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Age of Steam Hires New Executive Director

Peter J. Poremba is now the new leader of the Age of Steam Roundhouse, home to the former Ohio Central steam fleet. Photo Courtesy of Age of Steam. 

Age of Steam Hires New Executive Director

By Railfan & Railroad Staff

SUGARCREEK, Ohio — Ohio’s Age of Steam Roundhouse has hired a new executive director. The museum — home to nearly two dozen steam locomotives, many of which were acquired by the late Jerry Jacobson — announced last week that it had appointed Peter J. Poremba as its new leader. 

Poremba has worked in the railroad industry for more than 35 years and has been an active member of the Age of Steam Roundhouse board of directors. Poremba’s railroad career began in 1983 as a part-time volunteer on Ohi-Rail, Jacobson’s first railroad. In 1986, he began working full-time as a locomotive engineer for the Youngstown & Austintown Railroad. He later became an engineer, trainmaster and road foreman on Jacobson’s more famous railroad, the Ohio Central. 

Starting in the 1980s, Jacobson began to amass a collection of steam locomotives, which today includes a Grand Trunk & Western 4-8-4 and a Bessemer & Lake Erie 2-10-4. All of the locomotives are stored and displayed in an 18-stall brick roundhouse that Jacobson built, the largest such structure constructed since the age of steam. 

“Pete’s lifetime friendship with Jerry Jacobson and management experience gives him invaluable insight into the mission of the Age of Steam Roundhouse Museum,” said Board Chair Bill Strawn.” We look forward to Pete’s leadership and focus on the future, as the museum enters its second phase of growth and development.”

Poremba will replace Noel Poirier as executive director. 

This article was posted on: June 28, 2021