From Hoosier Heartland Trolley Company president Austin Mace and the Board of Directors
2019 was a banner year for the Hoosier Heartland Trolley Company, with a number of projects starting throughout the organization and taking shape. A handful of the highlights from the past twelve months include:
Electrify 429 - an effort to return a pice of our world-famous electric railway history to life for the first time in nearly 80 years - kicked off on 4/29.
Attaining 501c3 nonprofit organization status with the IRS - View our Silver-rated Guidestar profile
Completing stabilization of artifacts for long-term storage and immediate restoration
Kicking off our Electrify 429 capital campaign to raise funds necessary to restore the car to operating condition and educate the public as to its significance and rarity
Beginning wiring work on No. 429, as well as, starting cosmetic restoration work on the interior of the car
Attending both Heritage Rail Alliance conferences in Sacramento, CA and Squamish, BC to learn from other member organizations as how to create a best-in-class electric heritage railway.
Reaching an agreement to operate interurban No. 429 at Headwaters Junction in Fort Wayne, Indiana - its native home
Securing essential mechanical and electrical components for the restoration of No. 429 from generous donors and institutions
Successfully kicking off our first year of fundraising events and community outreach
Working with several archives and universities to conduct in-depth research for proper restoration
Acquiring historic streetcar rail that our sole-surviving Indianapolis Railways streetcar, No. 153, once rode to Broad Ripple Village along College Ave.
Troops ride from Fort Benjamin Harrison on No. 429 to Indianapolis during the 1930s - Krambles-Peterson Archive Photo
None of the above would be possible without the generous support of our donors and partners - people just like you. As year-end approaches, please consider a tax-deductible donation to our Electrify 429 campaign or general fund. Donations can be made online or by mailing a check to our corporate address at 4550 Central Ave. Suite 201D Indianapolis, Ind. 46205.
Volunteers prepare to wood-grain the interior of interurban No. 429 - an interior design process popular during the Roaring 20s.
As we head into 2020, work will continue on interurban No. 429, as well as other special projects, like the recent acquisition of an ultra-rare artifact (more to come soon!) that will require capital to move and stabilize.
HHTC is currently in the process of working with donors and foundations to secure funding for No. 429 that will allow us to make significant headway towards completing Phase I - cosmetic restoration of the smoking section, as well as, begin Phase II - Mechanical. With several new volunteers eagerly applying to be part of our exciting endeavor, consider making volunteerism a New Year’s resolution! There are multiple ways to get involved - from administration to community outreach, from fundraising to restoration. We welcome volunteers of all backgrounds and age groups and have flexible times and dates to meet your schedule.
We thank you for your continued support, and with that, let the roaring twenties begin anew!
Interurban No. 429 powers its own lights for the first time since 1940 with original light fixtures and new, railroad grade wiring installed during the summer/fall of 2019.