The news contained in John Tuohy’s Indianapolis Star piece posted online January 21st should not come as a surprise to anyone, but it is sad nonetheless.  The Indiana State Fair Train will not likely run for a second straight year in 2017.

The Hoosier Heritage Port Authority has the responsibility to maintain the tracks stretching 37 miles.  The Authority says $5 million in track repairs are needed to bring back the train service for a number of programs, the Fair Train being the largest.

The Port Authority has now put out a request to establish a new operator.  The Indiana Transportation Museum had operated that stretch of train track for a number of years.

The Port Authority president is quoted in the Star story about “serious infighting” within the museum’s organization.  That apparently led to the announcement that a new operator must be found to bring the track up to safety standards.

It will take time to select a new operator and even more time for that group to make the necessary repairs, allowing the Fair Train and other activities to once again start.

It is good that the Hoosier Heritage Port Authority is moving forward.  Let’s hope this gets the 2018 Indiana State Fair train back on track.