The Indiana Transportation Museum (ITM) announced Friday plans to file a federal lawsuit against the cities of Noblesville and Fishers, in addition to the Hoosier Heritage Port Authority (HHPA) and Hamilton County government.
The suit will focus on the Port Authority’s decision to cease train operations on the 37-mile track that runs through Hamilton County to downtown Indianapolis. The Port Authority claims the track is unsafe.
After the announcement made by the Port Authority, the cities of Noblesville and Fishers, along with Hamilton County Commissioners, announced a plan to convert the track into a 14-foot wide trail.
The Indiana Train Museum is located in Noblesville’s Forrest Park. Recently the City of Noblesville initiated an EPA investigation alleging the organization was improperly storing hazardous materials on site.
Prior to the Port Authority’s decision, ITM operated popular excursions such as the Fair Train and the Polar Bear Express.
Although Noblesville, Fishers and Hamilton County Commissioners have presented a plan to abandon the track, HHPA, a board comprised of appointees from the two cities and the county, recently advertised a Request For Proposal for a new track operator.
A large contingency from throughout Hamilton County has publicly supported maintaining the railway.