OVR, a NARCOA Affiliate

Ohio Valley Railcars is an Ohio nonprofit 501(c)7 Corporation dedicated to the organization of motorcar excursions in the Ohio Valley Region, and the promotion of general rail safety involved with our activities. OVR is an affiliate of NARCOA and hosts NARCOA insured events. Membership in OVR is now included in your run registration fee. Those who wish to join as a member without attending a run can do so  with a $10 check for their membership, email the secretary for mailing information. OVR has several additions to the NARCOA base rulebook which are available off of our web site click here for the link to the rule book insert and are also mailed with the receipt of your OVR membership.

Follow this link to review OVR's excursion hosting policy


OVR Officers and Board members can be contacted via email with the below email addresses:

Ben Cattrell - President 

Ted Poesse - Vice President

Jaime Samuell

Alan Wilber

Dave Verzi

Brian Davis - Secretary

Lydia Poesse - Treasurer

   

Mentoring : OVR  participates in the NARCOA mentoring program. If you are a new operator wishing to be mentored please contact the listed excursion coordinator.

2023 Excursion Announcements

Narrow Gage Test and Tune Day - Saturday, April 29  

Located near Dresden, Ohio , Country Crossroads Education of Yesterday will be our host.  The Moore Family have built this 3 foot gage closed loop railroad with rail, ties, hardware and 2 Plymouth Locomotives from a closed  military munitions plant in Wisconsin.  Total length more than a mile, less than 2. They host two shows on the grounds yearly.  At the present time they have more rolling stock than sidings, so we will be following the train (or leading it)  as needed.  This has been designated a work day at the Country Crossroads .  No fee, but we will pass  hat.  For further information contact Phil Linne, phil4grr@aol.com

Toledo Train Days - Saturday, May 13 

Ohio Valley Railcars has participated with the National Train Day Toledo since 2009 by showing and operating our railcars. For about 6 years we have offered rides. The venue is the former Toledo Central Union Terminal now called the M.L. King Jr. Plaza. It is the last terminal building built by the New York Central and is now the Amtrak/Greyhound terminal. We have two sections of track we operate on each about 200 yards in length. The show usually has 5000to 8000 attendance and we usually give between 500 and 1000 rides. Come show off your speeder and give some rides. For further information contact Phil Linne, phil4grr@aol.com.

Western New York & Pennsylvania Railroad “Meadville in June”  June 17 & 18, 2023

Ohio Valley Railcars will host an excursion on the Western New York and Pennsylvania Railroad on Saturday and Sunday June 17 & 18.  We will run from Meadville, PA to Corry, PA and return, totaling about 100 miles, then we will travel from Meadville to Oil City and return, about 60 miles.  We will have a Friday evening set-on.

All NARCOA and OVR rules apply.  No large gang cars or Hy-rails without prior approval.   A maximum limit of 35-cars has been set, and a minimum of 20-cars will be needed for the excursion to proceed. More details will be provided in your confirmation letter. Confirmation and additional information will come to you by email. If you don’t have email include a large SASE with your registration.

The excursion fee this year has been increased to $475.00 per car.  

Do not contact the railroad with questions. Instead, contact:

Brian Davis, Excursion Coordinator (330) 554-4480

 Download this registration form, complete it, and send it with your payment to OVR at the address shown.

Blue Tip Festival Rides for the Public
June 23 & 24, 2023

Ohio Valley Railcars will host a Rides for the Public excursion on Friday and Saturday July 14 & 15 for the Ohio Blue Tip Festival in Wadsworth Ohio.

We will carry passengers from downtown Wadsworth east 2.5 miles to the Medina County line and return, with an estimated travel time of 20 minutes per each 5 mile trip.  

We will be offering rides Friday from 4PM till 7PM, and again on Saturday from 10AM till 5PM.  Operators who will run both days will receive preference. We will need 10 cars operating each day. 

 All NARCOA and OVR rules apply.  No Hyrails. Car type and number of seats must be indicated on the form below.   A 10 car limit has been set.  

Registration by snail mail, email, or phone calls are all accepted. A Confirmation document and additional information will come by email. 

There is no registration fee for this event.  

If you are interested contact:  Brian Davis at (330) 554-4480, or email Brian.

  

Age Of Steam Roundhouse Rides for the Public
July 14 & 15, 2023

Ohio Valley Railcars will host a Rides for the Public excursion on Friday and Saturday July 14 & 15 on the yards of the Age Of Steam Roundhouse in Sugarcreek, Ohio.

We will be giving rides to folks visiting the Roundhouse. One lap around the facility is about 5,000 feet with an estimated travel time of 20 minutes per trip. 

We will be offering rides Friday from 4PM till 7PM, and again on Saturday from 10AM till 5PM.  Operators who will run both days will receive preference. 

We will need 10 or more cars operating each day. 

We will also have a few cars on static display with their owners discussing their cars and our hobby with the public.  There will be time for cars to be switched out and given a break to join the static display group.

 All NARCOA and OVR rules apply.  Sorry no Hyrails.

Registration by snail mail, email, or phone calls are all accepted. A Confirmation document and additional information will come by email. 

There is a small registration fee for this event.  

 Download this AoS Reg Form, complete it, and send it with your payment to OVR at the address shown.

If you are interested contact:  Brian Davis at (330) 554-4480, or by email.