http://www.toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070907/NEWS17/709070360/-1/NEWS

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Article published September 7, 2007

 

Fostoria receives $815,760 federal grant toward 5-acre train park

 

FOSTORIA - Federal "transportation enhancement" funds will provide more than $800,000 toward converting an abandoned factory site in the city into a park where train enthusiasts may watch the 100 or more trains that traverse Fostoria on an average day, the Ohio Department of Transportation announced yesterday.

 

The $815,760 grant for the Fostoria Iron Triangle Visitors' Center represents the second-largest of 13 awards, exceeding $7.3 million statewide, that ODOT announced for the 2010-2011 budget cycle.

 

More at the link above:

 

I think this belongs in the "Official ODOT Wasteful Spending Thread"!

 

I realize enhancement funds are primarily for historic projects. But we have active, historic railroad stations in this state that are in need of investment, such as Sandusky and Elyria's NYC Depot. The investments could/should be for addressing delays resulting from Amtrak trains having switch back and forth between busy freight railroad tracks to access a lone station platform on just one side of the double-track railroad. And/or the investment could preface start-up of the Ohio Hub system with investments to historic stations like the two noted above or many others around the state that are in desperate need of funding just to stay structurally sound.

 

Denison's train museum also got an enhancement grant from ODOT. Seems ODOT is more interested in putting passengers trains in museums than on tracks for travelers.

I would say that calling it "wasteful" spending isn't quite deserving of that title.

 

Did anyone in Elyria or Sandusky ever apply for T-E $$$$ ?

 

Both Fostoria and Dennison did and they did so because both of their cities are nationally known destinations for railfans, who wind up staying over night and spending $$$ in their community.  The "Polar Express" train at Dennision brings thousands of visitors and sells out without even advertising.

The point is that they made a good case for economic development in selling their project's eligibility for TE funds and they got the $$$$.

 

That said, you are absolutely correct in saying that cities with active and historic train stations like Elyria and Sandusky should be able to get funds for needed improvements.  But if they didn't make the effort to go after the funding, how is ODOT going to know they even have a need?

 

I think they ought to be talking to ODOT about how they can get in the game and making a case for spending more T-E dollars on projects that actually do something to improve transportation. They could probably make a very good case for changing the criteria.

 

 

Elyria and Sandusky wouldn't even know why it's important to make the applications, or for what.

I think somebody who's motivated needs to be educating those folks.  Know anybody?

You mean like Amtrak? NS? They are the ones most directly affected by the single platforms at Sandusky, Elyria, Bryan, Waterloo, Elkhart, South Bend, Hammond/Whiting ... not to mention all of the single platform stations on CSX's double-track line across New York state.

 

Why should All Aboard Ohio have to be the one to fix so many problems, deficiencies, shortcomings, etc.? What happens if All Aboard Ohio runs out of money? Or some of us leave Ohio for greener pastures? Who's gonna mind the store?

Logically speaking, this is a role for All Aboard Ohio, but realistically, they are stretched thin. Still, there should be an effort made. You never know what might happen.

 

I think KJP is being a bit too pessimistic here. I recall representatives from Elyria being interested enough to show up at a meeting in Columbus on that very topic. And there has been work done at both Sandusky and Elyria.

 

Maybe the thing to do would be for AAO and ORDC to jointly approach local leaders and see what happens.

 

I think they ought to be talking to ODOT about how they can get in the game and making a case for spending more T-E dollars on projects that actually do something to improve transportation. They could probably make a very good case for changing the criteria.

 

 

The critical criteria that must be shown for the TE program is that a project has a “direct and identifiable relationship to surface transportation.”  Given that, the rehabilitation of historic train stations are eligible.  In fact, I know the restoration of the Outville/Kirkersville train station was funded via the ODOT TE program.  For some reason I am thinking that the Toledo received TE funds in their restoration, but I could be wrong on this.  What generally trips up local communities that apply for these funds is coming up with the required 20 percent match for construction funds and the preliminary design work (preliminary engineering, environmental studies, right-of-way acquisition, etc).  In other words, ODOT will provide 80 percent of the construction costs, the locals are responsible for the remaining costs.  Although I think ODOT will provide some help in the environmental studies.

 

As for the specific cases of Elyria or Sandusky, only the local authorities can apply for the funds.  AAO could certainly provide advocacy and local support, but AAO would not be an eligible applicant.  Not knowing the who actually owns the stations, I would assume only the cities would be the eligible applicants.

 

Rail park plans on track

By MARIAH MERCER

FEATURES WRITER

 

The Fostoria Iron Triangle Rail Park is one step closer to reality. The collaboration of city officials and rail fans has resulted in a preliminary conceptual drawing of the proposed tourist destination.

 

"We're on the right track and all on board for the project," said Mayor John Davoli.

 

City officials hosted a public hearing regarding the project last month and provided the Fostoria Rail Preservation Society with the plans for feedback from a variety of fans.

 

The FRPS received hundreds of responses to a survey to determining what railroad fans want in a downtown train viewing park.

 

Full story at:

 

http://www.reviewtimes.com/Issues/2009/Dec/02/ar_news_120209_story1.asp?d=120209_story1,2009,Dec,02&c=n

Isn't Fostoria in NW Ohio?

Rail fans on track for favorite pastime

By CHANDRA NIKLEWSKI

STAFF WRITER

Fostoria Review-Times

 

Factories have left and citizens have moved, but there is one fixture that remains steadfast: the presence of rail fans.

 

Rail fans are people who love everything about trains and enjoy watching them race by while up close and personal at the railroad tracks. Always respectful of the fierce danger trains can represent, they stay far enough away to remain safe, but close enough to feel the vibrations of the powerful machines.

 

Full story at: http://www.reviewtimes.com/Issues/2010/Sep/13/ar_news_091310_story1.asp?d=091310_story1,2010,Sep,13&c=n

Rail Fest on track

 

By CHANDRA NIKLEWSKI

STAFF WRITER

 

The automobiles are bringing people to Fostoria. The trains are what attracts them. And now the planes will entertain them.

 

The Fostoria Rail Preservation Society secretary-treasurer Ellen Gatrell said the Fostoria Rail Festival, scheduled 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 25, has grown every year and she does not expect the ninth year to be any different.

 

"Every year we're adding more and more. As time goes on, we're building it up," Gatrell said.

 

Full story at: http://www.reviewtimes.com/Issues/2010/Sep/16/ar_news_091610_story1.asp?d=091610_story1,2010,Sep,16&c=n

Fostoria will hold a groundbreaking on Friday, at 11:00 AM Sept. 23rd for the Iron Triangle Rail Park.