Michael Crider: A little-known federal act powers our rail advantage
The greater Indianapolis region is a major hub for goods movement, which is a huge asset for attracting and growing companies whose goal is to cover the broader U.S. market.
Railroad
-
New Noblesville mayor makes push to restore Hobbs Station, 10-acre railyard
A planned $1.5 million investment in Noblesville’s historic railyard is designed to draw visitors into downtown, but it also might put the city’s rocky relationship with rail back on track.
Read More
Articles
Port authority to receive $289,000 for Nickel Plate track removal
Salt Lake City-based A&K Railroad Materials Inc. submitted the winning bid out of five bidders who responded to a request for proposals to remove 22 miles of track from Indianapolis to Noblesville and sell the materials for scrap.
Judge orders railroad advocate, attorneys to pay Fishers $72,000
Hamilton Circuit Court Judge David Najjar found that attorneys for Fishers spent more than 230 hours defending the city against Save the Nickel Plate in a case he called “frivolous.”
Ex-Rep. Rokita, who voted to defund Amtrak, picked for board
A group that advocates for train passengers wants the Senate to reject the nomination of a former Indiana congressman for Amtrak's board of directors.
Amtrak suspends ticket sales for Hoosier State line after June 30
Amtrak on Monday issued an official notice that it plans to suspend operation of the Hoosier State line, which provides Indianapolis-to-Chicago service, starting July 1. The state hasn’t included funding for the line in its next budget.
Hoosier State train route could derail without state cash
Supporters are fighting for continued public funding of the Indianapolis-to-Chicago rail service—even as they acknowledge the route’s travel times and ridership levels need improvement.
State legislator hopes to get traction for bills on I-65/I-70, light rail
One of the bills would restrict changes that could be made to the Interstate 65/Interstate 70 inner loop around downtown. Another would remove the ban on light-rail projects in Indianapolis.
Federal board’s ruling paves way Nickel Plate Trail development
The Federal Surface Transportation Board has ruled in favor of a plan by Fishers and Noblesville to convert the Nickel Plate Railroad into a recreational trail, removing the last big legal hurdle faced by the project.
Noblesville hasn’t advanced Nickel Plate trail, as mayoral candidates question plan
As Fishers charges ahead with converting the Nickel Plate Railroad into a pedestrian pathway, the trail through Noblesville doesn’t seem to be gaining that same traction.
Indiana Supreme Court favors railroads in ruling over train crossings
Norfolk Southern Railway Co. challenged the statute after receiving 23 citations in Allen County from December 2014 to December 2015.
Opponent fires another volley in fight over Nickel Plate corridor
A not-for-profit group is taking legal action against Fishers, Noblesville and Hamilton County, saying officials violated public-access laws when making decisions regarding the future of the Nickel Plate Railroad corridor.
Rail operator asks feds to run freight trains on Nickel Plate line
Ohio-based U.S. Rail Holdings has asked the Federal Surface Transportation Board to force the line’s owners to sell the railroad line.
Indiana Transportation Museum files suits against Noblesville, Fishers, Hamilton County
The Indiana Transportation Museum has requested a judge grant a temporary restraining order to give it more time to move out of Forest Park in Noblesville and prevent the city from seizing its equipment and trains.
Agreement puts tourism train excursions on track in Hamilton County
The Hoosier Heritage Port Authority and Nickel Plate Heritage Railroad Inc. have approved a 15-year operating agreement, making way for the new Nickel Plate Express tourism rail line to begin offering rides this year.
Indiana House approves bill to lift Indy-area ban on light rail
Lawmakers are reconsidering the ban with hopes of landing Amazon’s second North American headquarters.
House panel votes to reverse Indianapolis-area ban on light rail
A proposal to reverse the ban that has precluded Marion County and surrounding suburbs from building or acquiring a light-rail mass-transit project passed an Indiana House committee Wednesday.
Train museum revives Polar Bear Express on different set of tracks
The Noblesville-based Indiana Transportation Museum recently lost a court battle that would have allowed it to revive the annual Polar Bear Express from Fishers to Indianapolis. But the museum has found a new route for the holiday excursion.
Railroad sues over millions of rail ties it calls defective
Norfolk Southern operates freight trains in more than 20 states in the southern and eastern United States and in more than 50 counties in Indiana.
Federal judge dismisses transportation museum lawsuit
The Noblesville-based museum filed the complaint in July against the Port Authority, the city of Fishers and the city of Noblesville, accusing them of unjustly interfering in the museum’s operations.
Law firm plans federal suit on behalf of landowners along rail corridor
Attorneys have started talking to landowners along the Nickel Plate Railroad corridor about their property rights.