Thanks to a generous donor and the efforts of Noblesville, Indiana’s Parks and Recreation Department, and the City of Logansport, the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society has recovered over half a dozen pieces of vintage railroad equipment for preservation.
Throughout 2021 and into 2022, the Fort Wayne Railroad worked to identify and relocate surplus railroad equipment left at the former locations of the Indiana Transportation Museum in Noblesville and Logansport, respectively. Stored in deteriorating condition and a barrier to mediation efforts at each site, the Fort Wayne Railroad, volunteers, and contractors undertook a Herculean effort to dismantle several locomotives for shipping and prep remaining equipment for stabilization and transportation by truck. Additional assistance was provided by the Nickel Plate Express, US Rail Corporation, and Hoosier Heartland Trolley Company.
The saved equipment includes:
- Two Milwaukee Road F Units, no. 72-A, and 96-C
- One Milwaukee Road B-Unit no. 68-B
- One Pennsylvania Railroad hopper car no. 257784
- One Lake Erie & Western/Nickel Plate Road boxcar no. 18013
- One Louisville & Nashville boxcar no. 12177
- One Wabash Railroad boxcar
Several mechanical components from the vintage locomotives have been made available to other rail preservation organizations, and at least one diesel locomotive is being considered for an interactive display. Plans call for a portion of the freight cars to be used in a variety of educational capacities as the Fort Wayne Railroad expands its programs and events, and continues work on establishing a regional railroad attraction in Northeast Indiana.
The equipment is currently stored at a privately owned, rail-served facility where stabilization efforts will take place. Due to the active industrial nature of the storage site, the equipment is not currently available for public viewing or tours.
-via Press Release