“Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.” - Henry Ford

The 2013 AC&YHS Membership Campaign is underway. The AC&YHS relies greatly on membership dues as a primary source of revenue for its continued operation.

The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest...

I came across some old photos from June of 1983. We were chasing NKP 765 as she came through Akron. I wasn't thinking AC&Y at the time nor was I think much about Brittain Yard. Of course the AC&Y was already fully absorbed into the Norkfolk and Western by 1983. I do remember the Yard Master not being very happy to see all of us show up that day!

At the time, it was just cool to get some pictures of NKP 765. I didn't even really think about that here was a steam engine on AC&Y's turntable at Brittain Yard, or for that matter, that here was steam in Brittain Yard! 

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Railroad history is the root of the great model railroad hobby. What has happened to railroads in the past as well as the history that is being made even now inspires and influences what model railroaders do. Even if one freelances a railroad, it is always based on some prototype somewhere or a mixture of prototypes. The long time-honored hobby of railway modeling is still a popular leisure activity for young and old alike. This is regardless of the growing popularity of video games or the internet. Through the years and decades model railroad magazines have made it possible for railway fanatics to learn more in relation to the hobby and stay informed of functions and events and railroad club information. The magazines commonly carry articles and information on train sets and accessories, how...

While researching early AC&Y history, I came across data about the Panic of 1893. At first, I was curious to how that economic meltdown affected the AC&Y’s predecessors, especially the Pittsburgh, Akron & Western Railroad. The more I studied that era, the more similarities to today’s economic situation I saw. The Panic of 1893 and eventual depression was triggered by the bubble of excessive railroad building, just as our current recession is ultimately tied to the housing bubble.   

Panic of 1893

During the late 1880s and early 1890s,...

Back in October, Melanie and I went to New York City for my day job. On the way back, we made a slight detour and stopped at Steamtown in Scranton Pennsylvania. If you haven't gone there, you should! It is very cool place for the rail enthusiast, and has a little bit for everyone. We stopped there to specifically to find AC&Y 304. We asked the Park Ranger/Tour Guide where she was and he did not know! He asked several people and sent us in a direction where many old carcasses are at rest. We found her in a pretty bad state! We took a bunch of pictures, and I will be doing an article on the Presevered ACY portion of this site soon.

Happy New Year! I am delighted to extend my warmest greetings to you at the start of another year. I want to wish everyone a happy and healthy new year. This is always a hopeful time, as we celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of another. We must also look back on this past year with the knowledge that brighter days are ahead of us – that although our challenges are great, each of us has the courage and determination to rise up and meet them. It is that spirit that has kept our dreams and passions alive, and it is that spirit that will keep the Akron, Canton & Youngstown Railroad Historical Society thriving and successful for years to come.

Very best wishes for a healthy and rewarding...