Info Wanted On Erie Lackawanna 1962 Mystery Excursion

[pajrr]

Hi, I saw a flyer dated Feb 18, 1962. A special Erie Lackawanna train was going to run from Akron, Kent, Ravenna and Youngstown Ohio to a mystery location. The trip was sponsored by Midwest Railway Historical Foundation. Does anyone remember this trip? I was wondering where it actually ran to. Thank you for any information anyone can provide.

[wanswheel]

Excerpt from ad in Massillon Evening Independent, Feb. 9, 1962

Leave Akron 9:20 a.m. from Erie-Lackawanna Depot. Return at 9:30 p.m. There will be a grand tour of a large town, where, via bus you will tour the plant of a large manufacturing company, and a bus tour of the historical spots in the area. Also a visit to one of the finest museums in the nation.

[Firelock76]

Holy smoke, I just knew Wanswheel would come up with something.

Brother Wanswheel, you NEVER fail to amaze!

[wanswheel]

Excerpt from Massillon Evening Independent, Feb. 7, 1964

Mystery Tour Sunday, Feb. 16, 1964 via Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. Fourth Annual Mystery Tour – The Midwest Railway Historical Foundation is scheduling another Mystery Trip. This year we will travel to a new Mystery City that is rich in history and famous for its education. The train will take you to Mystery City, then by sight-seeing bus for a three hour tour of the area. An experienced driver-lecturer will note the points of interest along the way. Stops willl be made at several of the historical spots, plus a stop for dinner. Our Mystery City is a place of marked contrasts, a blend of the very old and very new. You will be amazed at what you will [see]. Price of the ticket includes rail fare, sight-seeing tour and a Swiss steak dinner served in an attractive dining hall by a professional caterer. Leave Canton 8 A.M. — Return 9:30 P.M... Get your tickets early and avoid disappointment.

 

Excerpt from Pittsburgh Press, Feb. 16, 1964

Who would believe that Pittsburgh would be playing host today to 800 Ohioans who didn't know where they were going when they left home? They are participants in a "Mystery Tour" sponsored by the Midwest Railway Historical Foundation. It told them only that they would go to a city "that is rich in history and famous for its education ... a place of marked contrasts, a blend of the very old and the very new." According to John Baxter of East Swissvale Avenue who tipped this department and hoped it wouldn't get back to Ohio, the travelers will arrive in a special B&O train, have lunch in the Armstrong Auditorium in Sharpsburg, visit the Blockhouse, take an incline ride, and have three-hour sightseeing tour in 18 Pittsburgh Railway buses.

[Overmod]

But what was the mystery locationj in 1962?

[wanswheel]

[BaltACD]

Guessing that the origin point for the train would be Akron, I would GUESS Meadeville, PA - which I believe was a EL Division point and also had some shop facilitities.