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]