Nickel Plate Express (NPE), a non-profit organization providing themed train excursions in northern Hamilton County, reported strong occupancy and passenger numbers for the organization’s inaugural season.
NPE served 9,700 passengers from September through December of 2018 and enjoyed a 90 percent occupancy rate during Reindeer Ride, their holiday excursion. NPE traveled a total of 1,056 miles this season, taking passengers between Atlanta and Cicero on regular weekend excursions.
Executive Director Deanna Holt said she is pleased with the occupancy and passenger numbers for the first season. “Our team worked hard this first year to provide exceptional customer service and fresh programming to keep passengers and community members engaged. I think our passenger numbers show that we achieved this goal. Our wide array of programming themes and strong customer service will help us build on this initial success and grow both revenue and passenger numbers for 2019. I look forward to bringing more visitors and revenue into Hamilton County during the upcoming season.”
NPE created 23 full- or part-time positions for Hamilton County residents during their initial year of operations. The non-profit spent approximately $44,000 at Hamilton County businesses this past year. Before beginning operations in September of 2018, the group spent $485,000 on restoring the tracks in Hamilton County so they could begin excursions.
According to Communications Coordinator Dagny Zupin, 20 of those jobs are part-time positions filled by high schoolers and young adults who work either Thursday and Friday or Saturday and Sunday.
“During the holiday season we were running excursions every weekend during the holiday season and our employees were on staff from noon until 10 p.m., so they were getting a lot of hours,” Zupin told The Reporter.
NPE also made five television appearances in late 2018, three of which were with The Reporter’s news gathering partners at WISH-TV Channel 8. Zupin called WISH-TV “amazing to work with.”
“This is very much a community effort,” said Nickel Plate Heritage Railroad Board President Toni Dickover. “The railroad has traditionally been a part of this community for decades and the county is proud of that history. That’s why it’s important to us that we share the economic growth with other Hamilton County businesses whenever possible.”
Nickel Plate Express will offer Valentine and St. Patrick’s Day excursions this winter with regular weekend excursions to return in mid-April.
“We will have an Ales and Rails Express for Valentine’s Day with Metazoa Brewing Company from Indianapolis,” Zupin said. “We will also have an Uncorked Express with Harmony Winery from Fishers. We are talking with restaurants in Cicero to bring back the dinner train later in February. Included with the ticket would be a glass of wine on the train and being able to choose among three restaurants in Cicero for dinner.”
Other events on the horizon in 2019 include a St. Patrick’s Day event, a catered excursion with dinner served on the train, a fairy train in conjunction with Nickel Plate Arts, as well as excursions themes with superheroes and princesses for the little ones.
For more information on the Nickel Plate Express please visit NickelPlateExpress.com.
About the Nickel Plate Express
The Nickel Plate Express is a non-profit based out of Arcadia. The organization offers themed train excursion through northern Hamilton County. Nickel Plate Express aims to increase tourism and economic growth in northern Hamilton County through moving education and entertainment programs.
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