I have first hand knowledge that the Grand Rapids Electric Railway is considering some move in the future. Perhaps it is one of the few preservation efforts that are taking a realistic view and assessment, based on the news that several other museums are in financial and organizational trouble.

There has been no agreement or committment for ANY equipment to go to NORM.

Talks and negotiations are underway to investigate the 'possibility' of a relocation to a new site in Genoa, Ohio. So far that is just what it is and we should sit back and see what develops without spreading incomplete or innacurate info which in some way could mess up any arrangement.

There are a lot of factors to be considered and a lot of 'players' who might be involved in some way in partnering the agreement. All involved need to have some positive result in order for it to happen and be successful.

Bob Kutella

68trolley@comcast.net

> There has been no agreement or committment
> for ANY equipment to go to NORM.

I agree that discussing rumors as fact can be harmful. However, the NORM state the following on their website:

"NORM and Grand Rapid Electric Railway reach Historic Agreement

For the last thirty some years, the Northern Ohio Railway Museum (NORM) and the Waterfront Electric Railway, Inc. (WER, more recently known as the Grand Rapids Electric Railway) have been independently working towards similar goals of creating operating electric railway museums in the northern Ohio area. To date, both organizations have built fine facilities, but public operation has not yet begun at either.

To help attain our common goals WER is joining forces with NORM. WER has offered NORM all of its electric railway equipment and materials so that NORM can complete its demonstration railroad and begin public operation. This includes six electric cars and locomotives (one car is ready for public operation), enough overhead wire and hardware to build all of NORM's overhead and all of the components needed to build a substation to generate 600V DC power to run electric equipment. Also included are WER's excess track materials and signal equipment.

To prepare for this, NORM will construct its second car house. This will be similar in layout and size to the Anson W. Bennett Car House and will be built to the north of it. This second car house will give NORM indoor storage for an additional ten pieces of equipment including the six from WER. The new car house will also include indoor storage for car parts. The total cost is estimated at $95,000 with monthly payments just slightly higher than those of the Bennett building.

This is a very big step financially for NORM and your help is needed to make it happen. NORM must pay off the remaining $17,000 balance on the Bennett Car House. To make this a reality, one of NORM's members has created a challenge grant in which he will donate up to $8,500 if the rest of the membership donates the remaining $8,500. To date $1,500 has already been pledged or donated towards that amount. Your contributions to the CARBARN FUND will now be used to match this challenge. Each of your dollars will now be worth two!

Northern Ohio Railway Museum wishes to thank Charlie Sheets and the Waterfront Electric Railway for their generosity and for their foresight in furthering the preservation of electric transportation and the enlightenment of the public about its history and benefits.

Walt Stoner, President
Northern Ohio Railway Museum

Charlie Sheets, President
Waterfront Electric Railway, Inc."

It is clear that with both GRER and Trolleyville USA searching for new homes, and the continuing malaise at the Ohio Railway Museum, that a major restructuring of Ohio's railway museums will happen. It is important to discuss how these collections could be reorganized and matched with historic railroad sites.

Tom Cornillie


NORM and GRER reach Historic Agreement
rrhistorian@hotmail.com

The information I relayed came following a telephone call I had with Charlie Sheets yesterday. He approved my comments and reiterated that the Genoa Ohio deal is an active option, perhaps the the preferred course. He also indicated that there was some confusion due to the NORM announcement. I doubt he knew of or approved the use of his signature on the 'joint' announcement. It is interesting to note that NORM continues to use the many year old designation of Waterfront Electric Railway which is long defunct.

Feel free to take it or leave it. I did do some homework following the original post to try to get accurate info at the source. I am sure Charlie would respond personnally but has no internet access at this time.

Bob Kutella


68trolley@comcast.net

> The information I relayed came following a
> telephone call I had with Charlie Sheets
> yesterday. He approved my comments and
> reiterated that the Genoa Ohio deal is an
> active option, perhaps the the preferred
> course. He also indicated that there was
> some confusion due to the NORM announcement.
> I doubt he knew of or approved the use of
> his signature on the 'joint' announcement.
> It is interesting to note that NORM
> continues to use the many year old
> designation of Waterfront Electric Railway
> which is long defunct.

> Feel free to take it or leave it. I did do
> some homework following the original post to
> try to get accurate info at the source. I am
> sure Charlie would respond personnally but
> has no internet access at this time.

> Bob Kutella

Bob:

There was also a recent FLIMSIES report of some opposition (and also some support) by Genoa, Ohio residents at a meeting on the proposal.


midlandblb@cs.com

> Bob:

> There was also a recent FLIMSIES report of
> some opposition (and also some support) by
> Genoa, Ohio residents at a meeting on the
> proposal.

See flimsies (9-1-03) for the latest news


lamontdc@adelphia.net