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Sending out an email on a cool July evening.  Who knew this would be such a comfortable summer weather-wise.  Just wonder what August and September will be like?

We've been busy this past month.  The Fostoria Area Visitors Bureau was host to two tour buses from Allen Park Michigan on July 15.  They toured the BANKquet Hall, where Dillinger's gang robbed the First National Bank; Fostoria Heritage Glass Museum, Foster Museum on Main, the Presbyterian Church and of course the LE&W depot.  Old dead Charles Foster appeared and spoke to the visitors as well as Jim Roberts as a train conductor.  A progressive luncheon was served at local restaurants and the Fostoria Community Band performed.  What a great day, thanks Pamela and all involved. 

FRPS and the Rail Park are featured in the August issue of Railpace Magazine.  We have purchased extra copies and can sell one to you at the $5.95 price.  Thanks to Mike and Ron for such a nice 4 page article.  The platform sure looks great lit up in the evening hours.  If you haven't come to our new rail park, plan a trip.  You will not be disappointed.

Let's Talk Trains, an online Blog Talk Radio, featured the Fostoria Rail Park on their Saturday,. July 26 program.  Let's Talk Trains is funded by the Amer. Passenger Rail Heritage Foundation.  Our program is 2 hours and features Allyson Murray, Fostoria Safety Service Director; Pamela Smith, Chamber & Visitors Bureau Director; Jim Roberts, FRPS exec. board member; Walter Pfefferle, FRPS webmaster and myself.  The link to this blog is on our Facebook and website pages.  

By the way, we have the Fostoria Rail Park Facebook page, FRPS Facebook page and FRPS website.  Walter is fabulous and needs to live forever.  What a great job Walter!!!!!!!! Could not do this without you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mark your calendar for Saturday, September 27.  The 13th annual Fostoria Rail Festival.  More info is our website.

Attention--a weekend railfan lost a SD card at the railpark.  The initials RB is on the tiny thing and it would be great if the SD card could be found.  If so, please advise and we will forward the item to the rightful owner.  How sad to lose Fostoria train photos !!!

Memberships this year are up and we are ever grateful for ALL the new members and ALL the renewing members.  Thank you all !!!!

Ellen

It's been a while and we need to give you information on what is happening in Fostoria.  As always, IF you do not wish to receive these emails, please advise, we can take you off the list.

 

Top on our list is we are on a membership campaign.  Many of you are FRPS members but some are not.  We need your support to help us reach our goals.  Some FRPS members are matching $ for new members or those of you who have let your membership lapse.   Please help us if you can.

 

The Ohio Rail Development Commission sends out the Track Record and we had been forwarding this to our 500+ email list.  Unfortunately, we are discontinuing this practice.  You will be able to read it on our website.  Too many times, almost weekly, someone would unsubscribe directly to ORDC. 

The Fostoria rail park is a busy place.  Many more new railfans are coming to the fabulous park.  Those that have frequented Fostoria for years are also loving the park too.  Congratulate the city of Fostoria, they listened to what railfans want and have provided it for you for NO COST.  The park is open 24/7, 365.   The drinking fountain and restrooms are fully functional.  The contract between the city of Fostoria and the federal funding grant has not been fully completed.  The lawn area was reseeded recently.  Until the city has all the work completed and all bills for this contract/grant paid, nothing can be added to the property.  Therefore, no WiFi or scanner can be added as they are not part of the contract/grant.  Regarding the WiFi, we would love to have this added to the park, but with anything, there is a cost involved and FRPS needs help in funding.  You can grill at the park.  RV's are allowed at the park overnight too.  

We have a limited supply of Bob Lorenz t-shirts and are selling them at a reduced price.  Childrens and adults to XL are $9.00 with 2x-3x & 4x are $13.00.  Interested, please contact us, we'll can mail the shirts too.  Will advise shipping costs.  We do take the shirts to the rail park and you can purchase them there.

Robert Bunker, a Minnesota resident and FRPS member has donated a DVD on Fostoria.  We have this DVD on sale at train shows too.  Thank you Robert for your generous donation to our non-profit !!!

 

Saturday, September 27 isn't too far away.  That is the date for the 13th Fostoria Rail Festival.  Fred Fogelsinger, Michigan resident sent in his check for vendor tables at our rail festival.  Thanks Fred !!!  We have moved the rail festival to the high school, which is right beside the old location, we needed more room for vendors.   We added remote-controlled airplanes to our outside displays as well as the Fostoria Chamber car show.  Hope to see you too.

