On July 20th, Toledo, Lake Erie & Western Railway was host to some 268 persons and over 70 cars from The Willy's Overland Knight Registry antique car group. This international car club group specialized in the famous "Willy's Jeeps". Car owners traveled from all across the US and as were from areas as far away as Australia, South Africa and Canada.

The trip takes 40 minutes and includes a spectacular view from our 900-foot long bridge over the Maumee River and the old Miami and Erie Canal (now the millrace for the historic Isaac Ludwig Mill in Providence Metropark).

TLEW wishes to thank the Henry County REACT Team who supported the railroad by providing security to the cars while their owners visited, shopped and toured the sites of Grand Rapids. Additional REACT Team members also assisted with the passengers on board the train.

The car owners were provided parking at the corner of Wapakoneta & Third Streets while touring Grand Rapids.

The group also visited the Issac Ludwig Mill and took a trip on the Miami & Erie Canal Boat where volunteers dressed in authentic clothing that representing its period of operation greeted them.

At about 12:00 P.M., the group parked their cars at the Grand Rapids Sportsman Club and boarded the Bluebird at the corner of Jeffers Road. Traffic was temporally stopped along State Route 24 as the cars turned down Jeffers Road to board the Blue Bird passenger train.

Rita's Dairy Bar & Deli provided over 268 lunches for the train passengers. The lunches contained a sandwich, succulent picks and potato chips. Soft drinks, ice tea and water were available for refreshments.

In the afternoon, the car owners parked their cars on TLEW railroad property at the corner of Wapakoneta & Third Streets. Under the trustful eyes of the Henry County REACT Team, the car owners were able to spend the afternoon shopping and touring Grand Rapids merchants and the Grand Rapids Canal area sites.

TLEW expresses a BIG THANK YOU to the Henry County REACT teams, Issac Ludwig Mill volunteers, Miami & Erie Canal Boat volunteers, Rita's Dairy Bar, Grand Sportsman Club and the American Legion. Your cooperation and joint ventures made this International Willy's Jeep Car Club welcomed to our community an success. Lets us not forget all of the Grand Rapids Merchants. They too contribute to the success of each of us individually.

On September 7, 2001, another car club the "Horseless Carriage Club" will be visiting Grand Rapids. Reservations now exceed some 120 persons and 50 horseless carriage type of cars.

Last year, TLEW hosted persons from such over sea countries as England, France, Germany, India, and Johannesburg, South Africa. Within the United States persons came from California, Colorado, Kansas, Michigan, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Alaska, Flordia, Texas, ....

This year, we have had persons from Canada, England, Germany, Ireland, the Ukraine in Russia, Oregon, New Jersey, and many local organizations from Northwest Ohio.

Regarding the repairs to our Ludwig Culvert. The culvert has served the railroad for some 125 years. The culvert suffered some damage during one of the storms we experienced this . The designs for repair have been completed and the piping contractor has the piping ready for delivery. We are awaiting governmental approval. The clearing of the site is soon to begin. It is expected that it will take 4 to 6 weeks of construction to complete the repairs. TLEW wishes to thank everyone for your patience as we proceed with the repairs.

Thanks to the generosity of the American Legion, the train has been boarding from Yawberg Road. The trip consists of a one-hour trip from Yawberg Road to Hertzfeld Road, back to Ludwig Road and returning to Yawberg Road. Many residences along the tracks have been very helpful in the railroads time of need. We at TLEW appreciate your support.

William R. Linebaugh, President
Toledo, Lake Erie & Western Rwy.