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Post by jimk on Jul 11, 2020 19:50:27 GMT
Good afternoon, I am wondering if someone on board could provide me with a good contact for the New York Central Railroad Historical Society? E-Mail, snail mail, passenger pigeon; whatever it takes.  Sometime back on another forum I tried and came up blank. My reason for wanting to contact them is to ask for help in saving the Jackson Street Tower in Fostoria Ohio. This tower was the first to use CTC anywhere. This was back in the NYC days. It now sits a little off the CSX main but according to the Fostoria Rail Preservation Society CSX does not claim ownership. The city doesn't claim it either so the building is pretty much just wasting away. Since it does have a history I have bugged folks in Fostoria about this but it is a big item for them to take on. Anyhow, I would like to ask the NYCRHS if there is any interest in helping to save the building. Thanks for your time. Jim K |
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Post by RailCat on Jul 12, 2020 2:15:15 GMT
Jim, you might try the National New York Central Railroad Museum...located in Elkhart, Indiana.
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Post by jimk on Jul 12, 2020 17:25:41 GMT
Jim, you might try the National New York Central Railroad Museum...located in Elkhart, Indiana.
Thank you,
Jim K
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Post by jimk on Aug 16, 2020 1:07:37 GMT
Jim, you might try the National New York Central Railroad Museum...located in Elkhart, Indiana.
Thank you,
Jim K
For the record the NYC Museum in Elkhart is not affiliated with the NYCSHS. I spoke with a nice lady there who knew that and who gave me the address for the New York Central System Historical Society. Jim K
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Post by 4dogsinjersey on Aug 16, 2020 22:10:59 GMT
It will likely take a local effort to preserve something like this. Usually historical groups that are national in scope do not partake in hands on preservation. Look for a nearby historical group that may be willing to undertake a preservation project...
Tom
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Post by jimk on Sept 2, 2020 18:53:40 GMT
Thanks. There is, of course, the very local Fostoria Railroad Preservation Society but they are stretched pretty thin with present projects. But I have and will keep in touch with them.
Jim K
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Post by 4dogsinjersey on Sept 2, 2020 20:39:11 GMT
That is a better bet as they have local connections. You may have to join up and take command of the project! Curious to see how it works out. There is an old tower on the Erie mainline, at Waldwick NJ. It was neglected by the railroad for years. Finally a small local group worked out some arrangement with NJT and restored the tower. They Basically saved it. Maybe they can give some pointers about the ins and outs of such a project... www.allaboardwaldwick.org/Tom |
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Post by jimk on Sept 4, 2020 19:12:55 GMT
That is a better bet as they have local connections. You may have to join up and take command of the project! Curious to see how it works out. There is an old tower on the Erie mainline, at Waldwick NJ. It was neglected by the railroad for years. Finally a small local group worked out some arrangement with NJT and restored the tower. They Basically saved it. Maybe they can give some pointers about the ins and outs of such a project... www.allaboardwaldwick.org/Tom Tom, I have been in touch with and am a sustaining member of the Fostoria Railroad Preservation Society for several years. What seems to be a big hurdle on having them take control of that tower is no one claims to own the property or the tower. They actually want to buy it but can't get that done. They worked with CSX about it and all CSX would say is that they do not own the tower or property. With the NYC/Penn Central debacle this item may have gotten lost in the shuffle. I find it difficult to believe there is property and a structure but no one can claim it. The FRPS has worked with the city of Fostoria to get this cleared up but it hasn't come about. I offered to pay for the legal work associated in getting the tower to the FRPS as the city was balking at spending time doing that. I have called, sent written letters and e-mailed the mayor. No answer. I wonder if there is a title search company that would do this? My reason for contacting the NYCSHS was to just get some help with that. The president responded and got out his Google maps and said all he could find was the property was shown as "railroad property". Jim K
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Post by 4dogsinjersey on Sept 4, 2020 21:10:36 GMT
Interesting. It could be a situation where the tower and property are still owned by the Penn Central corporation. After the railroads failed and were included in Conrail, many properties were not included in the absorption. The parent company retained ownership. This may be why Conrail’s penchant for tearing down buildings never affected this tower.
You might check property tax rolls with the town it is located in. Someone is probably paying taxes on it. If not, you may be able to force a tax sale and obtain ownership....
Tom
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Post by jimk on Sept 6, 2020 16:12:19 GMT
Interesting. It could be a situation where the tower and property are still owned by the Penn Central corporation. After the railroads failed and were included in Conrail, many properties were not included in the absorption. The parent company retained ownership. This may be why Conrail’s penchant for tearing down buildings never affected this tower. You might check property tax rolls with the town it is located in. Someone is probably paying taxes on it. If not, you may be able to force a tax sale and obtain ownership.... Tom Tom, Thanks for some direction. In working with the FRPS they said they could not find where any taxes were being paid for a long time. Now I don't know if there is some reluctance of the town or county to pursue this or what. They contacted CSX and they said nope, not there property. But it seems to me that the county MUST have a record of ownership. Not sure where to go next. A fellow from the Waldwick group got back to me and offered up it should belong to the adjacent railroad. We are to talk next week. Thanks. Jim K
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Post by 4dogsinjersey on Sept 6, 2020 18:46:04 GMT
Thanks for the update. Another group to contact would be the Western New York Railway Historical Society. The own many building and pieces of rolling stock. They have pretty good luck obtaining properties. They are very New York Central oriented and lots of experience. They have a number of contact points that you can access. Just be a little patient waiting for an answer... www.trainweb.org/wnyrhs/Finally, can the town the tower is in, condemn the property and take it with eminent domain? That may be another approach. They can then lease it to the restoration group for 99 years. I am far from being an expert on this issue, but I have experienced some similar situations with railroad historical societies. I hope this info helps! Tom |
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Post by 4dogsinjersey on Sept 6, 2020 18:49:45 GMT
PS....many railroad properties that are abandoned, by deed, are to revert to the original, adjacent land owner. Most railroads were built on property taken by eminent domain from the original owners. Maybe another angle to check out....
Tom
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Post by jimk on Sept 6, 2020 22:36:50 GMT
PS....many railroad properties that are abandoned, by deed, are to revert to the original, adjacent land owner. Most railroads were built on property taken by eminent domain from the original owners. Maybe another angle to check out.... Tom Tom, Thanks for the insights. Jim K
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Post by jimk on Sept 15, 2020 0:31:12 GMT
Tom, Thanks for the link up with Curt............ is it Curt Spring? I would like to clone him and put him in Fostoria for about 3 months............ giving him time off to enjoy the area. I am sure he'd get things done! I will be leaning on him in the future I'm sure. What a resource.  Jim K |
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Post by 4dogsinjersey on Sept 16, 2020 2:06:19 GMT
Oh, Curt Springstead. I had no idea who he was. I just know they did exceptional work on their tower.
I really hope things progress for you. Don’t be hesitant to contact anyone involved with this type of preservation, as more minds, the better!
Tom
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Sometime back on another forum I tried and came up blank. My reason for wanting to contact them is to ask for help in saving the Jackson Street Tower in Fostoria Ohio. This tower was the first to use CTC anywhere. This was back in the NYC days. It now sits a little off the CSX main but according to the Fostoria Rail Preservation Society CSX does not claim ownership. The city doesn't claim it either so the building is pretty much just wasting away. Since it does have a history I have bugged folks in Fostoria about this but it is a big item for them to take on. Anyhow, I would like to ask the NYCRHS if there is any interest in helping to save the building. Thanks for your time.