 

FRPS is a member of Destination Seneca County and they have a billboard on US 23 near Upper Sandusky.  Look for the billboard near the SR 53 exit.  Eddie Durnwald's railpark photo with a NS Triple Crown beside the platform is the billboard photo.  Thanks Eddie and Destination Seneca County !!!

 

FRPS is planning for the Owosso Michigan Steam Railroading Institute event on June 20-22.  30,000 are expected to attend and we are planning to talk to everyone and tell them about Fostoria Ohio !!!  Are you going to be there?  Stop in and see us in the big tent.

 

FRPS elected new board members.  Teresa Lee is the new President.  Renee Smith is 1st vice president with Herm VandeKerkhoff continuing being the VP of acquisitions.  Board members are retiring President Jim Roberts, Joe Droll, Pamela Smith, Tom Miller, and John Potteiger.  Secy-treas. is Ellen Gatrell.

 

The LE&W Depot will be painted this summer.  Colors selected are a medium gray with white trim.  This is close to the original colors.  We have an estimate of less than $7,000. including paint and labor.  Would you like to help with the depot painting project?  Your monetary donation would be greatly appreciated.

Michael Gossman, Railpace Magazine writer and photographer visited Fostoria and will have a Fostoria article in the August issue.  Thanks Michael !!!  

 

The NKP 765 will have their open house on August 16.  Here is an opportunity to see the NKP 765 up close and personal.  The 765 will be traveling through Fostoria sometime in September as they are going to Cuyahoga Valley.
 

 

Just a short note advising the May FRPS meeting is tonight !!!  The meeting time is 6:00 p.m.  Please plan to attend and get involved in our organization.  

 

The rail park is open for all.  24/7 with trains constantly passing by the rail park.  The restrooms are in perfect order.  Fostoria's Mayor Eric Keckler was asked if grills can be used at the park and he says OK !!!  We have had many new visitors and of course those who have come to Fostoria for years are excited to see the new park !!!  Enjoy the facilities.

 

Questions have been asked about moving the scanner.  Not yet.  If you know much about working with federal/state grants, the city is not responsible for the park yet as the paperwork and some work at the park are not complete.  Therefore, no additional items can be added to the park until all the paperwork is completed and the city has signed off with the state.  Yes, it sounds complicated but that is how it works.  Sorry.  Please enjoy visiting the park and realize what a treat it is to have a city spend this type of funding for visitors !!!!!  

FRPS is making plans to be at Owosso Michigan in mid June for the big steam event.  We hope to see lots of you there too.

Plans are being made to have the LE&W depot painted this June.  This historic depot was built in 1878 at a cost of $825.00.  My how times have changed, how far would $825.00 go to build a structure now?  How much is a shed for a lawn mower, more than that !!!!!     

Have a great day and see you soon.

 

Ellen 

Regarding the extreme cold weather, the Rail Park has taken on a frozen issue--broken water pipes in the women's restroom.  Seems the doors do not always close tightly enough with the extreme wind and cold we have had this January.  Both restrooms will be locked until the broken water pipes can be repaired.  Sorry for the problem, but we hope this is a small problem as with the colder than usual temperatures there certainly are less people viewing trains at the rail park.  We are staying home where it is warmer until the weather breaks.

Please mark Thursday, April 17 (3rd Thursday in April) for the Fostoria Railroad Employees Reunion.  This year the event will be held at the Good Shepherd Nursing Home's lower level, 725 Columbus Avenue (SR 18 going toward Bascom/Tiffin).  Doors will open at 5, dinner at 6 and program at 7.  We are pleased to announce Kelly Lynch, Ft. Wayne RR HS (NKP 765) Communications Director will be our speaker.  Expect to hear a special announcement at this program too.  There is an elevator to the lower level for those not wanting to use steps.  More info on the program later.  

 

July 20-22 is another "Train weekend"  Owosso Michigan, Steam Railroading Institute will host Train Expo 2014.  Look on their website for more info.  www.michigansteamtrain.com

 

FRPS is on the board for the  7th Toledo National Train Day, and meetings will begin this week.  More info later.

Stay warm !!!!!

 

Ellen   

 

We had been warned this was to be a colder and snowier winter and the predictions are coming true.  There is no reason for me to leave my warm home today and it's a good time to sit in front of the computer and get more "stuff" completed here.

