by

Fred Swift

Hamilton County Reporter

(NOTE: Commentaries by Fred Swift are posted here as a result of a partnership between the Hamilton County Reporter newspaper and LarryInFishers.com)

The Nickel Plate saga seems to get more complex by the day. With owners of the railroad
considering proposals for the tracks’ future use, and a tort claim by the Indiana Transportation Museum (ITM) for damages pending in court, a new wrinkle has developed.

The City of Logansport wants the museum to have a location in that city. Whether this means the museum completely pulling out of Noblesville is unclear. But, opening in Logansport while unable to operate its trains on the Nickel Plate would seem to mean the focus of the museum’s efforts would be headed north.

The ITM has been in Noblesville’s Forest Park for many years and has operated excursion trains on the Nickel Plate rails for 20 years or more. But, since March 2016 the organization has been unable to run their trains due to safety concerns expressed by the Hoosier Heritage Port Authority, owners of the tracks.

Local officials at the city and county level have indicated they would like to convert the railroad to a walking and jogging trail. This idea has become controversial as
supporters of retaining the railroad have organized to make the issue a political “hot potato.”

Last year it appeared the ITM might not be able to afford to make safety corrections, the Port Authority issued a request for proposals (RFP) to any group interested and able
to take over use of the tracks, and either operate trains, build a trail or a combination of the two.

A proposal from the Hamilton County Tourism Bureau seemed to meet the combination idea by offering a trail south from Noblesville and railroad north to Tipton. The
port authority is considering proposals from five entities. And, surprisingly a group known as Iowa Pacific, not Tourism, scored highest in meeting criteria set by the port authority.

So, the issue will be handed off to the Noblesville, Fishers and Hamilton County administrations for a final determination. No date has been set for making that decision.
In the meantime, ITM filed a tort claim for damages in federal court which could delay any action.

If it sounds confusing and potentially more controversial, it is. If a successful outcome is not reached, those who made the decision will hear about it. And, this alone could
delay resolution.

Meanwhile, Logansport, an old railroading town which holds an Ironhorse Festival each year, is hoping that some, if not all, of ITM’s old rail cars, engines and treasured
interurbans will be joining their collection.