Assaulted in Fostoria

[t.winx]

Hey all,

Was in Fostoria on Saturday, in my car right off Columbus Ave at the NS- CSX diamonds. Two guys came by and apparently were very offended with me sitting there. I didn't have time to react to them getting close cause I had my eyes closed and was reclined in the seat, so I opened my eyes to see them standing right outside my car and I had my windows down. Before I knew it one of the guys was threatening me with a gun (well, he at least pretended to) under his shirt, demanding my money. I was completely shocked they would do this in front of passing cars in broad daylight. I refused to give them anything and told them how big of idiots they were for doing this. They didn't like the sound of that, so one guy reached inside my car and grabbed what he could, which happened to be my piece of crap flip phone, then punched me in the face and set off running.

I talked to the police and they said this is the first time a railfan has been assaulted here, but that they weren't surprised one bit with it.

I was so angry they messed up my time of railfanning there more than anything, and now I'm not even sure if I will be going back. I've been watching trains for years, taking naps in my car for years, in rough neighborhoods for years, and now I will always have this memory in the back of my mind on future trips. I know I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, but still, I know there is always the possibility now. Not fun....

But I am so thankful, this could have ended a lot worse. I keep imagining what would have happened if they came by at 2am and I been covered in blankets.

Take care, railfans

[AARR]

Thanks for letting us know. A good reminder for everyone to beware.

I was assaulted a couple summers ago in downtown Toledo in the middle of the afternoon. Fortunately, the young man was incompetent and I easily avoided the attack. But, like yourself t.wink, it was a strange time and place to be mugged.

The robbers in OH need lessons from Detroiters how to effectively commit crimes...and get away with it

[penn central]

Ill be there next weekend ill be on the lookout for these guys

[AARR]

Picture of AARR and penn central in crime fighting mode

[Y@]

This was the point I presented to that dumb *explative* Ellen this summer in Fostoria. The town is a complete craphole, and it will never be a successful railfan park.

Glad to hear you're okay, I would suggest not going back.

[penn central]

Picture of AARR and penn central in crime fighting mode

You got that right Don they don't stand a chance

[Typhoon]

I would suggest not going back.

Wow. If you stay away from every place where someone had an issue, you will live a very sheltered life. While I am sorry to hear about what happened, Fostoria is really not that bad, it always bothers me when the corn city crowd tries to make it sound worse than it is.

[Y@]

I would suggest not going back.

Wow. If you stay away from every place where someone had an issue, you will live a very sheltered life. While I am sorry to hear about what happened, Fostoria is really not that bad, it always bothers me when the corn city crowd tries to make it sound worse than it is.

You kidding me? Fostoria sucks. Sure there's a lot of trains, but holy crap, you're in the middle of the worst part of town. I've been approached by a hooker, threatened by a "gang," and approached by cops for being "suspicious." Fostoria is great for traffic, but other than that, it blows.

Go ahead and group me with the corn city crowd, call it what you may, many of them are my friends and yes, Deshler is a much nicer place to sit and watch.

[penn central]

I have done 24 HRS at Delray 24 HRS at Dolton Jct I have never been bothered by anyone yet but there is always that first time. The clock at Fostoria starts at 12:00 noon on Sunday to 12:00 noon on Monday.

[CSX Q109]

I have done 24 HRS at Delray 24 HRS at Dolton Jct I have never been bothered by anyone yet but there is always that first time. The clock at Fostoria starts at 12:00 noon on Sunday to 12:00 noon on Monday. If anyone wants to stop by come on down.

Are you in fostoria now?

[M.D.Bentley]

As a railfan It's good to carry more than a camera to shoot with. * DESCLAMER * this my personal opinion and it would be easier to spot some railfans by their limp.

[penn central]

I have done 24 HRS at Delray 24 HRS at Dolton Jct I have never been bothered by anyone yet but there is always that first time. The clock at Fostoria starts at 12:00 noon on Sunday to 12:00 noon on Monday. If anyone wants to stop by come on down.

Are you in fostoria now?

Will be heading down next weekend. If i have no problem with anybody it should be neat. I have been going to Fostoria since 1992, That Junction looks a lot different then it did back then.

