Henry Ford, bought the D. T.& I. July 9, 1920 for $5 million for most all the controlling stock except that held by two troublesome New Yorkers, receiving 456 miles of rundown main track and branch lines, 75 steam locomotives of which 50 could be considered serviceable, 2,800 freight and a couple dozen passenger cars, 41 small railroad stations - most everything in run down condition and brought it out of bankruptcy.  Henry held this as a personal holding consisting of himself, wife Clara and Edsel Ford.  After getting tired of government interference he sold it to the Pennsylvania RR in 1929 for $36 million in cash.  Pictured above is an inspection train North Bound about 1924 - 1926 at Waverly, Ohio.  Note Henry Ford is third person in line.  Henry Ford had the N&W pick up Ford Dealers in VA and WV starting at Norfolk and brought them to Waverly.  He then took them to Detroit to view how Fords were made. 

 June 1980 the Grand Trunk Western Railroad bought the D. T. & I. for 28.5 million.

The car shops was started June 1906 that included $28,000 in grants and land from the city of Jackson. The site along Athens Street had once been a horse race track. The complex included new heavy repair shops, transfer table, oil house,, new yard office building and the relocation of the water tank.  The Detroit Southern round house, which sat in a triangle at Main and Bridge Streets, was closed and a newer larger facility was included in the program.  Over $160,000 was spent on the program with the first building occupied in August 1908.

Click here for information about the D. T. & I. Car Shop in Jackson Ohio: D T & I Car Shop

On Wagon: Driver John A. F. Downing and Jack Hughes.  Standing: Elmer Downing, Edward Johnston and owner Mr. Strittmatter.

D. T.& I .Shop Summit Hill Addy Left, Lowry, Evart Addy & Emmitt Addy

This brick freight station sat on Depot Road and Second Street. It was built in 1953 and demolished in spring of 2002 to satisfy state requirements to construct a state approved truck bypass connecting SR220 East and West Second St.  The city of Waverly was the last owner of the structure.

Strorms station was named after "Uncle Johnny" Storms who contributed the right-of-way across his property. Johnny Storms was born in 1790 and was the last surviving War of 1812 veteran in Ross County.  He lived to be over 87.

Photo from June Gregg (grand daughter of Johnny Storms) collection

Photo from June Gregg (grand daughter of Johnny Storms) collection

    The Royersville Tunnel, original called Vesuvius, opened in December 1851 which dates back to the construction of the Iron Railroad and was carved out of a seam of coal and was original 1050 feet long.  Henry Ford had it shortened several feet after a major collapse.  At it closure in 1982 it was 920 feet long.  Because it was set in a ridge of moving butter rock and fireclay it presented a challenge to the railroads that operated through it.  From either side it was an uphill grade to reach the tunnel and had a seven-degree thirty-minute curve in the middle of the tunnel. Train crews could not get an advance view to watch for fallen timbers or rocks and a full time tunnel watchman was used until 1933 and after that frequent tract patrols was used.  

    Train speeds were restricted to 6 miles per hour through the tunnel.  Engineers tried to maintain enough speed so that the engines would not have to work hard while in the tunnel especially the explosive exhaust of steam engines.  Tunnel height was also a problem with a height of 15 feet 2 inches, it restricted car sizes.

    There was a collision on the Ohio Southern road at Storm's Station, last Friday, resulting in the death of the flagman, John Holland
   Our understanding is that Holland was sent back to flag a train, but took it for granted that it would be a couple of hours behind time, as frequently was the case, and assumed the responsibility to lay down in the caboose of the standing train and go to sleep.  The incoming train happened to be on time and made kindling-wood of the caboose.  Holland was badly mangled.
    There was another smash-up on this side of Storms' on Monday Sixteen cars were wrecked and piled up on about the length of four.  This was caused by the train breaking in two.  A man was seriously and perhaps totally injured in this accident.

