The Hoosier Heritage Railroad (HHRR) interest group announced their proposal to operate expanded train service on the historic Nickel Plate railroad corridor.
HHRR indicated the Nickel Plate Trail proposal by Fishers, Noblesville, and Hamilton County in February, has many residents and railroaders angered that such a unique and irreplaceable asset was slated for removal. After the Hoosier Heritage Port Authority announced their intent to seek a new operator of the railroad, current members of the HHRR interest group went to the drawing board to propose a plan to operate and expand service along the line. “By severing the existing rail connection between Noblesville and Fishers, our leaders are squandering one of the most powerful and connective assets within their communities,” according to Logan Day. “The highest and best use of this line is to further develop rail service while partnering with and investing in authentic development along the railroad.”
The plan proposed by the HHRR focuses on a three-phase strategy:
Phase 1 – Re-establish passenger rail excursions between Indianapolis and Noblesville in 2018.
Phase 2 – Expand passenger rail excursions between Indianapolis and Tipton while partnering with adjacent communities to create trail and development strategies along the corridor.
Phase 3 – Fully integrate with community events, programming, and development while exploring further expansion of the line into downtown Indianapolis and up to Kokomo.
Private investors and donors have stepped forward to offer their help in funding the restoration and expansion of rail services along the corridor. Financial projections suggest that $1.2+ Million of ticket revenue could be generated during 2018 with similar stimulus of economic impact and development.
About Hoosier Heritage Railroad
The HHRR is an interest group and proposed operator formed of local community members and qualified railroad personnel in order to create a rail development strategy and ultimately provide passenger rail services on the Nickel Plate railroad corridor.