Fostoria Rail Heritage
Fostoria, the city named for Charles Foster, was formed in 1854 when the villages of Rome and Risdon officially united.  It  was also the year the Fremont and Indiana Railroad began laying track for its line that originated in Fremont and passed through Fostoria and Findlay on its way to Indiana. 

In 1872, the Chesapeake & Ohio completed the section of track that ran through Fostoria. The C & O ran between Columbus and Toledo and was principally a coal hauler, but by 1877 the C & O was running four passenger trains a day in both  directions. 

On July 22, 1873, the Baltimore  & Ohio line reached Fostoria on its way to Chicago from the eastern seaboard and, in the 1880’s, two more railroads came through Fostoria. The New York, Chicago & St. Louis, better known as the Nickel Plate was routed through Fostoria in spite of fierce lobbying by Norwalk. The last railroad to come to town was the New York Central, originally known as the Atlantic & Lake Erie Road.

In addition, Fostoria was served by three inter-urban lines between 1898 and 1932: the Tiffin, Fostoria & Eastern Electric Railway, the Toledo Fostoria & Findlay, and the Fostoria & Fremont. These carried freight and mail as well as passengers.  The TF&E and the TF&F also operated amusement parks near Bascom and Arcadia to induce riders.  Meadowbrook Park in Bascom was originally owned by the TF&E.  

Two local historical train depots are currently owned by the Fostoria Rail Preservation Society (FRPS).  

In March, 2007, The Fostoria Rail Preservation Society (FRPS) purchased an historical local train depot in downtown Fostoria for $40,000.  The LE & W depot which was purchased through a Geary Foundation grant from Camp Fire USA - NW Ohio was originally built in the late 1880's.

Located at 128 W. North Street in Fostoria, the depot is currently under "refreshing" according to an FRPS officer.  However the depot has been so well-maintained by previous owners that meetings and local events are being held in the facility as the freshening up process continues.

Beginning in January, 2008, the Fostoria Area Visitors Bureau will be opening their offices in the depot.  At that time, volunteers will begin to maintain weekend hours for public visitation of the facility.

Another depot which FRPS hopes to relocate and restore the New York Central depot which is currently in a distressed condition.

 

Today
Today, trains are still an indelible part of the Fostoria landscape. In fact, over 180 trains a day pass through our town, making it one of the most attractive locations in the United States for rail fans.

 

The Future
Future plans include development of the Fostoria Iron Triangle Rail Park which sits at the Iron Triangle.  Plans include two pavilions, a small kiosk and a mulch-covered walking trail.

FRPS also has a former New York Central Railroad depot it wants to move to the site. A building remains on the property which also will have to be removed as part of the improvements.

A railroad museum, a hotel and a restaurant are also on the drawing board, but that would require acquiring additional land in the area and additional money.

Ohio Department of Transportation got on board and awarded the city more than $800,000 in grant money for the Fostoria Iron Triangle Rail Park.

The $815,760 grant, will roll in during the 2010-11 budget cycle to transform the former Boneyard into a park for rail enthusiasts.

"This will be a phenomenal boost to our local economy," Mayor John Davoli said, adding the park will increase tourism by providing a good place for people to come to town.

Several years ago the city got a $300,000 grant to clean up the Boneyard, a five-acre Brownfield site. It used that project as leverage for the ODOT grant. With the cleaning of the site almost complete, it is a perfect time for this grant to be awarded, Davoli said.