Looking back on the FRPS 2013 year, well, we can certainly say we had a lot going on and here is the list.

 

FEBRUARY

...Henry H. Geary Foundation/Key Bank donates $1,000.00 to FRPS.

...City of Fostoria receives 3 bids for the Fostoria rail park $1.8 million construction project.

MARCH

...Whitta Construction, Fostoria, was selected to build the Fostoria Iron Triangle Visitors Center and Viewing Park.

...Posey Excavating completed the Codding building demolition project.  Rail fans will have a better view of the area with this building gone.  This property, owned by the city of Fostoria, is directly west of the rail park.

APRIL

...Ohio Rail Tourism Assn.(ORTA) held their annual meeting at Jerry Joe Jacobson's Sugar Creek Roundhouse.  FRPS is a member of ORTA.  Amazing to walk around and see such a display of rail road history so well preserved, loved and admired.

...Whitta Construction, began the work on the new rail park.  Work should be completed by October if the weather cooperates.

...Operation Lifesaver Train (OL).  FRPS has an Operation Lifesaver presenter on our board.  FRPS invited the Fostoria Fire Dept. & Fostoria Police Dept. employees to ride the OL train with FRPS members as guests.  The trip was from Rocky River to Bellevue.

...FRPS held their 4th annual Railroad Employees Reunion at St. Wendelin Parish Life Center.  Guest Speaker was Matt VanHattem, Senior Editor, Trains Magazine.

...Charles Glover, Fostoria donated a LE&W whistle post.  FRPS will move the post to the rail park in 2014.

MAY

...National Train Day (NTD), Toledo was a successful event with over 8,000 people attending.  FRPS is on the NTD committee and had tables at the event.

...Canadian Walter Pfefferle began updating the FRPS website and opened up a FRPS Facebook page.  Walter has accomplished a great deal in a short time.  Look at our website and connect with us on Facebook.  We will keep you informed on what is happening in Fostoria and FRPS.

...C&O/NKP double diamond and B&O/C&O double diamonds are being replaced by N/S and CSX crews.  

...Ft. Wayne's NKP 765 rumbled EB through Fostoria.

...B&O RR Historical Society held a mini-convention in Fostoria.  Previous mini-con was in 2009.

...Ft. Wayne's NKP 765 rumbled WB back to Ft. Wayne through Fostoria.

...Michael Harvey, St. Mary's OH, donates a scanner for railfans use.  Scanner is setup at Davis & Newcomer Bldg. (D&N) and to be placed in rail park when platform is completed.  (This scanner will be moved in the spring when the weather is warmer.)

...Rolf Babb, Jim Hohman and Dr. Gregory Hensley donate a picnic table for rail fans use.  Picnic table is located in the D&N lawn area.

...FRPS receives $1,000.00 grant from Fostoria Eagles.  Funds will be used to upgrade the LE&W depot electric box.

JUNE

...Operation Lifesaver holds their quarterly meeting at the LE&W depot.

JULY

...City of Fostoria employees cut down the scrub trees on the Codding property line allowing more visibility for rail fans in the Iron Triangle.

AUGUST

...Hancock-Wood Electric Cooperative donates $1,000.00 to FRPS for expenses to paint the LE&W depot exterior.

...Tom E. Dailey Foundation donates $2,000.00 to FRPS for the LE&W/ NKP caboose restoration project.

...Mohegan-Pequot RR Club travels to Fostoria to railfan in the Iron Triangle.

...FRPS volunteers clean up the T&OC/NYC depot and NYC Tower grounds.  They removed vegetation with the city of Fostoria employees furthering the process at the NYC Tower by removing trees in and around the tower and abandoned rail line.  

SEPTEMBER

...Ft. Wayne NKP 765 travels EB through Fostoria to Cuyahoga Valley in early September and traveled WB back to Ft. Wayne later in September.

...FRPS President Jim Roberts announces new FRPS executive board members--Tom Miller, Renee Smith, Joe Droll, Pamela Smith and John Potteiger.  These appointments were made to fill vacant seats.  Earlier this year Aaron Gonya, John Kimble and Roger Radcliff resigned.

...Fostoria Area Visitors Bureau (FAVB) & Capture 1 Studios released "The History of Fostoria, Vol 1" with an event at St. Wendelin Parish Life Center. 

