The Marty Phelps Memorial Train ride made it’s way to the Medina Railroad Museum from Lockport Sunday afternoon, loaded with friends and family who wanted to share a few memories and Marty’s last ride home to the Medina Railroad Museum.
Marty’s ashes were the first to board the train in Lockport and the last to get off the train at the stop in Medina where an Honor Guard Service took place remembering him as a veteran, firefighter and train buff.
Cody Catlin, a Safety Conductor on the train, says this is the first time Marty has been back to the museum since an ambulance took him away in early April.
Catlin says Marty was his mentor and hopes to continue Marty’s dream in keeping the museum going along with the train rides.
“Right now he will rest here,” says Catlin. “I don’t think he would want anything more than to be here at the museum.”
The owner of the railroad planned the Memorial Ride after Marty passed away at the end of April.
“It’s overwhelmingly joyful for my sister and I and our family because this railroad museum was my Dad’s heart and soul and he would be so proud,” says Tina Rosone, Phelps daughter.
When the Veteran Cemetery opens in 2019, Phelps will have half of his ashes buried there and the other half will be at the Railroad Museum in Medina.