Fostoria, Ohio

Fostoria, Ohio

Best Western
1690 N Countyline St
Fostoria, OH 44830
419-436-3600

Changed from Holiday Inn Express to Best Western in 2006.

If you plan to railfan Fostoria’s Iron Triangle, the heaviest freight train traffic spot in
the Northeast, USA [160 trains a day], the Holiday Inn Express - Fostoria is great.

Although located about 2 miles away from the tracks on US 23, it is one of only three lodging
facilities in the area, and is unquestionably far and away the cleanest, newest, nicest, and
friendliest. It is also convenient to Fostoria’s “strip” of restaurants, chain stores, gas, etc.

Hotel has 52 rooms and is relatively new. Rate is $66.60 per night with AAA discount. Non-smoking
rooms available. A/C, heat, bathroom works fine. Room includes free continental breakfast in
alcove off lobby. There is a good Bob Evans Restaurant is nearby on US 23, along with Pizza Hut,
Chinese, italian and the regular fast-food places. You can’t see the tracks but the endless
parade of horns can be heard from the parking lot.

The General Manager caters to railfans, and even has a railfan sign-up guestbook, which promises
to send occasional e-mail notification of rail events in town. The hotel also has a town map,
a brochure on Fostoria’s railroad heritage, and sells railroad postcards.
Submitted by: Tom Nemeth 12.10.03

Days Inn
601 Findlay St
Fostria, OH
419-435-6511

Location Rating: T-D-x

I recently stayed at the Days Inn in Fostoria, Ohio which is on your list. In all
honesty, it does not offer great trainwatching on-site. The Norfolk Southern
(Nickel Plate) main and a small yard are across the highway (State Route 12).
The hotel sits about 50 feet or so off the highway, and there are several obstructions.
The hotel restaurant is in a seperate building between the hotel and the highway,
and would block the view of several rooms.

The room I was in did have a clear line of sight to the main, but only about 20 feet
of it or so, as there are several buildings adjacent to the tracks. Obviously you
can hear the trains quite well, and of course the scanner is quite busy, but one
can't sit back and enjoy trainwatching from this hotel. Having said that, the hotel
itself is clean, the people at the front-desk were very friendly, and if you haven't
been to Fostoria, I cant recommend it enough.

The CSX (B&O) Washington to Chicago, NS (NKP) Cleveland to St. Louis and CSX's
(C&O) Toledo to Columbus lines all converge in Fostoria and they all see heavy traffic.
Each line is double-tracked and each has an interchange with the other 2 lines.
Speed though town can be upwards of 60 MPH, and since everyone has to get clearance
from "F" Tower, you have ample notice of what is comming. Two Amtrak trains stop
in Fostoria as well (at the original B&O depot), albiet in the middle of the night.
submitted by: Kevin Lewis

Fostoria Motel
345 W Lytle Street
Fostoria, OH 44830
419-436-0515

Location Rating: R-D-1

The facility is on the south side of the 4-lane boulevard that roughly parallels the former
B&O and N&W through the southern part of town. It is 2 blocks south of the tracks; with no
direct view of trains. Horns can be heard at all times.

The Fostoria Motel is a dilapidated “mom and pop” facility, probably put up in the 1940s or
‘50s. To be charitable, it could be classified as a DUMP, ala the Bates Motel. The desk
clerk is cordial, and the rate is a reasonable $37 including tax. Credit cards accepted.
The facility has no amenities (restaurant, lounge etc.). For meals you’ll need to get on
US 23 and head north about 2 miles to the “strip area” north of town.

The place is barely suitable for the hardiest road warrior, perhaps only when nothing else
is available, or for those on a very limited budget . Definitely not acceptable for your
better half! I stayed there 11/20/03. Submitted by: Tom Nemeth 12.10.03