Updated w/Pictures Mad River & NKP Railroad Museum

Besides what Google and their website will tell you, I can say the last time I was there about 3 or 4 years ago I only had an afternoon and could have spent a day.  The collection of big equipment is good, mostly in decent to good repair, but it's all the little exhibits and artifacts that caught my attention and made me wish I had more time.  Hope you enjoy!

It is also at the west end of the Big Bellevue Yard (was NKP).    Lines radiate in 3 directions west I think.    There is a rail watching platform also across from the old tower.

In addition to what is in the museum grounds there is a 3 track yard just south of the museum that has a lot of equipment stored that belongs to the museum.

This place doesn't get nearly the credit it deserves in the railfan world.... many of the cars on the grounds have inside exhibits.I loved the restored r p o  mailcar...one car has the old c t c  panels from the former NYC Berea to Toledo ,ohio. Its more than worth spending a day here... plenty of manifest freights on the N.S. mainline too you can view. Whatever your interests, its a win-win decision to visit this place....

This place is a first class operation.  Paved walkways, nice selection of rolling stock and motive power and quite a few static displays.

Here are a few pictures to whet your appetite.

 This picture is from the viewing platform, looking north.

Tom

It looks like this will be a fun day trip.  Thanks

Any train stores nearby?  I'm traveling from south of Toledo.

Stockyard Express is about an hour east of Bellevue.  It is well worth the extra travel time.  Nice shop. Nice people.

Tom

Doug,

I don't know how it slipped my mind, but you are not going to be too far from Fostoria.  The Iron Triangle Rail Park is another first class operation that is well worth the visit.

Tom

Tom Densel posted:

Doug,

I don't know how it slipped my mind, but you are not going to be too far from Fostoria.  The Iron Triangle Rail Park is another first class operation that is well worth the visit.

Tom

I will be 15 min from Fostoria in Findlay.  I'll be going there

Doug,

Stockyard Express is a MUST SEE Shop.   Do yourself a favor and make the time to stop there.   Well Stocked, Nice Operating Layout and Very Friendly Folks to assist you.

Chief Bob (Retired)

If you have the time to travel east to Conneaut, OH there is a great RR museum housed in the old LS&MS  depot and features NKP 755 on display.  The depot is chock full of interesting displays as well as an operating HO layout.  It is not as extensive as the Mad River but worth the visit if time permits.

I had a good time visiting this Museum with my daughter. It was a hot day but we managed.

 I also visited an Old Depot in Michigan.  Several layouts inside and I talked to a member of the Northern Michigan Railroads club, i wish i had more time to visit. After I got home I realized I didn't take a picture of the depot, dah.

Doug

Doug N posted:

Tom Densel posted:

Doug,

I don't know how it slipped my mind, but you are not going to be too far from Fostoria.  The Iron Triangle Rail Park is another first class operation that is well worth the visit.

Tom

I will be 15 min from Fostoria in Findlay.  I'll be going there

My in-laws live in Findlay, we go there once a year. Its a 10 hour drive from NYC! My wife hates Findlay, small town girl left for the big city, she knows the only reason I say lets go visit your parents is so I can go to Fostoria!!! I spent days at the B&O station, loved it. There is a diamond in Findlay, if you didn't know. I also like to watch the street running by the Cooper Tire plant. It is served every day by NS. I love the trains out there but the food is horrendous!!!!

I would visit this museum often when I lived in  northern Ohio, such a great place to spend a couple of hours climbing on all of those engines and cars . Nothing like sitting in the cab of that Wabash F unit and watching a passing NS trains in and out of the yard. Well worth the visit.