Recent Happenings

Toy & Train Logo

144 Kruger Street
Wheeling, WV 26003
(304)242-8133 or Toll Free 1-877-242-8133
Email the museum: museum@toyandtrain.com.

Recent Happenings at the Kruger Street Toy & Train Museum
(scroll down the page to read many past stories):

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From Tatooine to Phoenix Exhibit coming from April 1 to July 4!

The Kruger Street Toy & Train Museum will host the temporary exhibit "From Tatooine to Phoenix: The Custom Action Figure Collection from April 1 to July 4, 2005. Local toy enthusiasts and figure customizers Eric Minor and Krisian White have assembled an impressive array of custom personages of everything from unproduced Star Wars figures, to local sports heroes, and even figures for the sci-fi short film "Phoenix" and the independent horror film "Pizza Man"! We figured you would want to know a little about Eric and Kristian, so here are short biographies of the two artists:

Eric Minor has been a toy collector since his parents first bought him a set of Star Wars action figures in 1977 when he was just four years old.
Since then, his entire family has enjoyed playing with and creating toys: his father made accessories for Eric and his brother Steve out of spare dental materials, his mother made action figure-sized capes and sleeping bags with her sewing machine, and his grandparents helped build flying cable cars and cities our of old Styrofoam packing materials.

Now that Eric has two kids of his own, he has even more fun stuff to play with when he's not working in local television.

Eric grew up in Philippi, West Virginia and attended West Virginia University's School of Journalism. Before beginning his broadcasting career, Eric did contract work for the Pittsburgh Children's Museum and Henson Productions helping set up and maintain an exhibit showcasing the work of one of his heroes, Muppets creator Jim Henson. During that summer, Eric also found work with WQED-TV in Pittsburgh as a puppeteer on the pilot episode for a children's program called "Frank's Garage". Eric puppeteered a talking stack of tires named "Retread".

Eric, his wife and two children live in Hancock County, WV. Eric is managing editor and anchor for WTOV-9 in Steubenville-Wheeling.

Eric Minor adds those final touches to a figure.

Born in Wheeling and raised in Wellsburg, West Virginia, Kristian E. White relocated to Wheeling in 2002.When he is not painting an action figure in his toy shop, Kristian may be found practicing law with Steptoe & Johnson PLLC, where he focuses his practice on entity formation, commercial transactions, real property, intellectual property, and athlete representation.

In 1999, Kristian earned his law degree from the West Virginia University College of Law. In 1996, he graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration (Accounting) from the West Virginia University College of Business & Economics, where he was inducted into the Order of Augusta.

Kristian is a Certified Public Accountant and a licensed athlete agent. He is a certified Contract Advisor with the National Football League Players Association and the Canadian Football League Players Association.

Kristian is a graduate of Leadership West Virginia 2004 and a graduate of Leadership Wheeling 2002. He serves on the board of directors of The Children's Museum of the Ohio Valley, Inc. and Kiwanis Club of Wheeling, Inc. Kristian has also begun creating custom figures of area athletes professionally! You can visit his website, www.eriktoys.com to see for yourself!

Kristian White contemplating that next custom figure project!

The Wheeling Caboose to have Anniversary Celebration!

It's hard to believe, but it has been five years since the Toy Museum purchased and moved former B&O caboose C-2019 from the Wheeling waterfront to the museum property. We've decided to have a little celebration to commemorate the event, on Saturday, April 2, 2005! From 11 AM to 3 PM, we're going to have all sorts of fun and interesting activities going on here at the museum! The day will end with a 5 PM to 7 PM Grand Opening event for the new "From Tatooine to Phoenix" exhibit here at the Museum!

The Kruger Street Toy & Train Museum
presents the

First Annual
WHEELING CABOOSE DAY!

Saturday, April 2, 2005

from 11 AM to 3 PM on the museum grounds!

Come and celebrate with us, on the fifth anniversary of the moving of the "Wheeling Caboose" from the waterfront to its current home at the Toy & Train Museum, located at 144 Kruger Street, in wild and wonderful Wheeling, West Virginia!

Loads of fun activities are planned for this event!
(the following are scheduled to attend; subject to change)

- Hear actual antique steam whistles operate!
- See and hear the wonderful Whiteside Calliope!
- Find something warm and fuzzy from Webark Estates!
- Celebrate the caboose's "birthday" with cake from Riesbecks Food Markets
- Visit with our men & women in uniform, from the Army Reserve, and see some of their equipment!
- See a beautifully restored, fully authentic, Korean War vintage Army Jeep with full gear!
- Find out about the Elm Grove Lions Club!
- Watch and relive the move of the Wheeling Caboose!
- See what's rolling in bicycles from Wheelcraft Ltd!
- For the little ones, try your hand at our Coloring Contest!
- Have a terrific snack or light lunch, brought to you by the fantastic cooks of Abundant Life Tabernacle!
- And Much, Much More!

