Kemper Rail Park
325 Monroe St.
Bellevue, Ohio 44811
The Kemper Rail Park is an outdoor train viewing platform that is maintained by the Mad River & NKP Railroad Museum. It consists of a raised platform with a canopy structure and picnic/bench-type seating. A Porta John is provided for convenience except in the winter months. Admission is not required to enjoy train watching from the Kemper Rail Park but donations are greatly appreciated.
Norfolk Southern rail traffic in this area is extremely busy and an occasional Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway train can be seen as well. Eastbound traffic consists of trains en route to Cleveland, Buffalo, Brewster, and Pittsburgh. Westbound traffic includes trains en route to Toledo, Detroit, Fort Wayne, St. Louis, and Chicago. Southbound traffic includes trains en route to Columbus, Cincinnati, and Portsmouth. Northbound trains heading to the coal docks and the yard in Sandusky, Ohio can also be viewed.
The Kemper Rail Park property was donated to the Mad River & NKP Railroad Museum by Steven Kemper in Memory of Henry David Kemper.
Union Pacific Big Boy in Bellevue
Union Pacific Railroad’s Big Boy No. 4014, the largest operating steam locomotive in the world, will venture to the East Coast this summer for America’s 250th anniversary.
As part of this tour the giant locomotive will passing through countless locations on its journey east to Philadelphia, PA. Much of the route through Indiana, Ohio Northern Pennsylvania and New York will find No. 4014 running on the old Nickel Plate Road mainline, now Norfolk Southern, between Fort Wayne, IN and Buffalo, NY via Bellevue, OH.
Sadly, there will be no public display days in Bellevue for the public to see Big Boy 4014 stationary. Instead the public will have to content themselves with Big Boy No. 4014 rolling by on the railroad.
The best place to watch it in Bellevue is at our Kemper Rail Park. Big Boy No. 4014 will travel both east and west on the return trip through town this summer. Please consult the Official Schedule for all dates, times, and locations. We have summarized the dates, times and locations relevant to the Big Boy being in Bellevue.
EASTERN TOUR
Saturday, June 6th
Train departs Fostoria IronTriangle Railpark at 2:30 pm with the final destination of Bellevue. Train would pass arrive in Bellevue roughly an hour to hour and half after departure.
Sunday, June 7th
Layover Day for Big Boy No. 4014 – NO PUBLIC ACCESS
Monday, June 8th
Big Boy No. 4014 departs Bellevue at 9 am. Train travels to Conneaut, Ohio.
WESTERN TOUR
Monday, July 13th
Train departs Conneaut, Ohio at 9 am.
Whistle Stop in Rocky River from 1-1:30 pm. Following departure it will run straight through to Fostoria, Ohio via Bellevue. Estimate 1-1.5 hour journey to Bellevue from Rocky River. No. 4014 will pass by the Kemper Rail Park that day.
Click image for interactive Rail.Guide map of Bellevue
Railroad Safety Tips
- Stay back at least 25 feet from all railroad tracks. This includes drones.
- Railroad tracks, structures, yards and right of way are private property – Please do not trespass.
- Never assume tracks are abandoned or inactive – ALWAYS expect a train.
- Be Aware of your Environment