...12th annual Fostoria Rail Festival held at Fost. Intermediate School (FIES). Chamber Car Show was added. Train show has grown and will be moved to the adjacent larger school building, Fostoria High School for the September 27, 2014 event.

...WBGU-TV (public TV) visits Fostoria Rail Festival and interviews Mayor Eric Keckler, FRPS Pres. Jim Roberts, Chamber of Commerce Director Pamela Smith, Fostoria Area Historical Society Pres. Leonard Skonecki (Gov. Charles Foster) and Ellen Gatrell for WBGU Scenic Stops program. Our segment will be part of the NW Ohio railroads program.
OCTOBER

...B&O RR Historical Society held their national convention in Findlay with two buses of attendees visiting the Iron Triangle.

...Rail park not quite complete.  Too much rain over the summer has caused delays.

NOVEMBER

...Fostoria native John Switzer published an article in the Columbus Dispatch on growing up in Fostoria during the steam train era.

...City of Fostoria held the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Fostoria Iron Triangle Visitors Center & Viewing Area.  Approximately 200 people were in attendance.  A reception was held at the BANKquet Hall following the ribbon-cutting.

DECEMBER

...Mayor Eric Keckler is allowing the rail park to be open 24/7.  Fostoria City Council will have an ordinance requesting the 24/7 at December council meetings.

...Fostoria Chamber held 2nd annual WhoVille on Dec. 7 along with the Fostoria Rotary Club Holiday Parade in downtown Fostoria.  Santa arrived at the LE&W depot for our 6th annual Santa at the Depot.  Chamber had events downtown and at the Fostoria Plaza.  In attendance, the Grinch!

...FRPS sponsored the 4th annual Light Up Fostoria for the Holidays contest.  Bus tours are held to view the entrants beautifully lighted lawn displays.

 

GENERAL INFORMATION

...Donations were received during the 2013 year from Charley Sheets, the Clyde Lindsay family, Gerald Lee, retired B&O engineer Marie Walton, Jim Nusser, Robert Woods widow and Herm VandeKerkhoff.

...FRPS traveled through Ohio and Michigan attending many train shows.  Of course we informed railfans of what is going on in Fostoria.

...FRPS memberships are up with 160 members for 2013.  We expect those numbers to increase with the rail park opening to the public in Nov.  Are you a member?  Our membership form is on our website.  

 

Ellen

RAILPARK OPEN NOVEMBER 15th Hello to all this November evening. Great news to pass on to everyone !!!!!! The City of Fostoria will have their official ribbon-cutting at the Fostoria Rail Park on Friday, November 15, two weeks from today. The 3:00 p.m. ceremony should be completed at 3:30 with a reception immediately following at the BANKquet Hall, corner of Main & Tiffin Streets until 5:00 p.m.. Please pass this information on to everyone !!! The RailPark will be open 24/7 so railfans can enjoy it anytime they visit. The ORDC Track Record was emailed to many of you and IF you do not wish to receive it, please advise me. Please do not forward the info to ORDC, it just causes confusion. IF you do not wish to receive emails on FRPS/Fostoria updates, please also advise. This weekend is the NMRA train show at Dayton's Hara Arena. Hope to see many of you there. Great show, please plan to attend if you can. The Fostoria Area Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau will host their 2nd Grinch/Whoville weekend for children on Saturday, Dec. 7, 9a3p. Santa will arrive in Fostoria via the Rotary Club Holiday Parade, 11:00a.m. Santa will light up the City of Fostoria Whoville Tree and then come to the LE&W Depot to visit with local children and their families from noon-3 and 5-7. Santa needs a break to feed his reindeer from 3-5. Our 7th annual Santa at the Depot will continue on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 5-7 pm and Saturdays noon-2 until December 21. Model trains will be running along with the 24+ brightly decorated Christmas trees inside and outside. Get your Christmas spirit here if you need some. This is not just for children, adults love to see the decorations too. We can provide you with a photo with Santa for a nominal price and you can take the photo home with you too. Pets are also welcome, they are part of our families too!!! LIght Up Fostoria will again be part of Fostoria's Holiday spirit on Friday & Saturday, Dec. 13 & 14. Local and area homes decorate their yards and enter the contest. Tours will be set up for you to either take in your own car or you can ride in one of the buses and have a tour guide give you information on the lovely Christmas decorations for a nominal cost. FRPS and the Fostoria Chamber/FAVB are involved in this event. Enjoy this weekend. Ellen

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