| JANUARY 1, 2002 |
| The construction has begun. The newly named Chessie System Fremont Subdivision enjoyed it's ground-breaking ceremony today as the Yard Master and Chief Engineer of the Fremont Sub, Neil Huss, drove the golden shovel into the ground, bringing up the first scoop of soil on the project. The 8.9 mile local division will allow rail service for the industries in Fremont for the first time in the town's history. The estimated one hundred dollar project will be connected to the Chessie mainline to the north of Fremont and the Norfolk and Western mainline to the south, allowing long distance rail transportation a reality and bringing the possibility of passenger service to the cities of Toledo, Bellvue, Fostoria, Columbus, and even Cleveland. This could bring in tourists and business, which in turn, could boost the economy and industrial expansion in the area. |
| JANUARY 12, 2002 |
| The final mainline track sections were laid today, leaving only the sidings to be completed. Officials say the sidings should be in place by the end of this week. The freight depot is being constructed as well near the southern siding. Although it is still currently just a frame of its future self, you can almost hear the yard engine rumbling as it waits for a local switching task. The depot will serve both the mainline and yard siding. Railfans can already be seen snapping photos of the track construction and rail equipment, hoping this will be the start of a railfanning hotspot. |
| JANUARY 14, 2002 |
| After a quick start, a delay has been announced in the construction of the new railroad. Yard Master nad Chief Engineer Neil Huss has announced that construction will be halted as he is leaving for a vacation from the beginning of February to the middle of the month. Construction should resume upon his return, and the delivery of the remainder of the needed supplies. |
| FEBRUARY 22, 2002 |
| After a delay in construction and a return from vacation, work has continued on the Chessie's Fremont Sub. The track has been totally built, and the final ballast pouring is taking place. A disappointing situation has occrued, however. The funds used to supply the construction are nearing zero. The ballast cannot be finished until more can be purchased and delivered. As it stands now, the only thing keeping the rails from being completed are ballast operations, signalling systems, and final rail inspections and testing. Neil Huss stated that he expected the work to get back on schedule "In a week or two, when more money can become available." |
| ~FREMONT NEWS HERALD~ |
| Updates |
| MARCH 10, 2002 |
| After a slump in the construction due to lack of funds and supplies, the work has somewhat continued. While final ballast work has yet to be done, the rail inspection teams have tested the rails on the tracks and have given the local railroad the green light to start up operations when the final ballast has been laid. Chessie expects the subdivision to ready for its first operations at the end of March, or early April. Fremont Industry Assosciation Spokesman Ted Dungenson stated the this railroad should create an economic boom in the area since it now has rail service, something the Fremont industries have been missing for quite some time. |
| MARCH 21, 2002 |
| The Chessie System Railroad has announced a major breakthrough for the Fremont Subdivision. Norfolk & Western Railway has been given secondary trackage rights in the Fremont Sub. This will allow the N&W to run trains on the Fremont Sub. With two railroads serving Fremont, the town can expect to see increased traffic on the mainline. Norfolk & Western has announced that they will be servicing Fremont with a once-daily passenger train to Toledo. Also, they have annonced that three freight trains will run through daily. Chessie has made an official announcement regarding its rumors passenger service in Fremont. It will be offering a connection to Fostoria, Ohio. With this connection, passengers can travel from Fremont to Fostoria, where they can pick up one of the many various other passenger services offered by the railroads that go through that town. |
| APRIL 3, 2002 |
| The Chessie System has completed it's track construction and testing and has announced that the first train will enter Fremont's new Subdivision on April 5, 2002 at approximately 12:00 noon. The first train into the town will be a freight from Sandusky, Ohio to Fostoria, Ohio. The train will also be dropping off the locomotive that has been assigned to the local switching duties. The first passenger train will be the Buckeye serviced by the Chessie System after it acquired the route from Baltimore & Ohio. It will still have teh B&O passenger cars as the route is brand new, and Chessie has not had the time to get coaches of their own. This service will connect Cleveland, Sandusky, Fremont, Fostoria, Findlay, Columbus, and Dayton. There is still some work to be done in downtown (where the tracks pass through town) as stations and building rennovations need to be completed. |