The P&WV Hi-Line

[PWVJer]

Hey Jayrod,
... can you give us any info/update on the Orrville situation/activity?
Hear anything new regarding the ex AC&Y FM-505?

Dave & WM fans, any word on the Western Maryland-GCK 50 ton ex.MPA
hoppers?
Have been worked on? re-painted yet?

JZ.

[jayrod]

It's been a long, busy summer at ORHS. The highlights:

Derailment: In July of 2014, five empty passenger coaches returning to Orrville from being on lease were derailed in Bellevue, Ohio. Two of the cars have been repaired and returned to service. Though repairable, the economics to complete the other three cars wasn’t viable for the organization and they have been sold. They are now on their way to Florida on flatbed trailers for eventual use by another excursion operation after repairs are completed. The 104 (ACL, 1940) and 106 (SAL, 1939) are returning “home” to Florida while the 103 (ATSF, 1946) will again see palm trees, although on the opposite coast. We are very pleased that these vintage cars have been saved.

Excursions: Shortly after the derailment, ORHS received word that the Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway would no longer host our day-long excursions. Due to increasing traffic levels and the manpower and time required to safely run an excursion, it was determined that this was a luxury and liability that the W&LE would no longer afford. However, we don’t consider ourselves out of the excursion business quite yet. We are exploring other options such as partnering with other operators or Amtrak charters.

The Purchase of DABO, Inc.: In June of this year, ORHS completed the purchase of DABO, Inc. as an investment opportunity. DABO, located southwest of Orrville, was a used rail car dealer and scrapper. Unique to the property is an RSD1 and three 250T wreckers - two steam and one diesel - as well as other equipment. The steam locomotive has been sold to Age of Steam. The intent is for DABO to resume operations as a viable business concern.

Loss of Track Lease: Also in June of this year, ORHS learned that the W&LE would be delivering car loads of gravel to Orrville Trucking & Grading on track that was currently leased by ORHS. Shortly thereafter, ORHS was notified that our lease was being cancelled and the property would have to be vacated. Since then we have worked tirelessly to move all of our accumulated equipment, parts and cars to the DABO property. DABO has a small rail yard and that will give us somewhere to store our equipment and host some trackside events. A significant amount of money and manpower has been spent to move our equipment and repair track at DABO.

What does this mean for the future of ORHS? The loss of our excursions and this year’s events is a huge hit financially. Going forward, we’ll have to focus on alternative ways to raise funds. We have some ideas already and are looking for more. ORHS also plans to focus more attention on the historic 1868 Orrville Union Depot complex and to continue our support and participation in Operation Lifesaver.
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Eric Schlentner
Aka, jayrod

[jayrod]

I have heard nothing more about the 505. I've put the word out to likely potential buyers but I've heard nothing more.
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Eric Schlentner
Aka, jayrod