Experts will labor next week to move in three more passenger cars, a generator car and a F9 locomotive to enable Nickel Plate Express to begin operations Sept. 15.
The first passenger car, a 1956 Santa Fe El Capitan Hi-level, was successfully moved Aug. 30 from Lapel to Arcadia.
Schuman Transport Service, LLC of Minnesota and Paddack’s Transport of Westfield are overseeing the movement of the 16-foot tall cars. The immense height and weight of the Santa Fe cars make them a challenge to move.
“It’s not every day you get to move a piece of historic equipment like this,” said Tom Schuman, owner of Schuman Transport Services. A lifelong rail enthusiast, Schuman has enjoyed the opportunity to lend his expertise. “We’re always up for a challenge. When you have a good crew like Paddack’s and I do, it makes everything run much smoother.”
Previously, the 1956 cars underwent restoration in Tennessee before moving to Lapel in July for temporary storage. The cars will officially re-enter service on Sept. 15 during the Nickel Plate Express Grand Opening.
The inaugural ride and ribbon cutting ceremony will begin at 12:30 p.m. in Atlanta. Tickets for the historic event can be purchased at NickelPlateExpress.com/tickets.
Grand Opening ticket sales have begun
All aboard! Nickel Plate Express began ticket sales this week for its Sept. 15 Grand Opening celebration.
Nickel Plate Express will celebrate its inaugural excursions with Grand Opening festivities from noon to 5 p.m. in downtown Atlanta. Passengers can purchase tickets for 1 p.m., 3 p.m. or 5 p.m. train rides at NickelPlateExpress.com/tickets.
A ribbon cutting ceremony will take place in downtown Atlanta at 12:30 p.m., prior to the first excursion.
The Grand Opening will include music from Noblesville DJ Sunny Moon, as well as a railroad scavenger hunt and free train-themed caricature drawings of attendees by Cicero artist Nick Nix. Local food trucks will be available all day.
“We look forward to hosting the first official passengers on the Nickel Plate Express,” said Nickel Plate Express Executive Director Deanna Holt. “It will be exciting to celebrate our Grand Opening with the community.”
About Nickel Plate Heritage Railroad Inc.
Nickel Plate Heritage Railroad Inc. is a non-profit organization that will serve as the governing body for the new heritage railroad operation, Nickel Plate Express. It will manage train programming and marketing with excursion rail service contracted to Atlanta Pacific LLC Railroad.