Background: Back in 1991 a small group of railroad enthusiasts gathered around the old steam locomotive languishing on the Toledo waterfront and asked: what can we do to save this artifact for future generations, and also tell about the distinguished local history that it symbolizes? With an abundance of volunteer energy and enthusiasm, the buy-in of our local partners and friends, and a little luck, over the years we’ve seen a remarkable evolution to this point.
Accomplishments: With the help of the City, we have been able to create a site at the corner of “A” and 1st Streets next to the Toledo Post Office to position our rolling stock for public viewing. We have renovated a donated 1907 wooden caboose into an office. We have painted the locomotive and raised funds to build a canopy to protect it from the relentless pounding of our coastal winters. Literally tons of railroad and timber tools and equipment have been donated and warehoused over the years, with an eye to showcasing them in a fitting setting someday.
