In case you missed it in Flimsies, here's a bit more on the former NKP roundhouse in Frankfort, Indiana. As usual, folks interested in other parts of history seem to see its importance more than those in our own field of railroad history.

http://www.historiclandmarks.org/news/2 ... t04-2.html

I was up there in 1988 and again in 1990 when NKP 587 ran through there. In 1990 it ran a trip from Frankfort to Muncie and return. We got a shot of 587 on the turntable at the roundhouse as I recall. Its in one of our "Great Steam Train" videos. I always thought this would make a great place for a steam operation. There is also an old coaling tower in the yard. The problem is NS still uses the tracks!!! Back in 1990, the NS steam program was still going gangbusters, and 587 had spent time in 1989 running some trips for NS(Doubleheader Ft Wayne to Roanoke, and then at the Asheville NRHS Convention).

Greg Scholl

There's a website somewhere that has many photos of this neat mikado on the turnable, in the roundhouse, and underneath the coaling tower. Perhaps the owner's website?

Joshua

Are there any structural issues with the building or is it relatively sound? Is NS willing to sell it?

I believe I read somewhere that NS had offered to give it away, but can't remember where I read that. An attempt to converse about the site on the NKP discussion group quickly turned into a vociferous diatribe against taxes and government by one vocal member, so the thread was stopped. To me, the place really does look like the best place to gather some of the rusting park derelicts left from the NKP, plus a few of the early diesels. I think Frankfort and Bellvue, Ohio may be the only NKP roundhouses still standing, but don't know for sure.

I believe I read somewhere that NS had offered to give it away, but can't remember where I read that. An attempt to converse about the site on the NKP discussion group quickly turned into a vociferous diatribe against taxes and government by one vocal member, so the thread was stopped. To me, the place really does look like the best place to gather some of the rusting park derelicts left from the NKP, plus a few of the early diesels. I think Frankfort and Bellvue, Ohio may be the only NKP roundhouses still standing, but don't know for sure.

The Frankfort roundhouse is the topic of my graduate thesis (which will be completed in a matter of weeks), and I've been researching/writing about this structure for nearly a year now. It is one of four remaining roundhouses within Indiana, and it is, as Bob mentioned, one of two extant NKP roundhouses. The Clinton County Chamber of Commerce was initially approached in 1996 about acquiring the building from NS, but they refused it due to the fact that "transforming the roundhouse into a working museum is too big of a project for the citizens and taxpayers of Frankfort and Clinton County."

A small group of citizens (Nickel Plate and Monon Preservation Society) in Frankfort have been in and are continuing talks with the real estate area of NS, but I heard over the past few days that NS is planning to remove all of the rails from inside the building and the turntable. As you probably know, the building remains on HLFI's Ten Most Endangered List for 2005. If you'd like anymore information, I'd be happy to tell you whatever I can.

I'd be interested in more information. Please contact me offline.

Thanks,
Gerald W. Kopiasz

[quote="bobyar2001"] I think Frankfort and Bellvue, Ohio may be the only NKP roundhouses still standing, but don't know for sure.[/quote]

I'm pretty sure the roundhouse at Calumet (Chicago,IL) is still standing, unless something has changed recently.