MANTUA CLUB

Posted by Steve Zabor

Mantua Depot Project

moving forward.

It has been a LONG haul, but we are closing in on the last phase of the "interpretive signage" project for the Rail to Trail. Two interpretive signs were installed several years ago - one just east of the bridge over the river and the other in the parking lot behind McDonalds. Recently David, Dean and I installed two new directional signs pointing toward the Rotary Grove and the Esker Trail. One is at the corner of Orchard and Line.

In the last week, thanks largely to Tim Benner, we have acquired 4 31 foot rails, ten ties and a bunch of spikes and plates that were removed from the Norfolk right of way near Chamberlain Road and 82. The rails have 1056 on them so they were in place when the train was still running passengers between Warren and Cleveland. Tim Benner managed to get T&L trucking and F&S Automotive to help with the transport of the rails and ties. One of the pictures shows a forklift loading the ties onto the T&L flatbed. The other pictures show the ties and rails being unloaded at the depot. It was amazing to watch today as the material was unloaded. I cannot imagine how much this would have cost if we had to pay for the trucking and unloading. Let alone for the rails with a scrap value of at least $800 each.

We have work to do, but the end is in sight. Hopefully we will complete the installation by the end of June and can have a dedication at Art on the Hill which is also when the Park District Foundation has its Adventure Race so the town will be hopping.

Stay tuned.

Steve

Stephen L. Zabor, Ph.D.

Rotary District 6630 Governor 2011/12

Rotary District 6630 Vice Governor 2020/21

Board Member DMRC, ASGC, Portage Park District Foundation, Hiram Village Park and Recreation

Emeritus Professor of Economics and Environmental Studies, Hiram College
330-569-7063 (H)
330-569-4936 (M)