Hello Everyone,

The American Steam Railroad and its project #1352 are in need of your help. This is one of the most easiest ways to help us reach a 25% matching funds for our project. We have Fathers Day Train trips on June 18, 19 and 20th on the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway in Nelsonville, Ohio. We need 300 more people come out and ride with us to make our 25% match for #1352. This means we could get an extra 5,000 toward our project if we can find 300 more people come and ride with us over the 3 days. Ticket can be purchased in advance and are 16.00 for adults and 10.00 for children 12 and under or purchase the day of on a first come first serve bases. Please pass this on as we are so close to reaching this goal.

Train Ride Description:

ASR presents family train rides that won’t break the bank! Take a trip on the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway, traveling on the tracks of the former Columbus and Hocking Valley Railway. This once-famous line ran from the Ohio River and the coal fields of southeastern Ohio through the Hocking Hills to Columbus and on to the ports at Toledo, providing a gateway for shipping down the Maumee River. This year we’ll be taking a trip on the section that ran from Logan to Nelsonville, now better known as the Hocking Valley Scenic Railway. This 1.5 hour round trip takes you through the heart of the Hocking Hills in Athens and Hocking counties. Pulled by a historic diesel locomotive, you’ll relax in vintage passenger cars as you watch the Ohio countryside flash by. We’ll also be stopping at Robbins Crossing, an 1840’s pioneer village along the route. Your visit to the railway can be part of a great family getaway weekend in the beautiful Hocking Hills. Bring the whole family out on Father’s Day weekend for an affordable ride into yesteryear!

The American Steam Railroad Preservation Association is a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to preserving, restoring, and operating historic railroad equipment. ASR is currently raising money to move its first project, St. Louis – San Francisco Railway 2-8-2 steam locomotive #1352, to Ohio for complete rebuild to operating condition. More information about ASR can be found at

http://www.americansteamrailroad.org/HockingValley.aspx

Best Regards,

Steven M Harvey
Chairman and CEO
American Steam Railroad Preservation Association, Inc
Web: http://www.americansteamrailroad.org
E-Mail: contact@americansteamrailroad.org
Voice Mail Question Line: 614-559-3807

I am unable to attend but made a donation in the amount of one adult ticket. It would be good if your information was more specific on what is happening with the money. I am unclear if it is to purchase the locomotive, more the locomotive, or start restoration. If we are helping buy, move, or restore the locomotive (I'm assuming all of the above) tell us how much is is going to cost and how close we are to that goal. I think more people might be apt to donate if these details were more clear. Many organizations use something like a thermometer or graph that gets more full as the donations come in. It has a positive impact on getting donations, especially once things get rolling.

Tom,

Thank you from ASR for your support of our project with the purchase of the adult ticket. We are in the midst of Phase I of our project which entails raising funds to move 1352 from Illinois to Ohio. In addition to the funds needed to pay for move itself, we will be in need of volunteer help to prep the locomotive for its move. Our desire and Plan A is to move her on her own wheels while Plan B would be to crane or jack her up to load on an oversize dimensional load flat car. Once 1352 is in Ohio, we will embark on Phase II which will be raising funds for the actual restoration of the locomotive.

All,

Keep watching our website for updates. In addition to the Father's Day trips on the Hocking Valley Scenic RR, we have a few more special events planned for the year. We are having a blast partnering with various scenic railroads in Ohio and look forward to a great 2010. Come on down the Hocking Valley Scenic next weekend if you can (Tom, you're off the hook of course!) and meet the gang. Steve, Bill, Tim, myself and a few others will be there in some combination between the Friday night trains and the Saturday and Sunday trains as well selling tickets and helping host everyone on the train. Many thanks to HVSR for helping us officially kick off our fund raising campaign. They truly are a great bunch of railroaders working to keep the history of railroading alive and well in Southeast Ohio. This area of the state is truly beautiful with a lot to offer in the line of family entertainment and attractions.

Volunteers and financial support are always welcome and as always, thank you for your interest in our project.

Sincerely,

Rob Gardner