Reader: Reinstitute Nickel Plate Rail service in Hamilton, Marion counties

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Dear Editor:

Congratulations to the folks at Nickel Plate Express for reinstituting rail service back into Downtown Noblesville! This move reaffirms the acknowledgement recently by Noblesville officials of the great historical and economic importance of railroading in Hamilton County.

The decision to make this change is timely. Such excursion trips as the Father’s Day Breakfast Express, Superhero Express, Uncorked (Wine) Express, Birthday Express, Decades/Roaring 20s Express, Bourbon Express, Independence Express, Hobo Express, Spirits Express, Day Cruises, etc. provide not only entertainment and relaxing trips for train patrons, but also reinvigorate the thrill of traveling the rails for the area’s many longtime railroad fans, as well as for newbies experiencing their first rail rides.

In the minds of many, this smart reconnection from Atlanta to the county seat of Hamilton County very quickly leads next to the simmering question: “What about the State Fair Train?”

In the minds of how many, you may ask? Let’s start with the 12,000 petitioners who requested that the Nickel Plate rails be kept intact between Noblesville and Indianapolis – a reaction in part to plans to demolish the rails and proceed with a bike/hike trail-only approach on a line that could be dismantled and infringed upon by developers. We can see that nationwide, 161 examples exist where rails and trails function safely in or adjacent to the same right-of-ways, and another 60 such “rail-with-trail” projects are in the works.

It does not have to be an “either/or” choice.

Now, the much-debated future of the rail corridor between Noblesville and Indianapolis is currently before the federal Surface Transportation Board, which oversees all U.S. rail property issues. Private, for-profit companies stated they would like to reinstitute rail service on the line, and under longtime federal rules, that’s a possibility. The private for-profit railroad would work in collaboration with the cities to help facilitate trail development.

But, in the meantime, the Hoosier Heritage Port Authority, manager of the federally railbanked line – and which was organized in part to plan for future public transit needs – has issued an immediate (due June 28) Request for Proposals for an expedited, preemptive removal in July of 22 miles of rails and ties – even prior to the Surface Transportation Board taking final regulatory action on the controversial matter. The Port Authority wishes to sell the rails and ties to recyclers for big dollars. Without doubt, this does not sit well with the 12,000 petitioners.

Let’s shift gears and take this discussion a step further – a step that begins to address regional transportation needs. One possible vision demonstrated recently by a national engineering firm, Jacobs of Dallas, Texas, was the rather obvious notion of reconnecting the Nickel Plate into Union Station in Downtown Indianapolis.

With that eventuality, Nickel Plate Express riders could then – via either excursion or commuter runs – access the buffet of amenities in Downtown Indy, including Lucas Oil Stadium (Colts), Bankers Life Fieldhouse (Fever and Pacers), City Market, Victory Field (Indians), Indiana Convention Center, White River Park, Indianapolis Zoo, Central Canal, State Museum, NCAA, Eiteljorg Museum, Mass Av, Soldiers and Sailors Monument, IUPUI, Indygo, Amtrak, restaurants, hotels, nightlife and a number of corporate headquarters and employers.

With the Nickel Plate Express offering rides into Downtown Indy, there would be more destinations for patrons to visit than rural Hamilton County.

But they could also stop off in Fishers and have some great ice cream, bakery goods and food – as well as stroll the aptly and ironically-named Nickel Plate Arts District – next to the currently unused Nickel Plate boarding platform – which was part of a $1.3 million now-demolished rail depot built by the Port Authority – and currently sitting idle.

A rail-with-trail project is viable from Noblesville to Indianapolis, according to the Jacobs report.

If the greater Indianapolis metropolitan area wants to be a dominant economic powerhouse, retaining high talent workers, and attracting world-class commercial enterprises, this is where we start.

Otherwise, we stagnate while we continue to widen our interstate highways, spend more on their upkeep, and add to dangerous traffic backups and congestion.

Richard Vonnegut

Indianapolis

Vonnegut is a statewide advocate for bike/hike trails and for historic and modern rail services.

4 Comments on "Reader: Reinstitute Nickel Plate Rail service in Hamilton, Marion counties"

  1. Warren Martin | June 20, 2019 at 1:36 pm |

    Very truthful, accurate, well authored letter. A in depth investigation is warranted here,focusing on collusion, conspiracy,and conflict of interest in local and county officials, as well as the Hoosier Heritage Port Authority.

  2. Bill Brown | June 25, 2019 at 11:45 am |

    This hits the nail on the head and should be implemented by Mayor Scott Fadness and the HHPA for future growth capability! It would be a real jewel among cities in the area! And yes I was one of those 12000 and I would like a rail and trail approach!

  3. Charles L Holland | June 26, 2019 at 2:16 am |

    Noblesville was started by visionaries William Conner and Josiah Polk. Today visionaries seem to be in short supply in Hamilton Count, at least among our elected and appointed officials! Richard Vonnegut has a good prospective on what the future could hold! I wished more people could share his vision and passion. Who knows, maybe they do. One way to know would be to but the issue on the ballot and hold some real public debates on the issue. This is an issue that should be desided by the people!

  4. James Falcsik | June 26, 2019 at 9:15 am |

    A court injunction my be required to prevent the dismantling of the railroad prior to the STB ruling. When decisions are made by public servants and common sense is absent, and the decisions are underhanded and appear preplanned as did those for this rail corridor, there is justification for an investigation.

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