May, 2015 DEPOT NEWS FR OM PAIN ESVILL E The Depot Dispatch Leonard A. Kessler, Editor What’s New @ the Depot? Inside this issue: About the Museum 2 Current Events 2 Railfanning Day 3 Lincoln Funeral Train 4 Last Page 5 T he beautifully detailed operating layout that Division 5 built and donated to Farmpark, was recently looking for a new home. While it was part of the scene at Farmpark for more than ten years it now is no longer needed for what reason I am not aware. The good news is that the public will still be able to see it once again and operate it at the Painesville Railroad Museum. Mem- bers of the Depot removed the layout for Farmpark and transported it to the Painesville Depot the first week of May and it was up and running for our first Railfanning Day on Saturday May 16th, 2015. This permanent fixture will be available at all future events of the 2015 season and for many years to come. It consists of two gauges, “N” & “HO”, and covers the entire enclosed layout which measures eight foot by eight foot. Visitors can run either train by the simple push of a single button. Come join us at one of our many events this season and enjoy this magnificent display up close and personal. The Depot Dispatch Volume I Issue 3 Page 2 About the Painesville Railroad Museum: W estern Reserve Railroad Association (WRRA), a 501(c)3 non-profit, doing business as “The Painesville Railroad Museum”. The WRRA was formed in 1997 to save and restore the Painesville Depot. T he Depot was built in 1892 and opened in 1893 for the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railway. The station was used from 1893 to May 1, 1971. The Depot served many railroads in its time. The most famous was The New York Central Railroad. The Depot stopped seeing passenger trains in May, 1971 when Penn Central was formed into Conrail and Amtrak began. A fter passenger service stopped, the depot became a Greyhound Bus station from 1971 to 1987. After Greyhound, Conrail used the depot for storing signals and equipment. T he depot was eventually sold to Edward Dunlap, who wanted to convert the depot into a railroad themed restaurant. After two years of construction, he determined that the amount of money invested into the depot would not be returned back in five years. Dunlap decided to find a historical society to buy it and restore it back to its original glory. T he Lake County Historical Society looked at it and declined the offer as they had enough other projects they were already working on. The Western Reserve Railroad Association was formed to restore the depot back to her legacy of the New York Central days. The Painesville Railroad Museum plans to restore the depot to its original glory. Today there are still many projects left to be done. CURRENT EVENTS at or near THE DEPOT 625 Prospect St, Painesville, OH 44077 Depot Regular Meeting Painesville Depot Painesville, Ohio (meeting starts at 6 pm.) The Lincoln Funeral Train June 2 June 6 & 7 The Painesville Railroad Museum 475 Railroad Street Painesville, Ohio 44077 Paranormal Investigation June 12 The Painesville Railroad Museum 475 Railroad Street Painesville, Ohio 44077 Sunset Harbor Fundraiser July 13 Sunset Harbor Bar & Grille 625 Prospect St Painesville, Ohio 44077 Painesville Party in the Park July 17, 18 & 19 Painesville Public Square Painesville, Ohio 44077 Railfanning Day July 25 The Painesville Railroad Museum 475 Railroad Street Painesville, Ohio 44077 Division Annual Picnic The Painesville Railroad Museum 475 Railroad Street Painesville, Ohio 44077 August 8 The Depot Dispatch Volume I Issue 3 Page 3 First Railfanning Day @ the Depot O n Saturday May 16th, 2015 the Painesville Depot held it’s first of four scheduled Railfanning Days. Fortunately for the train enthusiasts, the weather was perfect for such an event, a little overcast, not too hot and no rain. Around one hundred visitors stopped by to enjoy the activities at the Depot and watching numerous freight trains passing the old stone building. The Depot provided a modest Bill of Fare for the guests that came down with a case of the hungries while enjoying a common bond, watching trains with other similar aficionados. There were even some unique antique cars in the parking lot in front of the station. If you were unable to attend this fun event, there still are three more Railfanning Days scheduled. On Saturday July 25th, 2015 where we will be picking the winning ticket for our “HO train set” raffle. On Sunday September 13th, 2015 the NETS train club will be holding one of their old fashion “Swap & Trade Meets” and on Saturday October 17th, 2015 which will be our last Railfanning Day of the 2015 season. So come and enjoy one or more of