Just found out that Indiana Union Traction Company number 429 recently operated under its own power, moving a few feet forward and then back, on rails in its restoration barn. A big step forward for this group!

Les

I saw that, was also intrigued that they are looking for a place to string wires. https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews ... ar-no-429/ One such place comes to mind: apparently there is a section of former Indiana Railroad interurban in Southern Indiana, still with its rail, that shut down as a short line earlier this year. https://www.facebook.com/hoosiertrolley ... 2z5Vxf6U4b

"After 83 years, it's been a long time coming. Welcome back, old friend. ⚡
A century ago, Indiana's high-speed interurban electric trains empowered Hoosiers to pursue an education, expand economic opportunity, visit loved ones, quickly ship perishable goods - and, electrify rural communities. For the first time since 1940, more than 83 years later, interurban no. 429 lives again as the only original Indiana interurban operational within the state.
Those who last rode and operated the car lived in an era prior to the reign of television, interstate highways, smartphones and the internet. Serving as a gravel pit office for nearly 25 years, stripped of all components, followed by more than 50 years in storage and narrowly escaping the fate of being lost forever, no. 429 again gracing rails within the Hoosier State is cause for celebration.
This accomplishment is thanks in no small part to two Heritage Support Grants provided by the Indiana Historical Society and made possible by Lilly Endowment, Inc., more than 3,500 volunteer hours and nearly $100,000 in total contributions, including grants.
We're excited to share a glimpse of everyday life in early Indiana through experiencing one of these machines.
So, what does it take to bring an antique machine the size of a house back to life? Climb aboard to find out."

Congrats! I had fielded some email inquires from the group about the air brakes. It seems they are using U-4 valves from CTA 4000s? The car was preserved as a body originally, not sure what kind of trucks or motors it is on now.

That is great news; I love Interurbans, I worked at the
Western Railway Museum for thirty years because they specialize in this kind of rail car, and run a bunch of them on preserved interurban rails!

TM WRM member, retired but still interested

Back in 2019 the HHTC put out a facebook post that said this:


So it seemed that operating on some of the trackage acquire by FWRHS from NS was due to be electrified. Since, I believe a good portion (or maybe all) of the Fort Wayne property was sold to the City. If FWRHS still has ownership of land along the NS mainline, and the track within the center of Polk St, it may make a nice route for the 429 to operate.

There are other locations I have scouted out via the web. HHTC probably has thought of them, but I will not speculate here. Staying close to Russiaville would have the advantage of keeping this core volunteer group able to participate without relocating their jobs and lives. As interesting as the track and carbarn in Speed, IN is, I think it would be a major change that would add a lot of stress to the group, though Louisville is a more populous city than Fort Wayne.

Speed was discussed at this thread:
http://www.rypn.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=44139

From their website and facebook page I have gleaned that the brake system and most of the electrical system came from what they described as a "1920s El car," and that the trucks are from Iowa from long-scrapped equipment with similar trucks, which could be Iowa Terminal but they didn't say, I recall the use of the word locomotive or engine, so it could have been a freight motor. There are currently only two traction motors, one per truck, which required rebuilding. They apparently scrounged the cab controls from all over.

HHTC probably got many parts from the various 4000s that were being scrapped at Noblesville.
I think a lot were acquired for parts anyway.
The trucks are apparently from Cedar Rapids and Iowa City #55, a Baldwin steeplecab scrapped by the HHTC.

For a story, 39 photos, and a video, see this wonderful blog:
https://www.hoosiertrolley.org/live-wire-blog-1/historic-indiana-interurban-runs-again

A little on locomotive 55:
https://pnaerc.blogspot.com/2018/10/electric-locomotive-leaves-noblesville.html

That's unfortunate. I've suddenly lost interest in what these guys are doing.

In a pure pristine world, a good subset of every train would be preserved, especially if you did not have to do it.

The dirty side of railroad preservation is that not everything makes it. After a while, you see its OK. There are many 4000s. There are even a good number of Baldwin Steeplecabs. When a screwed up or overextended group like the old Noblesville ITM goes under, you are just happy that the good parts go to use, and don't wind up in a scrapyard.

Not much more to say about this. I am so happy to see young people along with older folks working on traction and having a vision for doing more. I see it in many places.

Postscript:
According to the Hicks blog, IRM has scrapped around 75 rail cars or locomotives.

Reading this it makes more sense.

The latest in the PA Trolley Museum "Trolleyology" series consists of a presentation by the Hoosier Heartland group....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dg6UuQSeGeo
They have achieved quite a lot in the space of 5 years!

At least some components from CRandIC #55 were saved. Ex-KCC steeplecab #703 was cut up at Boone, IA in mid-October of this year and virtually nothing was saved.

Once a piece of equipment - at least one that doesn't happen to be an almighty steam locomotive - gets shoved into the back of an open facility and the local delinquents and/or tweakers break into it, it often doesn't make it out alive. Becoming an organ donor isn't the best outcome, but it is better than nothing.

Indeed it is unfortunate that usable components were not salvaged from the Kennecott Copper locomotive. The engine itself was a bit different, being huge and I think of a higher voltage than most other traction equipment typically preserved. I hope the remaining traction equipment sitting along the former route of the Fort Dodge Des Moines and Southern can survive and feel the juice sometime.
https://pnaerc.blogspot.com/2023/09/kennecott-copper-steeplecab-scrapped.html