New Member: Fostoria Rail Preservation Society

Welcome new member, Fostoria Rail Preservation Society!

The Fostoria Rail Preservation Society (FRPS) became a non-profit in 2006. Their mission statement is to preserve, promote, and educate about Fostoria's importance in railroad history - past, present, and future. Railfans have traveled to Fostoria to watch the 80+ trains that travel through their Iron Triangle. Fostoria has three double-track mainline railroad tracks that cross each other, all within a half-mile area. Fostoria's concentration of railroads is exciting for railfans as they can view many trains.

FRPS began as a committee under the Fostoria Chamber of Commerce. The City of Fostoria wanted to build a railpark, so they surveyed railfans and applied for a grant from the ORDC (Ohio Rail Development Commission). When their application was accepted, it was the first time ORDC gave grant funding for an Ohio railpark.

When visiting, you can expect to see various train engines such as CSX, Norfolk-Southern, CP (Canadian Pacific), CN (Canadian National), BNSF (Burlington Northern Santa Fe), UP (Union Pacific), and others running through Fostoria. Fostoria is one of the busiest locations in Ohio. CSX and Norfolk-Southern are the two railroad corporations that are in Fostoria. The CSX tracks are called B&O (former Baltimore & Ohio) for the east-west tracks and C&O (former Chesapeake & Ohio) for the north-south tracks. Norfolk-Southern tracks are called NKP (former Nickle Plate) for their east-west tracks.

FRPS hosts many events at their LE&W Depot, which was built in 1878. Their events include monthly meetings, Santa at the Depot, Santa Wine & Cheese, and more. They also have a Rail Festival on the fourth Saturday in September at the Fostoria High and Elementary Schools; this year will be their 22nd annual event. They draw vendors and attendees from 16 states for their one-day train show. If you like trains, you will like Fostoria.

The Fostoria Rail Preservation Society (LE&W Depot) is located at 128 W North St. For more information and to stay up-to-date on their events, be sure to like them on Facebook and visit their website at fostoriairontriangle.com.