Fostoria Iron Triangle Railpark

Though once a booming site for the glass industry, hosting more than five seperate factories, Fostoria, Ohio, is now known for a much different attraction: railway viewing.

Fostoria is home to a unique intersection of routes that has long made it of interest to train fans. The first was developed by the newly-formed Fremont and Indiana Railroad in 1853—a year before the town itself was created via the merging of the communities of Rome and Risdon. Additional lines were added in 1872 by the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway and a year later, in 1873, by the Baltimore and Ohio, connecting the East Coast and Chicago. By the 1880s, another line added by the Nickel Plate railroad would work to form what is now known as the Iron Triangle, the triangular space when these three lines meet.

Today, the Iron Triangle boasts a 360-degree view of the 100+ trains that still pass through Fostoria, now operated by the CSX and Norfolk Southern rail companies. There is also a viewing shelter and multiple picnic areas, which are maintained by the Fostoria Rail Preservation Society. Railroad fans will also be eager to visit many of the historic depots and buildings that stand as a testament to Fostoria’s long rail-centric history.