All of these outdoor activities FREE to the PUBLIC!

Up and Coming directors to do "Meet and Greet" at the Toy Museum!

Steven Bordelon, the director of the science fiction short film "Phoenix", and Jay Cipriani, director of the horror film "Pizza Man", will be holding a "Meet & Greet" event at the Toy Museum on April 30, 2005 from 1 PM to 3 PM. Both films are an integral part of the "From Tatooine to Phoenix" exhibit that will then be running at the museum, and Phoenix will be screened at the Towngate Theater on April 29, 30, and May 1, 2005 (contact Towngate for show times). Why not see the film at Towngate, then meet the man behind the magic!

Filmmaker Biography: Steven Bordelon Writer/Director

Writer/director Steve Bordelon.

Born in Wiesbaden, Germany, his family relocated to Southern California where Steven spent most of his youth. He received his Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Harvey Mudd College and Master of Fine Arts in Film and Video Production from the University of Southern California's School of Cinema Television. Before finishing his graduate work Steven worked for Lockheed Martin as a Systems Engineer on satellite control systems and was co-founder and CEO of NetAscension, a software company specializing in distributed computing. Phoenix was Steven’s MFA thesis film.

Selected Filmography:

Writer/Director

Phoenix (2002)

Slide (1998) 16mm short film in association with the University of Southern California

The Mirror (1996) Multi-image short (35mm stills & sound) in association with Harvey Mudd College

Producer
Shades of Gray (2000) Independent DV feature length comedy

Filmmaker Biography: Jay Cipriani - Director

Pizza Man director Jay Cipriani.

A native of Wellsburg, West Virginia, Jay Cipriani earned a M.F.A. from the U S C School of Cinema and Television. After graduation he worked for director Barry Levinson and producer Paula Weinstein while still pursuing independent projects such as associate producing Steve Bordelon's "Phoenix" and writing the 2001 Jerry Lewis Telethon. He was a producer's assistant on the feature films "Envy" and "Looney Tunes: Back in Action." He currently lives in Los Angeles and works for Rickshaw Productions for writer/producer Ted Griffin.

"City of Wheeling" display on long term loan to Museum

The architect's model of downtown Wheeling, West Virginia, which was done to promote the Victorian Outlet Mall concept that Wheeling attempted a few years ago, is now on display at the Museum. It is on loan from the Ohio Valley Foundation, owners of the model. This rather large model can now be seen in our upper concourse, allowing visitors to both get a glimpse of what almost became Wheeling's future, AND allows them to see many of the structures currently found in our downtown. Take a look at our town the next time you stop in to visit the museum!

A portion of the City of Wheeling in Minature

Toy Museum will be site of MEGO MEET 2005!

the Kruger Street Toy & Train Museum will play host to Mego collectors from all over on June 3rd and 4th, 2005 for MEGO MEET 2005! The event, which was spawned from the Mego exhibit the museum is currently housing, will be the first gathering of Mego collectors in West Virginia. Details are evolving at the moment, so check the Mego Convention page often for the latest details! (you can click below to go to the Mego Convention page)!

[Take me to the Mego Meet Page!]

Format for 2005 Boy Scout Railroad Merit Badge Sessions is announced!

We're changing the way we do the Boy Scout Railroad Merit Badge for 2005, to facilitate more troops with more opportunities to earn your badge! Visit the Scouting page for more details (you can click below to go to the scouting page)!

[Take me to the Scouting Page!]

National Road Historic Marker dedicated on Museum Property!

The National Road Alliance of West Virginia dedicated a new historical marker on September 14, 2004 on the front of the Museum property. The marker, which explains the connection between Shepherd Plantation (now the Osiris Shrine, further down Kruger Street) and the building of National Road, is the first of four that the group is having erected in the Wheeling area in preparation for the 200th anniversary of National Road in 2006!

Members of the National Road Alliance dedicate the historic marker on September 14, 2004.

19th Annual "55 Good Things About West Virginia" includes Toy Museum!

