Bob,

This is certainly a possibility, though the museum relies on the revenue from the fairtrain to keep things going and that is on the line the museum has the operating contract on, though for how long is not clear. The problem would come down to funding the museum. Heavens knows that you could bring the stainless train down to the line for Fairtrain during the fair.

The only tracks in Frankfort for excursions that are even somewhat accesible from the roundhouse is the e-w NS (former NKP) main and the n-s PRR line. The NS line would be out for operations and a connection would have to be made with the old PRR if you could come to an agreement with the current owner. The abandoned Monon trackbed might be a possibility, but would take some capital to reinstall. The actual NKP collection at Hoosier Valley is greater than that at ITM, though 587 is a centerpiece, so if you sold off all the non-NKP stuff, you wouldn't have much. I think there is more Santa Fe and PRR equipment than NKP, though some pieces are painted as NKP. Unfortunatley, given the problems with moving old equipment by train and the lack of a connection at Tipton, moving to Frankfort would be very difficult and very costly at best.

The traction collection could still easily stay in Noblesville as part of the park, and it may be time that a second group run that part with the mainline people running the rest.

James