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The History of the N&N RR

The Beginning

In the early 1800s a German immigrant named Henry S. came to a tiny settlement called Grer in the northwest corner of Knox County, Ohio . He was a builder and contractor for bridges, harbors and piers.

His first project was to build a sawmill at the north end of Greer River and open a channel across the sandbar that separated the little river from Mohican River. This access to the “Big River” made it possible to ship his lumber on schooners to Danville, Wooster, Akron, and Cleveland.  

Progress

As time went on Henry S had to go farther and farther from the mill for his timber, so in 1880 he started building a short line railroad. He laid wooden rails capped with strap iron about two inches wide for this railroad. The first engine reportedly had an upright boiler but it is unknown whether it was a geared or rod type. As the company grew, and expanded, they started to lay better rails for mainlines. built several years, including 1 hump yard,  in 1 yard, there is the largest roundhouse, with a 130 foot turntable. other years boast a 90 foot, and other sizes.  The Largest roundhouse is the main steam yard, and repair center. which can handle the largest of the roads locomotives. even the only 4-8-8-4 purchased from the Union Pacific Railroad Company.

The Major railroads that cross or meet are the Pennsylvania Railroad, Baltimore & Ohio, Erie, along with a few short lines. the traffic is enough to keep those roads operating into the future.

Lay of the Land

There are slight rolling hills around Greer, so the new logging road had to cross many ravines. A pile trestle across one of them was 450 feet long and 65 feet high. besides the logging company, there are numerous coal companies in the area. Farming is the main stead of the area.  there are several stops at stations with silos with corn, wheat, and other commodities that head to market. cattle, and other livestock are also along the lines.

Business Boomed

Henry S.'s business boomed and he soon needed a better railroad. In 1893 he formed he Henry S. Land and Lumber Co. with seven stockholders and a capitalization of $123,000. The company was issued a charter in 1895 to operate a standard gauge railroad from Greer to Loudonville, about 17 miles away where it interchanged with the Chicago & West Michigan Railroad. Others could now ship lumber all year around.

Growth Continues

In 1896 the line was extended another five miles to the logging town of Akron, where it interchanged with the Baltimore & Ohio and the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroads. The cost of the entire project was $150,000.00.

The railroad's early standard gauge motive power and rolling stock consisted of one Heavy Mountain Class, 15 flat cars and 35 log cars. A car known as the Kittimer Way Car, which was used partly for passengers, was added later. Still later a full passenger coach was acquired along with three 4-6-0 locomotives.

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