The Kruger Street Toy & Train Museum was selected this year as one of the "55 Good Things About West Virginia" by the State Journal! The annual listing, in its 19th year, highlights the many good people, places, and things in the Mountain State. This year, West Virginia Media will be airing an hour long show featuring this year's honorees on Monday, September 27, 2004 from 7 to 8 PM. This show can be seen on WTRF TV-7 in the Wheeling/Steubenville area, WBOY TV-12 in Clarksburg/Morgantown, WOWK TV-13 in Charleston/Huntington, and on WVNS TV-59 in Beckley/Bluefield. Take a look, and see some of the great things the state has to offer!

The new Ohio Valley Room at the museum is now open!

Our Operating HO Gauge Train Layout in the new Ohio Valley Room!

The HO Layout in our newest display room, the "Ohio Valley Room", which was opened on Friday, June 18, 2004. The room itself is filled with loads of artifacts and information pertaining to the rich history of the Wheeling area, and the Ohio Valley in general! On your next visit, along with the trains and toys, you can also delve into our area's history!

Kruger Street News Debuts!

The inaugural issue of the "Kruger Street News", our new in-house newsletter for members of the museum, was released in late March. We plan on putting out approximately 3 issues per year, and all will be send to everyone with a valid museum membership, free of charge. We want you to know what is going on at YOUR museum! Not a memeber yet? It's very economical, and you can visit the museum as often as you like! Why not look into joining when you make your next museum visit!

The Kruger Street Caboose is featured in "The Sentinel" magazine!

The former Baltimore & Ohio caboose #C-2019, which resides at the museum, was featured in the Second Quarter 2003 issue of "The Sentinel", the official publication of the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Historical Society. The article "Two that Escaped the Scrapper", featured both our own C2019, and another former B & O caboose currently operated by West Virginia's own Durbin and Greenbrier Valley Railroad.

The Sentinel - this issue contains the article on C2019

"Toy Shop" magazine Features Museum in May 2nd, 2003 issue!

The Kruger Street Toy & Train Museum was featured in the May 2, 2003 issue of Toy Shop magazine! The story was written by freelance author Rick Kelsey of Arlington, Texas. It was also picked up by Toy Shop's sister publication, Antique Trader, in their May 28, 2003 edition. Thanks to both publications for helping us to get the word out about Kruger Street!

Baltimore & Ohio Caboose C-2019 is Dedicated!

The Kruger Street Toy & Train museum's resotred caboose is now completed! There was a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, September 26, 2002 at 1:30 PM in front of the caboose. The former Baltimore & Ohio caboose #C-2019, which was moved to the museum property in April of 2000, has undergone extensive renovation and restoration, and is now ready to meet the public! We've posted photos of the restored caboose and of the ribbon cutting on the caboose page of this website. IF you missed the event, why not take a look at it online!

Kruger Street Museum featured in WV Public TV piece!

The Kruger Street Toy & Train museum is featured in a new seven minute segment filmed and produced by West Virginia Public Television. The segment first aired on Wednesday, March 6, 2002. Watch for it on your local WVPBS affiliate!

Have you taken our "snapshot tour" yet?

We've posted our popular mailer, the "snapshot tour" on our site. Go to the "Museum" page, and there is a hot link from there to the snapshot tour. Or just click below! It's just a little taste of the fun that awaits you on Kruger Street!

[Take me to the Snapshot Tour!]

Check out our new "B&O Caboose C-2019" Page!

By popular demand, we now have a page devoted entirely to our very own former Baltimore & Ohio Railroad caboose, #C-2019, that has been here on the museum's grounds since April of 2000. See photos not just of that April move, but also classic shots from C-2019's arrival in Wheeling in 1980. Check back often, as we will post new photos when her restoration is completed in the near future!

The Kruger Street Caboose is featured in a new book!

The former Baltimore & Ohio I-5 style caboose #C-2019, which resides at the museum, was featured in a newly released book by renowned caboose historian and author Dwight Jones. The book, "Cabooses: Display and Private Owner Cars", features former Baltimore & Ohio and Chesapeake & Ohio cabooses which are now in private hands. C-2019 is featured in a series of photos depicting its move from the Wheeling waterfront to the museum in April of 2000.

If you want to purchase a copy of the book (it costs $15.95 plus $3.05 shipping), contact the author at:
Dwight Jones
536 Clairbrook Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43228-2539
Or you can email Dwight at csxcabooses@msn.com

Check out our new "Restoration" and "Especially for Teachers" Pages!

The Museum website now includes two additonal pages for your viewing and informational pleasure. A "Restoration" page has been added, to give you some idea of how involved the restoration of the Kruger Street School really was. Also, an "Especially for Teachers" page went online, giving teachers information on school group pricing, as well as a guide to how a visit to the Kruger Street Toy & Train Museum can not only be fun, but also be a highly educational experience for your students! Check the new pages out and let us know what you think!

