Over 100-train history buffs are visiting the Manitowoc area this weekend for the Soo Line Historical and Technical Society Convention.
Fred Firkus of Manitowoc is membership chairman and a member of the Board of Directors for the SLHTS National Convention at the Holiday Inn.
The Soo Line whether it was the history part of it or they worked with it (Soo Line), or they model it,” Firkus explained. “I grew up in Manitowoc but was originally from Stevens Point. So every time I went to Point I was there at the Soo Line Railroad. And that’s how I got acquainted with the Soo Line. But, there’s so many retirees that meet with us and tell their stories. We also have modelers that come in and enjoy the different models.”
Those attending from states including Colorado, Florida, and Texas will be taking a tour of locations in the city that Soo Line Railroad once served, including a former Manitowoc depot. Soo Line has since been bought out by Canadian-Pacific.
Fred Firkus and his train collection
Firkus added there also are going to be bus tours of the sites in the lakeshore area.
He explained that “While the men are doing the clinics, the women in attendance will do tours at the Rahr West Museum, West of The Lake Gardens, Kurtz’s for lunch, Washington House and take in the Solarian in Cato and taste some wine before returning to the Holiday Inn.”
Fred, himself, does railroad photography and has an extensive layout of memorabilia in his basement that includes over 350-feet of track, a thousand train cars and about 125 locomotives.
He added, “it’s a hobby and something that keeps me going..due to my arthritis, this is my therapy.”
Firkus and the other Soo Line enthusiasts first gather for their convention at the Holiday Inn later this afternoon with the event running through Sunday.