21 Nov. 1884 The Republican

    On Last Friday evening about 6 o'clock, the people of Waverly were called upon to witness their first frightful railroad disaster, and  we are satisfied that it the earnest prayer of all that they may never again witness such a scene.  The accident occupied to an excursion train on the Springfield Southern Railroad, which  was returning to Jackson from Niagara Falls.  The train arrived at this point shortly before 6 o'clock, all safe and sound having on board about 150 men, women and children, mostly from our neighboring town of Jackson.  All was joy and happiness aboard the train, the tired excursionist anticipating a speedy and safe return to pleasant homes and anxious friends, never dreaming  that they were soon to meet with a horrible accident, which would turn their joy into the deepest sorrow and sadness and strike terror into the hearts of all.  The train shoved out from the depot at about 6 o'clock, and soon disappeared from view around the curve, leading to the bridge across the canal below town, when the crowd which had collected to greet the returning excursionists started back to town, thinking that all was well with their Jackson friends.  Suddenly their ears were greeted by a loud crash, accompanied by a dull heavy thud, as though caused by the falling of some heavy body.  All eyes were quickly turned in the direction of the train but no one for a moment supposed that any thing happened it.   For a minute or two there was a dead silence, when suddenly there came a doleful sound from the whistle of the excursion engine which was quickly taken up by the engine on the side tract at the depot, and all at once became convince that something terrible had happened.  Hardly had the whistles sounded the mournful alarm until the word came that the bridge had gone down with the train.  The terrible news flew like the wind, and soon from all portions of town great crowds of excited people where seen herring in the direction of the bridge.  Arriving on the grounds a few moments after the first alarm, we found that it was indeed true that the structure had gone down with the ill fated train, dealing death and destruction on all hands.  It was a terrible sight.  There in the canal lay the demolished bridge, on top of which was a wrecked coach, while from either abutment hung badly damaged cars, wedged in by falling timbers of the bridge.  Terrified women and children were screaming at the top of their voices, panic stricken men were rushing wildly about, the wounded were crying for help, while in the cruel embraces of the crushed timbers of the bridge lay poor Davy Dungan, silent in death.  It was a frightful heart-rendering scene, and is one we hope never to witness again.
     Just how the accident came about, is still a matter of general dispute, and perhaps ever will be, but the most reliable evidence we have on this point in the statement of Mr. Ralph Leete, the engineer in charge of the train.  Mr. Leete says that just before his engine left the bridge he looked back and observed that his train was out of shape, but before he could realize the true situation of affairs, the third coach had struck the west corner of the bridge and knocked it off the abutment.  Seeing that the bridge was going, Mr. Leete says he put one all the steam possible to clear the engine and tender and prevent their being drawn back on top the wreck, which he luckily succeeded in doing.  It is evident from this statement, and the marks of the wheels on the ties, that the third car, above referred to, jumped the track about thirty feet from the bride, and ran against it with the above effect.  Several other responsible parties, who were eye witnesses to the occurrence, make statement to this same effect, the only difference being some of them claim that the second car did the damage.
     The train consisted of three coaches and a caboose, all which contained passengers.  Young Dungan, the only person killed outright, was in the caboose, next to the engine, in company with some young friends.  When the crash came it is said the unfortunate young man rushed our on the platform and attempted to save himself by jumping, but he was caught in the falling timbers and crushed to death.  He fell in the water close to the edge of the canal, where his body remained until about 6 o'clock the following morning before it was taken out.  Every effort was made to recover the body sooner, but unfortunately there were no means at hand for removing the heavy cars and timber to that it could be gotten our sooner.  No other parties in the caboose were injured and if young Dungan had remained quiet, he would have in all probability escaped uninjured seriously.  The other parties injured seriously, were Thos. Dungan, brother to the deceased, James McLaughlin, of Wellston, P. M. Washam, and Mrs. Jacob Birtch, of Jackson.  The latter, it was rumored on our streets yesterday, had since died of her injuries.  The former was taken home yesterday on the noon train but is still in a dangerous condition.  Among those not seriously hurt were Miss Maria Poor, Jessie Laird, Geo. Davis, W. A. Steele, Effle Clara, Ed. Crossland, W. F. Scott, Mrs. Davis, Jessie Murfin, George Blagg, Maggie Snyder, Arty Monahan.  
     The excursionists behaved with great coolness and judgment under the frightful circumstances, and ever body on board appeared to be helping each other to escape from the wreck,  Many brave acts sere performed by those who escaped uninjured but we have not the name of the heroes and can not make special mention of them as we wo'd like to do.
     The people of Waverly, without any exception, did everything in their power for the wrecked excursionists.  Everybody threw their houses open to them and stood ready and anxious to render the unfortunate stranger ever kindness and attention possible.
     The Railroad Company acted with all the promptness possible under the circumstances and by noon Monday the wreck was entirely cleared away, a new bridge was up and the road was opened to business as usual. (Note train wreck was 7th of August) 11 Aug 1880 Waverly Watchman

Note: The passenger station was on the west side of town, on the south side of SR 220 (West North Street), and on the east side of the tracks.