In Saturday's Indystar. Bob Alloway
August 16, 2008 Old track could derail 2009 FairTrain rides
By Tania E. Lopez tania.e.lopez(a)indystar.com
Next year's WFMS FairTrain may not run if repairs aren't made to the
deteriorating tracks.
Replacing 6,400 crossties from Fishers Train Station to the Indiana State
Fairgrounds could cost $730,000, according to an application for a federal
transportation grant. Hamilton County Commissioners this week agreed to
apply for federal funds to rehabilitate passenger platforms as well as fix
the tracks.
"Due to current track conditions, specifically the need for supporting
timbers under the joints, the FairTrain route is in imminent danger," wrote
Rhonda Klopfenstein, executive director of Hoosier Heritage Port Authority,
in the application.
"The south portion of the track structure is in a condition that may result
in the loss of the FairTrain operation," she said.
Federal officials will notify the county by Jan. 1 whether the grant is
approved.
The FairTrain's round-trip passengers totaled 26,570 through Thursday,
compared to 18,600 for the same eight days last year.
Wednesday passenger Kelly Huff, 30, Indianapolis, hopes it keeps running.
"It's nostalgic," she said. "It's an important historical
tradition."
Revenues from the FairTrain allow its operator, the Noblesville-based
Indiana Transportation Museum, to continue operating, said Klopfenstein. "If
these revenues were lost, the museum would most likely shut down," she wrote
in the grant.
The museum's loss would hurt tourism here, said Brenda Myers, Hamilton
County Convention and Visitors Bureau executive director. The bureau has
awarded grants totaling $400,000 to the museum over four years to help the
group build a business plan and market itself, she said.
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization is eyeing the Nickel
Plate Road line -- the tracks used by the FairTrain -- for a possible $160
million route to take commuters between Downtown Indianapolis and
Noblesville. If the transit route is implemented, the FairTrain might be
shut down.
The tracks must be maintained regardless of plans for a transit line,
Hamilton County Commissioner Christine Altman said.
"Right now, I have no assurance that we would have the funds to build out
the diesel, light-rail alternative," she said.
If the transit route were approved, the tracks would have to be replaced to
meet specifications for trains that travel faster than 30 mph. The
FairTrain's maximum speed is 30 mph.
THIS E-MAIL FROM TOM NICHOLS - CONDUCTOR ON THE FAIRTRAIN.
This article is full of inaccurate, misleading statements and generally
irresponsible journalism. I am told that both Ms. Lopez and Ms.
Klopfenstein have both been informed of this. I also plan to write a letter
to the Editor. I was Conductor yesterday morning/afternoon, and this was
all everyone was talking about. Many expressed strong support for the
FairTrain and several indicated they will continue to ride as long as it is
offered, to support the ITM and to "do what they can" via their ticket
purchase to help us maintain our mission, equipment and track. It's very
refreshing when the people themselves get to cast their opinion by action!
Tom
With the cost of birth/death certif.'s in Marion County, and no offer to
give a discount for a geneology copy, is there another way to see and
transcribe the info., w/o having to pay?
Thank You--------Cece
Thank you to those who helped me located the grave of Lt Frederick H Freund
who died in 1942 as a result of the Bataan Death March. I have developed a
2 page history of the family and if are interested or if it needs posted
somewhere, I can send it along.
Thanks again.
JR Jamieson
jr(a)jjamieson.com
412 343 9264