"Hazmat spill" at Indiana Transp. Museum

Alexander D. Mitchell IV · **Posted:** Wed May 31, 2017 5:26 pm

I'm just gonna leave this here without comment.

http://www.wthr.com/article/hazardous-c ... ion-museum

Quote:

City officials notified ITM they are in "serious default" of their lease of their property in Forest Park because of their "unlawful handling of hazardous chemicals", according to a press release from the city. Noblesville is giving ITM 60 days to contain all chemicals and 90 days to develop a plan for the permanent removal of all contamination, and to give the city contact information for a licensed environmental firm or individual who will supervise all the work to make sure the cleanup is handled properly.

“Despite numerous efforts over the years to encourage ITM to address some housekeeping concerns they have allowed within their property, the Parks Board had no idea what hazardous conditions existed on the other side of the fence,” Scott Noel, president of the Noblesville Parks and Recreation board of directors, said in a statement. “We are disappointed that ITM has violated the terms of its lease with the Parks Board and by allowing their carelessness to endanger one of the greatest assets in the City of Noblesville – Forest Park.”

An ITM statement in response is cited in the article.

wilkinsd · **Posted:** Wed May 31, 2017 5:37 pm

ITM needs political friends, and it appears they have none.

We can search through the archives, but the condition of the museum's "collection" at the park has been the issue of consternation and strained relations between the museum and city before.

The bottom line, if you own your own property, you have a lot more leeway in what you can do with it. Lease your railroad and museum site from government entities, then you are always playing roulette with your organization's future.

dinwitty · **Joined:** Wed Oct 22, 2008 8:18 pm **Posts:** 2226

will you post up ITM's response?

David · **Joined:** Sun Aug 22, 2004 1:48 am **Posts:** 106

Statement from John McNichols, Indiana Transportation Museum Board Chair

Wednesday, May 31, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Available at: http://itm.org/reply-statement-to-allegations-of-environmental-issues-at-the-indiana-transportation-museum/

Quote:

"The pronouncement by the City of Noblesville and the Noblesville Parks Department about alleged environmental issues at the Indiana Transportation Museum site comes to us as a complete surprise. It is significant that Mayor Ditsler’s office cancelled a meeting scheduled for this morning (Wednesday, 5/31) with new ITM leaders where this could have been discussed and resolved. We were not aware of their concerns until the city’s news release and we have not been contacted by city officials."

"This is another example of local political leaders' unwillingness to work with the ITM and its new leadership to resolve differences. This latest release is simply another trumped up charge to reduce the significant public outcry against the cities of Fishers and Noblesville to rip up the rails."

"The ITM has been in Forest Park since 1990. The site is a maintenance facility for vintage locomotives and other railroad historic artifacts. Museum maintenance personnel store and handle fuels and lube oils in the maintenance and operation of equipment. There are no known violations on the park property. To the best of our knowledge there have been no violations or complaints registered with IDEM. ITM pledges full cooperation with IDEM and their contractors to resolve any issues. Our new ITM management and staff will be addressing possible ground contamination issues with Hamilton County and IDEM to establish a plan to resolve any issues."

"The Indianapolis Transportation Museum continues to believe in the economic and historic benefits of the Museum’s Nickel Plate trains and the entertainment, dreams and memories they offer. Our trains, crews and track have been certified by the Federal Railroad Administration and we continue to be bewildered at the opposition local leaders have to a true community asset."

dinwitty · **Joined:** Wed Oct 22, 2008 8:18 pm **Posts:** 2226

I'm hearing echoes of a Kingston Mayor...watch out for parked fire trucks,...

Why is this such a repititious concept? Did anyone from the city walk into the museum and take samples? Otherwise its looking like bloated politicalism.

Ed Kapuscinski · **Posted:** Fri Jun 02, 2017 1:04 pm

dinwitty wrote:

Why is this such a repititious concept?

Have you talked to your average railroad enthusiast? In my experience, most of them aren't what I'd call a "people" person.

The wrong interaction at the wrong time can have disastrous effects.

I'm not saying that's the case here, but my point is that it's something that people in this field need to stay very aware of.

Dennis Storzek · **Posted:** Fri Jun 02, 2017 1:21 pm

dinwitty wrote:

I'm hearing echoes of a Kingston Mayor...watch out for parked fire trucks,...

Why is this such a repititious concept? Did anyone from the city walk into the museum and take samples? Otherwise its looking like bloated politicalism.

Because the average railway museum begs for space in a park for a museum, then moves in with a junk yard.

Steamguy73 · **Joined:** Wed Dec 24, 2014 3:15 pm **Posts:** 635

Notice that this is happening right around the time the mayors of Noblesville and Fishers Indiana agree on wanting to make a trail on the railway ROW. ITM has posted a response on Facebook about the concern I will link below.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_ ... 2827800713

Sounds like a political scam to hurt the ITM's credibility, therefore getting the public to support the trail over the Rails.

j32885 · **Posted:** Fri Jun 02, 2017 7:14 pm

Not sure how many more punches ITM can take before they're ALL FINISHED! *_*

The Negative List Keeps Growing
- Mismanagement
- Budget Issues
- Car Accidents
- HHPA Dispute
- Transit ROW Proposal
- Rail -> Trail Proposal
- Rail Operator Change Proposal

And Now...Hazmat Spills/Dangerous Chemicals!?!? @_@

Here's Call Indy 6 Investigation:
http://www.theindychannel.com/news/call ... ion-museum

Indy RTV ABC 6's Photos:
http://www.theindychannel.com/news/phot ... ion-museum

Indiana Journal Report:
https://www.ibj.com/articles/64027-nobl ... 2017-05-31

Indiana Railroads Bull Session: Museums Threads (40+ Pages On ITM Issues)
https://indianarailroads.org/board/inde ... =18391.760

Current Status Of Nickel Plate Road 587
http://ogrforum.ogaugerr.com/topic/nick ... e-road-587

I'm most concerned about saving NKP 587. IF it were possible...I would like to see FWRHS (NKP 765) come in to rescue the steamer, they getting sister mikado NKP 624 from Hammond, IN. ITM also got PRR 6565 RPO/Tool Car and the N&W/L&N (ITM) 220166 "Big Emma" Aux. Water Tender. These 2 would always accompany NKP 587 pulling long distance steam excursions.

Here's ITM Overall Roster

Indiana Transportation Museum Collection
http://itm.org/museum/equipment-roster/

Again IF ITM were to go under/evicted/bankrupt/out of business. Then as a rail community of preservationists we are going to need to find New Homes for these rail pieces.

Enjoy?! -_-

dinwitty · **Joined:** Wed Oct 22, 2008 8:18 pm **Posts:** 2226

dinwitty wrote:

Did anyone from the city walk into the museum and take samples?

I'm quoting myself to ask this question because nobody else did.

mikefrommontana · **Posted:** Sat Jun 03, 2017 1:14 am

Bet good odds are that the "haz mat" consists of used railroad ties. Obviously the Indiana Transportation Musuem has run afoul of the local political culture. Hope they can sort it out.

Michael Seitz
Missoula MT