For Mr Hicks, or anyone else who might have the information...

I was viewing the photos on the Dave's Electric Railroads website (www.davesrailpix.com) and noted with interest the page of traction
equipment existing in less-than-optimal preservation situations.

Of particular note was the equipment listed at the Indiana Transportation Museum, and what appears to be a private collection on a farm in Buckeye Lake, Ohio.

What is the current status of the equipment in Indiana ?
There seems to be some very unique equipment there going to rot, in particular a Union Traction combine, an Indianapolis & Cincinnati combine, and a 1902 Jewtt THI&E car. Rarities indeed, and from the photos posted, I worry about the long term prospects for these cars. The dates posted for the photos is close to four years ago,, any new information to share ?
Are these cars readily accessible for anyone to see ?

Also the private collection in Buckeye Lake,,, what is this collection ?
Is this someone's personal collection or ????
Again, is this collection accessible to anyone publicly ?

Any info appreciated

Also, how much of the historic fabric/historic integrity of any of these pieces is intact? There is a tremendous range in these factors out of all the interurban carbodies that I know of being preserved - ranging from being a gutted carbody to almost complete minus seats and mechanical items. I would argue that, in making a decision about what to preserve, intactness should be as (if not more) important that the physical condition of the remains.

Tom Cornillie

I don't know any more about the situation at ITM than I read in the "Flimsies" section on this site, but as far as I know the situation at Noblesville has not changed regarding the electric collection. Their electric car department is apparently dormant at the moment, and I don't believe any significant work has been done on the electric cars there in the past three or four years.



They're easily accessible when the museum is open - some are "officially on display," while the rest (except for two or three in the barn) can be reached by simply walking a few hundred feet further down the track. Their yard was fairly well kept up when I was there so it was easy to walk around.



The Buckeye Lake collection is the private collection of an individual and is not open for public viewing. It is, however, easily visible from I-70.

Then Tom, much of the Buckeye Lake equipment would be a goner in your assessment. I remember how it looked in my undergrad days (1993-1997), and those cars were rough then. Sad as it is to say, there are some VERY rare pieces there, but trust me---- I'm speaking from experience here ---- the man that owns that equipment (as well as his large dog) are not railfan friendly, even for questions.

The CN&Z interurban body (now cabin) just down the way, however, might be, as it is the only known piece of CN&Z equipment left that I know of (Columbus, Newark & Zanesville).

TJ Gaffney