Logging Locomotive Meet at Mill Creek Central Railroad - October  5-7 2007.

Shays, Heislers, Climaxes, Mallets and associated logging equipment are the focus of this event.  Those interested in bringing their equipment as well as those enthusiasts without equipment should contact Nelson Riedel  (Nelson@NelsonsLocomotive.com) for an invitation.   

Mill Creek Central is a 7.5 “gauge track is located near Coshocton, Ohio, about 70 miles east of Columbus.   The current track configuration is loop-to-loop with a 1.3 mile round trip.  There are two large yards and over 100 switches.  A 104 foot tunnel, a 155 foot long 23 foot high trestle and a roundtable were put into service this spring.   A return loop at the end of the trestle is currently under construction.   These additions will bring the total loop-to-loop distance to over 2 miles.   The track is hilly with many long grades of between 2% and 3%; ideal for a logging locomotive

October is the driest month in Ohio and the temperature is usually cool --- typically 50s to 70s --- great for steamers.    This is also the start of the fall color in the rolling hills of eastern Ohio.     There are many things of interest in the area.   Some websites listing local attractions and lodging are:

Coshocton County: http://www.visitcoshocton.com/

Licking County:   http://www.lccvb.com 

Holmes County: http://www.visitamishcountry.com/

Friends of Mill Creek Central often stay at Roscoe Motor Inn 421 South Whitewoman Street, Coshocton, Ohio 43812, 800 221-5667 -   http://www.roscoemotor.biz/  Mention Mill Creek Central Railroad for a discount.     

The Inn is near the Historic Roscoe Village which has nice areas to walk and the Old Warehouse Restaurant and Lock 27 Tavern housed in a refurbished Ohio Canal warehouse   

The Allen County Museum in Lima, Ohio, is the home of much of the Shay history including factory drawings.  See:  http://www.allencountymuseum.org/ . Lima is located in the northwest part of Ohio, about 150 miles from Coshocton.   This is not far out of the way for one coming to Ohio from the west.   

Cass Scenic Railroad is an 8 hour drive south of Coshocton.   Some of us are planning a trip to Cass on Monday, October 8.  We’ll be staying Monday and Tuesday nights at refurbished worker houses rented by the park.   On Tuesday we will tour the Cass Shops and take a ride to Bald Knob.  Information about Cass is available at:  http://www.cassrailroad.com/index.html   

On the return trip Wednesday, October 10, we plan to stop at the Durbin & Greenbrier railroad about 40 miles north of Cass to take a short ride on their Climax.   See: http://www.mountainrail.com/durbin_rocket.html .    

Those interested in the trip to Cass should contact Nelson Riedel (Nelson@NelsonsLocomotive.com) so we have an idea of the total number likely going to Cass.   Cass is very busy in October with many tourists coming to see the fall color.    One is advised to purchase tickets well in advance.   Tickets can be purchased via the telephone.  See:  http://www.cassrailroad.com/index.html   for details.

The following is a summary schedule for the meet and related events. 

Friday, October 5 – Sunday, October 7: Logging meet at Mill Creek Central.

Monday, October 8 –  Drive to Cass, WV

Tuesday, October 9 – Tour Cass Shops.  Take train to Bald Knob

Wednesday, October 10 - Ride the Durban & Greenbrier Rocket (Climax Locomotive).  Return to Ohio.