The Indiana State Fair Train has been a staple for a very long time, with Fishers being the place to board.  It has been estimated that 10,000 people took the train to the fair last year and more were expected in 2016.

A firestorm of controversy centering on the nonprofit group running the trains has resulted in a ban on those trains using the track.  If the Indiana Transportation Museum is unable to meet a specific set of conditions, there will be no 2016 State Fair Train.

WRTV Channel 6 has been following this story.  For a background on what has happened, check out their latest piece at this link.

Meanwhile, since downtown Fishers is the place to park your car and get on and off the train, Mayor Scott Fadness has weighed-in with a statement issued in the late afternoon of Tuesday, July 12th.  Here is the complete statement:

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The Fair Train has been a valued part of the Fishers community for many years. However, the safety and security of the riders is the top priority. Under no circumstance will the City of Fishers support the operation of the Fair Train unless the safety and regulatory concerns raised by the Federal Rail Administration are addressed in a responsible manner.

I support the Indiana Transportation Museum’s efforts to correct the situation and hope that a resolution to these challenges is swift for the sake of the residents, riders and employees.  

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The bottom line is this – the issues at the Indiana Transportation Museum are threatening the fair train for 2016.  Let’s hope those in charge of that group can get their act together, and soon.

Otherwise, there will be no Indiana State Fair Train in 2016