Viewing areas

A rail-viewing platform sits in the city's historic "Harbour Town" district in downtown Vermilion at Victory Park.  The platform feaures a deck, benches, a railfan information station and radio. Shops, restaurants and a wealth of historic architecture are all close by. Both NS (ex-CR, exx-PC, exxx-NYC) and NS (ex-N&W, exx-NKP) run parallel in Vermilion, coming from Cleveland.  Just west of downtown, NS/NKP heads south to Bellevue.   

At the Rotary Centennial Park, you can see where the Lake Shore Electric Railway crossed a bridge that spanned the Vermilion River. The western abutment of the former bridge is plainly visible just below along the riverbank. Widely known as the "Greatest Electric Railway in the United States," the flaming orange trolley cars of the Lake Shore Electric Railway transported people and freight for thirty-seven years (1901-1938) along the southern Lake Erie shores from Cleveland to Toledo often reaching speeds of sixty miles per hour. The interurban line played a primary role in the development of the western Cleveland suburbs and also carried throngs of summer visitors to Lake Erie recreation facilities. The power lines still standing along the system's right-of-way attest to the fact that it also assisted in bringing electric power to the entire region. All along the ex-CR and ex-NKP lines in the downtown area are terrific photo locations. 

The park also features an historical marker plaque highlighting Vermilion's railroad history.

Fantastic views from the Port Authority Public Boat Ramp Area.

This area will give you views from the south side of the tracks.