Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad

In the beginning there wasn’t much. Only 13.5 miles of double ribbons of rusty steel not good enough for Conrail to continue using, and buried beneath the brush and fallen trees. In 1982, two groups were planning to purchase the track: one for recreational use and the other to continue the freight connection for Titusville industry. These two groups came together in 1983 to form the Oil Creek Railway Historical Society Inc., and purchased the tracks, buildings and real estate on July 6, 1986. That purchase began the Oil Creek and Titusville Railroad (OC&T) and excursions “through the valley that changed the world.”

The inaugural excursion of the OC&T was July 18, 1986, utilizing cars leased from several railway societies, individuals and museums. James Stevenson, Vice President of the OCRHS, Lou Adelson, Managing Director of the society, and Don Francis, Train Conductor, drove the golden spike near the site of the future Drake Well platform. That first year saw over 33,950 passengers and by the end of the 2019 season ridership reached nearly 790,000.

Purchased in 1983, and remodeled in the winter of 1986-87, Perry Street Station is an early 1890s vintage freight station serving now as the main station for boarding passengers. The station at Petroleum Centre was constructed and opened as a ‘flag stop’ in 1989 and the following year the platform at Drake Well as well as Rynd Farm Station were completed. During the winter of 1986, seven coaches were purchased and reconditioned. Built by Pullman in 1930 as electric-powered commuter cars for the Lackawanna Railroad, these cars were used around Hoboken, NJ. Passengers are encouraged to step out to the open air Gondola car, offering a fantastic view as the train travels through beautiful Oil Creek State Park.

Donated in 1989 by Andrew Merrilees LTD, a Canadian locomotive rebuilder, the Railway Post Office car (RPO) is the only one currently operating in the USA. Built in 1927, it originally ran on the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad as their #68. Thanks to wonderful volunteers, along with a grant from the John Nesbit Rees and Sarah Henne Reese Charitable Foundation, this car was beautifully restored. You can purchase and mail post cards, buy snacks, drinks and limited souvenirs on the RPO during your ride. Occasionally used to haul bikes, canoes and kayaks, it also offers a great view for those riding in wheelchairs.

The First Class car, Wabash Cannonball, was purchased in 2005 from the Lake Shore Railway Historical Society. Built by American Car & Foundry for the Wabash Railroad in 1925, it ran as a First Class car on the famous Wabash Cannonball Special. Rebuilt with sealed windows and air conditioning in 1946, it was acquired by the Norfolk & Western Railway via merger, and continued in service until the early 1960's when it was donated to LSRHS. The interior is original per the 1940s rebuild, with long distance reclining Sleepy Hollow seats and luggage rack lights.

Perry Street Station serves as the railroad’s Museum. Featured is not only railroad history, but also the oil industry which began in the Titusville area in 1859 with the first commercially successful oil well drilled by Col. Edwin L. Drake. OC&T and railroad souvenirs can be purchased at the Gift Shop. You will also find the Concession Stand located in the station, where hot dogs, snacks and soft drinks can be purchased. There are several tables and chairs for enjoying your food before your 3-hour train ride “through the valley that changed the world.”

Mong, M A. Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad Interpretive Manual. Edition 2nd.

Oil Creek & Titusville Railroad. Accessed September 10th 2020. www.octrr.org.

Drake Well Museum and Park. Accessed September 10th 2020. www.drakewell.org.