With Ohio celebrating its bicentennial in 2003, its is only fitting that the Bellaire, Zanesville, and Cincinnati Railway (Ohio River and Western) be honored for its role as the longest-lived narrow gauge rail link in Ohio. It was a main developing force for Woodsfield and other Southeastern Ohio communities along its 112-mile route from Bellaire to Zanesville.

Initially named the Bellaire and Southwestern Railway, renamed in 1883 and most often still referred to as the Bellaire, Zanesville, and Cincinnati Railway (BZ&C for short), it became the Ohio River and Western Railway in 1902 and remained so until it’s end. For 52 years this little narrow gauge railroad endured itself to Woodsfield and surrounding communities forming their main transportation link to the outside world. Hauling people, mail, farm and manufacturing goods, and raw materials along rails only 3 feet apart.

The Village of Woodsfield had staged a ceremony for the first narrow gauge train to arrive in town Tuesday December 2^nd, 1879. Similarly, a ceremony was held on Memorial Day May 30, 1931 for the last train. (See photo #2). 72 years later and 104 years since it began, a third ceremony was held September 23, 2003 dedicating a bicentennial historical marker to honor the railroad for all time. According to the representative from the Ohio Historical Society, the only railroad so honored during this bicentennial year. (See photo #1).

This ceremony was held at 6:00 PM with some fifty plus in attendance The ceremony was organized by the Monroe County Tourism Office headed by Stephanie Rouse. She was instrumental in seeing that the marker came to be –filling out the necessary forms and coordinating with Woodsfield and state officials. John Briley, Ohio Historical Society, spoke of the importance of this historical marker. Phil Ross, Ohio Bicentennial Commission, praised Woodsfield citizens for their respect for history and the BZ&C. William Bolon, Mayor of Woodsfield, thanked those in attendance and remarked that the Village Park and high school football practice field will once again be remembered as the railroad’s terminal. Ed Cass, railroad author, recounted a brief history of the BZ&C with humorous anecdotes. Numerous attendees told personal stories about their memories of the railroad. Ray Weber brought his “O” scale models of engine #11, passenger coach #5 and other cars to view while recorded sounds of BZ&C engines chugged and whistled in the background.

The large cast bronze marker inscription reads as follows:

“BENT, ZIGZAG, AND CROOKED”

The Bellaire, Zanesville, and Cincinnati Railroad

Monroe County’s rugged terrain hindered commerce and communication during the 1800’s. In the early 1870’s, Woodsfield businessmen, led by banker Samuel L. Mooney, promoted a narrow-gauge railroad to connect to the Baltimore and Ohio at Bellaire. Narrow gauge railroads were popular during this boom era because they cost less to build and operate than standard-gauge lines and could traverse sharp curves and steep terrain. The Bellaire and Southwestern Railway was completed through Armstrong’s Mills and Beallsville to Woodsfield in December 1879, giving Monroe County a welcome modern link to the rest of the country. Its initial success prompted its extension westward, and it was soon renamed the Bellaire, Zanesville, and Cincinnati Railway, reaching Zanesville via Caldwell in late 1883. While it served a vital role in the Monroe County life, by 1886 the BZ&C had defaulted on its construction bonds and entered the first of many receiverships. Its 300 trestles and bridges were expensive to maintain; frequent landslides added to operating costs. Only the coal and oil booms of the 1890’s, along with convoluted financial schemes, kept the railroad operating into the 20^th century – a benefit for the people of Monroe County if not its stockholders. Reborn as the Ohio River and Western (locally called the “Old Rusty and Wobbly”) in 1902, it continued to operate at a loss until the Great Depression. Hundreds turned out in Woodsfield on Memorial Day 1931 for the final run. Ohio’s longest-lived narrow gauge railroad, it had lasted 52 years. This is the site of the former BZ&C rail yards.

On your next visit to Woodsfield stop by the Village Park at the intersection of Paul, East Marietta, and Creamery Streets to view the marker. If you listen real close you might still hear an engine whistle or bell and passengers boarding the train.