[citation needed] The railroad first broke ground in Sandusky, for construction on September 17, 1835 at the site which is currently Battery Park Marina.
On November 17, 1837, the MR&LE took delivery of its first steam locomotive, Sandusky, built by Rogers, Ketchum and Grosvenor of Paterson, New Jersey.
[1] Sandusky was also the first locomotive built by Rogers, Ketchum and Grosvenor,[2] and the first to include features such as cast iron driving wheels and counterweights.
The locomotive was used to aid construction, and the first trains (passenger cars only) began running on the line on April 11, 1838, between Sandusky and Bellevue, Ohio.
However, a portion between Bellefontaine and Springfield continues in operation by RailAmerica's Indiana and Ohio Central Railroad.