Celebrating sponsors, establishing new scholarship, expanding railbikes rides
By ALEXANDER WEBSTER
alexander@readthereporter.com
Are you looking for a new summer activity? Tired of walking the same old trails? Really love trains? Then you should check out Nickel Plate Express’ railbikes where you and your family can pedal down the tracks.
“They’re quad bikes that seat up to four people, and we run those at Time Tours. It’s been extremely popular,” Nickel Plate Heritage Railroad (NPHR) Executive Director Emily Reynolds said. “I was just running numbers for this year. We’ve run almost 6,000 people already this year on the railbikes.”
The railbikes are accessible to almost everyone, giving people a chance to see the sights up close along the tracks.
“It’s just something so unique and multi-generational,” Reynolds said. “We have had everyone from 92-year-olds to two-week-olds on these rail bikes. No matter what group you are in, you can get out there and have fun. They’re super easy to pedal, and it’s just being outdoors and getting to do something as a family.”
The Nickel Plate Express train has been a staple in Noblesville for years. As a non-profit, NPHR relies on sponsors to keep their rides affordable and to maintain the tracks.
“What’s new and exciting this year is that Meijer grocery store has sponsored one of our train cars, and then Gaylor Electric has renewed their sponsorship,” Reynolds said. “We’re really excited to bring those two back on board.”
According to Reynolds, car sponsorship money goes straight back into train preservation efforts, making sure the train cars are in good shape, ready to run, and will create great memories for passengers.
Gaylor Electric has renewed its railcar sponsorship, and Meijer has come aboard as the newest sponsor. Thank you both for your support of Nickel Plate Heritage Railroad. (Photos provided by Emily Reynolds, Nickel Plate Heritage Railroad)
These sponsorships also allow NPHR to give back to the community through the organization’s new Toni Dickover Scholarship.
“We just gave our first scholarship out in honor of Toni Dickover,” Reynolds said. “Zach McMichael is a Noblesville grad. Zach is our first scholarship recipient. He’s worked for me for two years, and we were really excited to give that to him. Toni has been involved with NPHR since 2017. She retired from our board last year. In honor of her, we created this scholarship.”
The scholarship is dedicated to students who show the qualities Toni Dickover exemplified during her time NPHR Board.
“It’s called the Toni Dickover Heart of Service Scholarship because Toni truly embodies serving her community and helping others in volunteer work,” Reynolds said. “Zach has done the same exact thing. He volunteers at his church, he goes to camp, and helps children. He’s amazing at academics and everything else he does. I don’t know how he does it all, because he’s worked for us for two years.”
If you’re interested in going on a railbike excursion, becoming a sponsor of Nickel Plate Express, or just curious about what Nickel Plate has to offer, check out NickelPlateExpress.com.