Rolling Stock

(Cars marked with * are available as HO gauge models.
 Contact us for prices).

Our regular locomotive is  #75, an ALCO S-2 switch engine.*  Built in 1947 by the American Locomotive Company, it's on lease from the New York & Lake Erie Railroad.  It weighs 112 tons. Its "prime mover" is a 1,000 horsepower turbo-charged diesel engine.  It powers a 600-volt electric generator, which in turn powers four electric traction motors, one on each axle. You're sure to feel its power as we pull away from the station. You can get a unique view into its cab from the open car on our northbound leg.

Our standby locomotive is  #85*, also an ALCO S-2 switch engine.  Built in 1950 by the American Locomotive Company, it was purchased by the Oil Creek Railway Historical Society in 1999. It is equipped the same as #75. It was repainted and lettered during our 2001 season.

We have seven passenger cars.*  Built by Pullman in 1930 as electric- powered commuter cars for the Lackawanna Railroad, these cars were used around Hoboken, New Jersey, until 1986. They are made of solid steel, with the only wood being window sills and mahogany arm rests. Their electrical systems have been completely redone to modern standards. They have concrete floors to maintain a low center of gravity, for safety's sake. They have walkover seats, so you can always face forward or sit in groups of four. You're bound to find a seat with a seating capacity of 76 for each car. We have completely refurbished their interiors. Two (#59 and #61) have 20-KW generator to provide power to our train. Currently, we are working to maintain them in like-new condition. 76-year-old cars require constant tender, loving, care. A tour guide is assigned to each coach. The number and name of each coach are keyed to significant people in the history of the "valley that changed the world."

Our most unique piece is #66, the only operating RPO *(railway post office) in the US. It was built in 1927 and ran originally on the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad, as their #68. It then went to the Bangor & Aroostook as their #570. It was donated to us in 1989 by Andrew Merrilees Ltd., a Canadian locomotive rebuilder. When it arrived in Titusville, it was so rusted out, you could see through it from outside. It was restored by our volunteers with a grant from the John Nesbit Rees and Sarah Henne Rees Charitable Foundation. This spring, a new floor was installed in the baggage compartment. The rest of the floor will be installed as time allows. You can purchase and mail post cards on the RPO. It also provides snacks and limited souvenirs while the train is under way. We haul bikes and canoes in it between Petroleum Centre and Drake Well. It gives our wheelchair-bound riders a chance to get a great view of the Oil Creek valley during the trip.

Our party caboose, "old # 10,"* was built in 1913 for the Elgin, Joliet, and Eastern RR. It served as the executive car for the Lake Erie, Franklin, and Clarion RR, before Dr. Kevin Moore, a Clarion dentist, bought it  and moved it onto the OC&T. It is available for rent for non-alcoholic celebrations for up to 20 persons for a nominal fee. Due to its advanced age, it is no longer used on the train. It got a brand new rubber roof in April, 2006. Funds are now being raised to rebuild #10's wooden sides.

Our open car, #827, originated as an express refrigerator car in about 1940. Its number refers to the date Edwin L. Drake struck oil, August 27, 1859. When we found it, it had been converted to a flatcar and was being used in the GE locomotive works in Erie, PA, to move locomotive frames around the plant. GE's East Erie Commercial RR gave it to us in 1990. We promptly put a new floor and oak sides on it. They were replaced in April, 2006. In good weather, up to 100 riders can be found on it, viewing the scenery  and searching for bald eagles and other wildlife in Oil Creek State Park. On our northbound leg, you can see right into #75's cab and make sure the engineer isn't taking a nap.

Our standby coach is #1399. Owned by our postmaster, Lou Adelson, it was purchased in 2005 from the Lake Shore Railway Historical Society. It is a classic heavyweight coach. It was built by American Car & Foundry for the Wabash Railroad in 1925 and ran as a first-class coach on the famed Wabash Cannonball. It was rebuilt with sealed windows and ice air conditioning in 1946.   1399 was acquired by the Norfolk & Western via merger and continued in service until the early 1960's, when the N&W donated it to  Lake Shore. The interior is original per its 1940's rebuild with long distance reclining Sleepy Hollow seats, luggage rack lights and mohair upholstery. 1399 is currently undergoing complete renovation. Last year, it received a rubber roof and openable windows. Welding of new metal to replace rusted areas is ongoing. Wabash blue paint and lettering should be applied this summer. It is on the siding across from the Perry Street Station, so you can follow its reincarnation. 

"OC the Train" is the little engine at Perry Street. It is a 50-ton Atlas industrial switcher built in 1946. It formerly ran for Cytemp in Titusville and was given to us by Ric Tritsch. It was painted in its current finery several years ago, to be used for photographs. We are currently seeking grants to repaint the "little guy."

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The Oil Creek and Titusville Railroad is a Nonprofit Organization

Copyright 1998
Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad
All Rights Reserved
Last updated:  09/07/11