[t.winx]

Like I said, I've been railfanning in rough neighborhoods for years. I never thought this could have happened to me, but it did. I could have been safer, and will be ready for next time, but the days of invincibility are over. I'm not sure I'll ever again try a 24 hour count if I am too tired to stay awake the entire time.

But Typhoon is right. These guys won't keep me from one of the most exciting railfanning experiences out there. I will just be better prepared next time.

[penn central]

I am also tossing around the idea of 24 hours at Vickers but i don't know if a person can park in that area any more without getting bugged by property owners or the police i have been going to Vickers since 1988 and have never did a full 24 hours there spent many nights in my car there train watching but not a full 24. The last time i spent a night at Vickers was 1998.

[Typhoon]

I would suggest not going back.

Wow. If you stay away from every place where someone had an issue, you will live a very sheltered life. While I am sorry to hear about what happened, Fostoria is really not that bad, it always bothers me when the corn city crowd tries to make it sound worse than it is.

You kidding me? Fostoria sucks. Sure there's a lot of trains, but holy crap, you're in the middle of the worst part of town. I've been approached by a hooker, threatened by a "gang," and approached by cops for being "suspicious." Fostoria is great for traffic, but other than that, it blows.

Go ahead and group me with the corn city crowd, call it what you may, many of them are my friends and yes, Deshler is a much nicer place to sit and watch.

So what that it is in the worst part of town, its Fostoria OH! How about a little perspective here. It is not like you are in worst part of Gary, IN, Englewood IL, Flint MI, Trenton NJ, or Compton CA! I have had all of the things you described happen to me while railfaning the "racetrack" in the western burbs of Chicago. I had a hooker come up to me at the La Grange Metra station, which is far from being a hood and I have seen little punk teenagers threaten a railfan in Downers Grove, which is the picture perfect town of white collar suburbia. After 9/11, good luck finding a railfan anywhere that hasn't been aprroached by a cop for being suspicious, it is unfortunate part of our hobby these days. As for Deshler being nicer, well that is your opinion, I for one would rather be approached by a hooker in Fostoria then put up with the foam in Deshler.

[JoJames]

I have been called to Fostoria numerous times in the wee hours of the morning. Never felt uncomfortable till i heard gun fire in the Poplar street area. The Fostoria Five 0 were on the scene very quick. You can be assulted anywhere these days.

[cr6903]

This was the point I presented to that dumb *explative* Ellen this summer in Fostoria. The town is a complete craphole, and it will never be a successful railfan park.

Several years back, I had an hour-long discussion with Ellen about the park. I tried to throw some ideas her way, rather than just mess with her(I've done that too). One of the things I had asked her was whose job it would be to police the park. I asked about security issues in general. She was as clueless about that as anything else. She didn't seem to think they would have a problem with drug deals, vandalism, graffiti, etc.
I have no idea where she came from, or why her life's mission is to build a park for something she knows nothing about.
Anyway, it could have been worse, but still a little scary. I'm not sure what I would do. I think about this kind of thing (or worse) happening, sitting possibly alone by the tracks.

Regarding Deshler, it could happen there too. I have been harrassed by the park bunch there, but it was all verbal. It could happen anywhere.

[MagnumForce]

I came very close to punching drunks in Deshler if it helps... Still love Deshler though! All I ever use Fostoria for is a base, I rarely spend any prolonged period there. Just grab a train and go.

[PAT.C]

THIS SITE CAN LEAD TO SOME GOOD SOLUTIONS FOR THE PROBLEM.
http://michiganccwclass.com/FirearmRela ... tions.html

THE AREA SURE HAS GONE DOWN HILL SINCE THEY MOVED THE ERIE-- SISTABLE

[pica]

Wow, I was also in Fostoria this past weekend. What time did this happen? I never go trainwatching must past dark. I've been going to Fostoria for like 13 years and have never had a problem. I always park at the Depot and sit there. Anyone who's been there knows that Depot gets pretty dark at night except for that light that goes on and off. I've always heard the stories about Fostoria but can honestly say I've never had a problem.