Ohio’s Age of Steam Roundhouse has begun construction on a new 10-stall roundhouse that will be separate from its existing 18-stall facility. The new “East Roundhouse” will include an office, a storeroom and 10 stalls for equipment storage. 

The 10-stall roundhouse has long been a key part of Age of Steam’s master plan, drafted by its founder, Jerry Jacobson, in 2008. While the current roundhouse is primarily made of wood, this new one will be constructed of steel, reflecting the style of roundhouses built during the late steam era. The new roundhouse is expected to be completed next year. Although it will not be open to the public, the equipment stored inside will be rotated with that on public display in the main roundhouse. 

“When completed next year, the Age of Steam’s new East Roundhouse will increase our current roundhouse track capacity by 56 percent,” said Chief Mechanical Officer Tim Sposato. 

Age of Steam has a collection of nearly two dozen steam locomotives, many of which were once part of the Ohio Central Railroad fleet. For more information, visit ageofsteamroundhouse.org. —Justin Franz