From the Heart
It was a beautiful Friday afternoon. I could hear the sound of the train coming north on the tracks into Atlanta. I saw the light on the front of the engine. The long anticipated Nickel Plate Express would be arriving soon.
Memories of days gone by warmly found their way into my brain as well as into my heart. I felt like a kid again.
I was in the fourth grade at North Elementary School in 1965 when all the kids in Noblesville schools got the chance to ride the train.
We had all grown up hearing the sounds of the train that traveled the tracks on a daily schedule. If you lived anywhere near the downtown, you heard it.
My grandparents lived in a tiny house in Muncie. The railroad tracks were so close to their house that we could feel the house shake as the train slowly made its way through their neighborhood. I’m sure the engineers and conductor recognized all those dozens of Catron grandkids who stood and waved every Sunday afternoon.
It was after many months of planning that the vision of so many who wanted their children and their grandchildren to know what is was like to ride a train had come to fruition. It would be close by and weekends would be filled with excursions that both young and old could enjoy.
Pumpkin Express. Ghost Express. Uncorked Wine Express. Ales and Rails. Reindeer Ride.
We are so blessed to live in a community where families can get up on a weekend morning and travel just a few minutes to enjoy a fun day. And now we have a train!
Chuck and I climbed aboard the train and up to the top of the double decker. The seats were spacious and comfy.
When Chuck was a kid, he had ridden a train from Russellville, Indiana to Indianapolis to visit his sister who was attending Butler University. He also had ridden one when he visited Japan. That one traveled about 100 mph. It was fun sharing memories as we rode a few miles to the south.
That’s what this train is all about. Memories just waiting to be made by families.
Make plans to join those of us who are so excited about this new adventure.
The Nickel Plate Express uses rare 1950s Santa Fe equipment. The El Captain Hi-level cars have two levels and sit up high like a London double decker bus. There are just a few of these on the track today.
The sights of the back roads and farmland of Hamilton County were a reminder of days gone by when life was a bit simpler and life traveled a bit slower.
Even the cows on a farm near Arcadia came out to watch the train.
If you want to treat your family to a special excursion, just find your way to NickelPlateExpress.com and you too can hear “All aboard!”
Thank you to Brenda Myers and all of those who had a vision for our community. Their perseverance and due diligence in researching how to make this all possible will benefit many generations to come.
Now let’s all get on board and make some memories.