Restoration began this week on the 12 miles of railroad track between Atlanta and Noblesville in Hamilton County. The project started in Atlanta on Monday and will finish in Noblesville in late June. This will take approximately five weeks to complete.
Restoration will consist mainly of tie replacement and maintenance on rail joints. Restoration and maintenance conclusion is subject to time extension for extra work. Atlanta Pacific Rail will oversee the restoration work.
Other work to be done on the line includes bridge inspections by the Hoosier Heritage Port Authority, as is required by law, as well as weed and brush mitigation efforts. Work to improve some railroad crossings is also under consideration.
“We’re excited to have the crew here preparing the tracks for our historic train,” said Deanna Holt, executive director of Nickel Plate Express. “We want to encourage people to use caution when crossing railroad intersections and watch for the crews as they ready the tracks. Nickel Plate Heritage Railroad has secured funding for track restoration through traditional bank financing.”
It is expected that all three Santa Fe Hi-level passenger/dining cars and locomotive equipment will be delivered by late summer. The community can watch for the 1950s train as it completes test runs along the restored line in August, with excursions beginning in early September.
Ticket information will be available in the coming weeks. For updates and information follow Nickel Plate Express on Facebook.
About Nickel Plate Heritage Railroad, Inc.
Formerly the Arcadia Heritage Depot/Arcadia Arts & Heritage initiative, Nickel Plate Heritage Railroad Inc. is a non-profit. The organization 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 Rail, LLC.
What about the tracks from Noblesville south to and thru Fishers to Indianapolis? Also will the train be able to travel to downtown Noblesville? Save the train all the way to Indy.
This’ a true shame. Not the fact this section of the railroad is being restored, don’t get me wrong. What is a shame is that the ITM could’ve done this repairs WITHOUT tax payers money, if given the chance. I’ll personally avoid the Fickel Plate, and stick with the Real Nickel Plate and the Indiana Transportation Museum. #SavetheNickelPlate