financial planning to allow for the project completion, and banking to be done related to the endowment that would keep it running.

Also a website has been started and we now know the location.

I hope it all works well for the Jacobsons.

Thank you Rich
Mike CT

Hmmm... no stage on the turntable for live performances? No rotting hulks as far as the eye can see? No tearing apart a K-4s and leaving it that way? No tax dollars?

What's not to like?

Jon

quote:

Originally posted by Mike CT:
County and zip code added to the sight would be a good thing.

It is probably a good thing to keep this info off the site until the physical site is ready to open to the public. They don't really need some of the less-than-thoughtful railfans wandering around the property and interrupting the construction, or worse, hurting themselves.

I really look forward to the day that the site is open to the public.

Andy

This is indeed good news! I've been knocking around the idea of going to Steamtown but I think I will continue my to visit my favorites (Strasburg, Cass, D&GV and WMSR) and wait for this project to be open.

Since this is only a couple hours from my house, I hope a program for serious volunteers who want to learn about steam while getting dirty comes about.

What an incredible teaching tool this place will be!

Matt

At the request of John B. Corns, Jerry's Property Manager, please avoid visiting the site for some time to come, for safety reasons. This is a construction site, a hardhat area, and does not accept vistors yet and probably will not for many months to come. You will be gently escorted off the property as soon as anyone spots you, no exceptions. For the benfit of all of us and especially for Jerry's insurance policies, please comply with their wishes to stay away.

I for one can't wait until the site is open to the public. I will certainly do my very best to take a trip out to visit.

I couldn't help but notice that when I was on the site earlier today, Southern Wood Preserving 0-4-0T #3 wasn't listed on the website. I know the engine was lasted operated in 1996 or so and has been in storage ever since but that looks like the perfect steamer to be used as a switcher/demo engine/yard shuttle ride engine for the new facility. Has Jerry sold it? If not, are there any plans for it?

#3's still around, not sure why it's not listed. Or at least it was still around as of the last time I swung through Morgan Run over the summer.

While there are no official plans for it at the moment, it's definintely hoped that the engine can get its turn in the shop in the not-so-distant future. As stated, it'd be a great display locomotive and would be perfect for demonstrating around the roundhouse.

In addition to its Form 4 work, I believe #3 needs its running gear gone over. Perhaps someday we'll see her chugging around again.

Jerry still owns the 3-spot and it IS on the web site. Even though the site has been launched, I think they are still doing updates to it. There's anew photo gallery there of the turntable under construction.

Thanks fellas and it is good to hear #3 may see action again some day. I've always had a thing for little tankers.

FWIW Rich, when I made my original post, #3's page was no where to be found on the site. I now see it has been added.

quote:

Originally posted by SJC:
FWIW Rich, when I made my original post, #3's page was no where to be found on the site. I now see it has been added.

Yep...that's what I meant when I said they may have launched it before they had all the little details taken care of.

thanks for the info Rich. And ust what is the difference between a locomotive being "Servicable" and "Operiational"?
Thanks

"Operational" means you can fill the tank with water, load her up with coal, light the fire, lube the rods and 10 to 12 hours later you're good to go.

"Serviceable" means the locomotive is legal to operate (nothing has gone beyond legal calendar limits) but the locomotive would require some running repairs before it could be operated.

For those of you doing maps and searches, etc. be sure you spell the name correctly. It is SUGARCREEK (all one word.) If you put "Sugar Creek" into your search, you will get a map location, but it is not the correct Sugarcreek.

Thanks Rich. I see that the 6325 is "Sevicable" Does she need much to run?

quote:

Originally posted by Steamer:
Thanks Rich. I see that the 6325 is "Sevicable" Does she need much to run?

I don't know what the 6325 needs.

Even though I have run a couple of the Ohio Central steamers from time to time, I have not been involved with the Ohio Central Steam Department at all over the years. My job with the Ohio Central was Superintendent of Operations for the Youngstown Division - all diesel and all freight.

I'm amazed he is building a 115' turntable. I believe that means he could even turn UP 3985, the largest operating locomotive in the world.

I know 3985 is almost 122' long over coupler's but I think it can fit on the 115 because of overhang.

That is incredible.

Warren Buffett has the set of trains his dad didn't give him and Jerry has a great set himself.

Ah, the rich; they are different than you and me.

Good luck Jerry!

It was reported that Jerry was paid over $400 million for the Ohio Central and that he has operating right on the OC. Ed

quote:

Originally posted by brasman:
It was reported that Jerry was paid over $400 million for the Ohio Central and that he has operating right on the OC. Ed

Whoever reported that was incorrect. The price he was paid is a matter of public record because GWI is a public company. The price was nowhere hear $400 million.

From the GWI Web site:
GREENWICH, Conn., Oct. 1, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Genesee & Wyoming Inc. (GWI) (NYSE: GWR) announced today that it has completed its acquisition of 10 short line railroads known as the Ohio Central Railroad System (OCR) for $234.3 million in cash, subject to adjustment for final working capital.

You can read the entire press release here.

Not to mention that, since Jerry J. wasn't the sole owner of the whole Ohio Central, he didn't get the whole 234.3 million dollars!

quote:

Originally posted by Hot Water:
Not to mention that, since Jerry J. wasn't the sole owner of the whole Ohio Central, he didn't get the whole 234.3 million dollars!

Jack, JJJ WAS the sole owner of the railroad.

The project is located approx. 2 miles south of Sugarcreek, Ohio according to a man I know who works there for Jerry. Ed

quote:

Originally posted by Milepost465:
Since this is only a couple hours from my house, I hope a program for serious volunteers who want to learn about steam while getting dirty comes about.

I second this. I've had my eye on volunteering when it as the OC Steam Dept., but that's on hold since the OHCR is now in the G&W fold. What are the chances of the Age of Steam having volunteer applications in the future?

quote:

What are the chances of the Age of Steam having volunteer applications in the future?

I don't know, but I'll try to find out.