our events with our many other supporters while reliving the nostalgia of an outstanding railroad era. The Depot membership is open and looking for interesting people that just love trains. The Depot Dispatch Volume I Issue 3 Page 4 Leviathan and Lincoln Funeral Car by: Tom Pescha O n Sunday, May 24, 2015, Bob Frieden and I went on a road trip to the Lorain & West Virginia Railway Station, in Wellington, Ohio. I was anxious to see the Leviathan, 4-4-0 American Engine and the Lincoln Funeral Car and talk to the owners in person. These are the same engine and funeral car that are coming to our Station on June 6 and 7th. The funeral car was completed around April 24, 2015, just in time for the May 2 event in Springfield, Illinois. The funeral car is simply amazing. What a great job they did on building it. I can’t wait for us to display it at our station in Painesville. The Lake Shore Railway Association offered a six mile ride with the Leviathan pulling an open gondola car (converted for people) and one passenger car. Trent Alberts was the Engineer in training that day. You may know Trent as our friendly police officer from Lakeland Community College at many of our train shows. He is also a licensed engineer on the CVSR. The trip only took about forty-five minutes but was very enjoyable, as is any train ride. I can’t wait for this magnificent display to be at the Painesville Railroad Museum. Make sure you set a little time aside to step back into History. - Tom Pescha The Painesville Depot Newsletter Depot Membership as of May 1st, 2015 May, 2015 21 Electronic Version The Depot Dispatch The Depot Dispatch is an official publication of The Western Reserve Railroad Association, Painesville Depot, Painesville, Ohio. It is published approximately once a month and is posted on the on the Depot Website free of charge. An electronic version of the newsletter will be emailed to members and a hard copy will be available at the Depot. Information regarding The Depot Dispatch, Depot activities and events may be obtained by writing to 3257 Center Road, Perry, Ohio 44081 or sending an e-mail to [email protected]. The Depot Dispatch and Depot activities and special events are fund- ed by open houses, contributions, donations and annual fundraisers. All comments and opinions are welcome. Those views expressed in The Depot Dispatch do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions of the Western Reserve Railroad Association. The Western Reserve Railroad Association www.painesvillerailroadmuseum.org A 501(c)3 non-profit educational organization Dispatch Editor: `Leonar d Kessler 3257 Center Rd. Perry, Ohio 44081 (440) 417-6746 [email protected] President: Jim Wendorf 11381 Labrador Lane Concord, Ohio 44077 (440) 357-8890 [email protected] Vice-President: Tom Pescha 3942 E. 364 Street Willoughby, Ohio 44094 (216) 470-5780 [email protected] Secretary: Leonard Kessler 3257 Center Rd. Perry, Ohio 44081 (440) 417-6746 [email protected] Treasurer: Barry Uszko 763 North Ave Painesville, Ohio 44077 (440) 352-3892 June 6 & 7, 2015 Painesville Railroad Museum 501(c)3 non-profit 475 Railroad Street Painesville, Ohio 44077 www.painesvillerailroadmuseum.org 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Take a step back in time and relive history with a tour of a full size replica of the Lincoln Funeral Train. See the Steam Engine and Tender that powered this famous train and actually Tour the Funeral Car. Admission: $5.00 each (13 years old and above) , Sponsored by: National Model Railroad Association MCR – Division 5 Monday, July 13, 2015 5 to 8 p.m. Come and join us for an evening of great Hors d’oeuvres and the fellowship of railroad enthusiast at: Sunset Harbor Bar and Grill 625 Prospect Street Fairport Harbor, Ohio 44077 Cost: $10.00 Each Limited to only 50 guest Pre-sale only For Tickets, contact: Lake Counties ONLY lake front dining! Lenny Kessler 3257 Center Road Perry, Ohio 44081 Phone (440) 417-6746 [email protected] Direction: Enter Fairport Harbor via Rt. 535, Continue north onto East Street to the lake, Turn East onto Prospect Street. www.painesvillerailroadmuseum.org 501(c)3 non-profit at The Painesville Railroad Museum, 475 Railroad Street, Painesville, OH 44077 Spend a day RailFanning at the Painesville Depot Visit this Historical Train Depot The Depot opened in 1893 for the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Line The depot is on the CSX Main Line -Mile Post 153.2- Saturday, July 25, 2015 Sunday, September 13, 2015 Saturday, October 17, 2015 10:00 am to 5:00 pm Be sure to bring your Camera and a CHAIR! Food and Drinks available 216-905-0198 [email protected]
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