​Replica of 19th Century Train to Blow Whistle at Voinovich Funeral

Cleveland, Ohio — The Collinwood High School Alumni Association’s “Old 999” train, a replica of a famous 19th century New York Central locomotive, will be at the funeral of George V. Voinovich at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church in Euclid today.

Back in 1893, a coal-powered steam engine known as “NYC 999,” broke the world speed record for trains, reaching over 100 miles an hour on a run between Buffalo and Syracuse, New York.

The Collinwood High School Alumni has restored a replica of the famous engine and uses it for special events.

George Voinovich was a proud graduate of Collinwood High School.

The CHS Alumni Association will blow the train whistle following George Voinovich’s funeral mass. “As the song goes, “Hear that lonesome whistle blow,” said Councilman Mike Polensek. “Indeed, it is the sound of the passing of a great man.”

[Image: Sean Lamb, Wikimedia Commons]