Mad River & NKP Railroad Museum

This museum was originally dedicated as a lasting Bicentennial Project on June 25, 1976. Since that time it has grown to become the largest railroad museum in Ohio. The Mad River & NKP Railroad Museum - along with other Bellevue area attractions - has made Bellevue a tourism destination.

Fuehring was one of the primary founders of the museum. He was a dreamer, refusing to believe anything was impossible when it came to obtaining and preserving the history and lore of railroading for future generations.

After Fuehring's passing in October 2006, the officers and board of directors of the museum decided to honor his memory and devotion with this dedication. The ceremony will take place at 1 p.m. on June 21 at the museum on Southwest Street. The public is invited to attend and admission will be waived.

S.C. Tobias, vice chairman and chief operating officer from the Norwalk Southern Corporation, will participate in the ceremony. Tobias was the assistant superintendent in Bellevue in 1976 when the museum opened, therefore, having been a friend of the museum from the beginning. Tobias was recently named by "Railway Age" as the Railroader of the Year for 2008.

Tobias has also made arrangements for the Norfolk Southern business cars and F-unit locomotives to be at the museum on June 21.

This ceremony will occur just four days short of 32 years from the time Fuehring officiated at the original opening of the museum. Various dignitaries will also be participating, and following the ceremony musical entertainment will be provided by Steve Jeffris from Indianapolis, Ind., a friend to Fuehring and the museum.

The museum is open weekends and holidays in May and September and daily between Memorial Day and Labor Day from noon-4 p.m. Guided group tours are available by appointment.

For more information call 419-483-2222 or e-mail is madriver@onebelle vue.com.