Museum was site of Antique Car Show as part of the 2001 National Pike Festival!

The Kruger Street Toy & Train Museum hosted an Antique Car Show from 11 AM until 3 PM on Sunday, May 20, 2001 as part of the annual National Pike Festival! The show, held in the museum parking lot, was free to the public. Over forty antique vehicles, ranging from a 1924 Ford to more modern muscle cars, sportscars and customs were on display. Even a restored 1953 Willys Army jeep was mustered for the event! Many of the vehicle owners were members of the Ohio Valley Street Survivors, a local car enthusiasts group. Hundreds of folks from the area came out to see these classic machines. The show is slated to become an annual part of the May National Pike Festival. Watch for information and the show date for 2002!

The '24 Ford! Quite a variety of cars were on hand!

Anyone up for a race? Look at what I have under the hood!

Rusty Jebbia's combat ready '53 Willy's Jeep This was a great day to have a convertible!

Quite an impressive lineup!

Museum's Boy Scout Model Railroading Merit Badge Program a steaming success!

The Kruger Street Toy & Train Museum offered a Boy Scout Model Railroading Merit Badge Program this past winter! The program, which was an all-day event on selected Saturdays from January through March, gave area Boy Scouts an opportunity to earn the Model Railroading merit badge, learn a great deal about both model railroading and rear railroading, and have a great time all at once! The program was offered five times: on January 6th and 20th, February 3rd and 17th, and March 3rd. Those who attended all had a great time! If you or your troop didn't have a chance to make it out this year, don't fret. The program will be offered again on selected Saturdays in the winter of 2002!

Museum Building wins Major Award!

The Kruger Street Toy & Train Museum was the recipient of the 2000 Grand Victorian Award, presented by the Victorian Wheeling Society. The award, which honors major resoration and renovation projects on Victorian properties in the Wheeling area, was presented at the October 25th meeting of the Wheeling Civitan Club. The awards were presented by Gerry Reilley, who commented "The Kruger Street building encompassed so many of our categories, such as exterior restoration, interior restoration, neighborhood improvement, and adaptive reuse of a Victorian structure, that it was a natural selection for this year's overall award." This award, begun in 1991, has been presented 9 times in the last decade.

The Grand Victorian Award

The "Flying Quails" visited Kruger Street!

On Sunday, October 21, 2000 the Flying Quail Chapter of the Penn-Ohio Model "A" Ford Club visited the Toy Museum. It was a pleasant surprise to see them arrive in TEN beautiful Model A Ford cars and trucks of many varieties! More than a few heads turned when they saw our parking lot THAT morning! Even Channel 7 got into the act, filming them for use on the 11 o'clock news Sunday, and again at noon on Monday. The photos just don't do those beautiful automobiles justice!

The Flying Quails

Wheeling Fire Department Safety House returns to Kruger Street!

The Wheeling Fire Department again brought their Safety House to the Kruger Street Toy & Train Museum! The Safety House was be here on October 14, 2000, in celebration of Fire Safety Week. It was be here from 10 AM until 3 PM. Many folks brought out the kids, and had a great time while learning important facts about fire safety!

Museum is recipient of Railroad Memorabalia Collection!

The Kruger Street Toy & Train Museum was the recipient of a large collection of railroad and trolley line memorabalia recently. The collection, assembled by the late Paul Eckler of Norwalk, Ohio, was given to the Milan Historical Museum of Milan, Ohio by his widow, Vivian. The Historical Museum retained items of significance to the history of both Ohio and the Milan area, while passing the balance of the collection on to the Kruger Steet Toy & Train Museum in Wheeling, West Virginia. Some of the items given to Kruger Street, including lanterns, timetables, and many paper artifacts, are slated to go on display as early as this summer.

Local Boy Scout Troop earns Railroading Merit Badges!

This February and March, Boy Scout Troop 29 of Wheeling, WV went through a five week program at the museum to earn their Railroading Merit Badges. The troop earned the first Railroading badges ever issued in the Ohio River Valley Council's history!

The "Wheeling Caboose" moves to its new home!

The "Wheeling Caboose" as it has come to be known, was moved to the museum property on April 5, 2000. The running gear had to be transported seperate from the caboose body. In its entirety, the caboose weighs in at an impressive 62,500 pounds! The caboose got more than a few second looks as it traveled along the highway to its new home! The caboose is now at the museum, where it will be enjoyed by generations of area residents! If you would like to see photos of the move, check out the caboose page on this website!

To contact us with a comment or question, why not email us!museum@ToyAndTrain.com .

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