About Hoosier Heartland Trolley Co. | Indiana Nonprofit 501(c)(3)

About The Organization

A nonprofit 501(c)(3) preserving and re-creating Indiana’s electric railway heritage with trolleys, people and stories that spark the imagination.

The Hoosier Heartland Trolley Co. was founded in 2018 as an Indiana nonprofit, 501(c)(3) corporation to save the last remaining cars from Indiana’s electric railway heritage. The organization exists to spark imagination in people across all walks of life through experiencing the art, science, culture, technology and economic empowerment of Indiana’s world-renowned electric railway industry from the 20th century.

OUR MISSION

Hoosier Heartland Trolley Co. exists to spark imagination in people of all ages by bringing all walks of life together to experience the art, science, culture, technology and economic empowerment of Indiana’s world-renowned electric railway industry from the 20th century.
OUR VISION
Hoosier Heartland Trolley Co. is energizing small town America by developing an electric heritage railroad to tell the story of Indiana’s development through the lens of the everyday Hoosiers who made it a reality. This will be an immersive experience set within the context of an existing, everyday Indiana town as a community-based, historic asset - creating opportunity as the electric railways themselves once did.

Frequently Asked Questions

OUR PLAN

Phase 1 - Rescue

We will relocate our collection to a secure, private site for stabilization until a permanent home is secured.

Completed fall of 2018 -

Read the recap of THI&E No. 81 and Union Traction No. 429 and No. 437

Read about the relocation of the last Indianapolis streetcar, Indianapolis Railways No. 153

phase 2 - Restore

We will engage with industry professionals to restore our collection of trolleys to operation, starting with Indiana Union Traction Interurban No. 429.

-Our Electrify 429 Campaign aims to have our first car “Noblesville” restored by its 100th birthday in 2025.

Electrify 429

Phase 3 - Run

We will secure a permanent site in which to maintain, operate and interpret our collection and associated artifacts for public education, transportation and entertainment.

- Our company goal is to have a permanent site secured in Central Indiana along with a strategic site plan by 2023, which will mark the 5-year anniversary of the organization’s founding.

Phase 4 - Revive

As part of our long-term vision, Hoosier Heartland Trolley Co. will create an immersive experience to revive the electric railway setting that was once commonplace in Indiana. This immersive experience will serve as a dynamic, entertaining and educational economic development tool in the form of the state’s only electric heritage railway.

⚡️ Exciting News! ⚡️

🎉 The Hoosier Heartland Trolley Company is excited to announce that interurban No. 429 has received a $4,999 Heritage Support Grant provided by the Indiana Historical Society and made possible by Lilly Endowment, Inc. The grant

🏗 Our team has been working long hours to return Union Traction interurban no. 429's interior to its 1925-built splendor. As we lead up to the big reveal, we're showcasing the tedious prep work, priming, and paint base coat process that precedes rec

🏗 The journey to return Union Traction interurban no. 429's interior back to its 1925-built splendor continues as volunteers have spent the spring completing wall and ceiling restoration work in preparation for recreating the car's red mahogany faux

If you're on the nice list, the Singer engine just might bring you a new sewing machine from Santa's workshop. 🧵🎅 After a tremendous year of growth and excitement, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of our volunteers, supporters and fans!
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🏅Watch the video of our interurban train's first steps in 83 years, read the latest update and support at the link in our bio.

⚡️When our ancestors traveled the Hoosier Heartland a century ago, they might have done so aboard a high-speed electric i

⚡️ It's been an electrifying year bringing Union Traction interurban No. 429 back to life for the first time in 83 years - even more so was sharing the Hoosier icon in action at our sold-out public open house! Thanks to the support of donors from acr

This Halloween, an Indiana interurban train lives again! 👻🎃
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#halloween #halloween2023 #pumpkincarving #pumpkinart #jackolantern #pumpkin #trolley #train #streetcar #interurban #railroad #railway #igersindiana #hoosiergrammers

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. After a full mechanical rebuild

Between 1925 and 1940, one of Indiana's last, famed high-speed-electric interurban trains graced rural landscapes, small towns and cities on lines radiating from Indianapolis like spokes on a wheel. After 83 years, our old friend lives again, and we

Anti-Discrimination And Harassment Policy

HHTC and its Board of Directors are committed to providing a workplace (volunteer or compensated) and guest experience free from harassment and discrimination based upon, but not limited to, race, ethnicity, religious belief, sex, age, marital status, national origin or ancestry, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other category protected under federal, state or local law. HHTC has developed this policy to ensure that all volunteers, employees, community partners, and guests can enjoy an environment free from harassment, discrimination-based harassment, and retaliation. Any complaints or acts in violation of this statement and established company policies will be investigated and promptly addressed.

Board of Directors & Department Managers

Leadership

***Board of Directors***
**President,** Cameron Nichols; **Vice President,** Austin Mace; **Treasurer,** Jakob Stage; **Secretary,** Lavonne Stage; **Members-at-Large,** Matthew Kertes
***Managers***
**Volunteer Coordinator,** Michelle Yerkeson; **Chief Mechanical Officer,** Jakob Stage; **Collections Manager,** Lavonne Stage; **Community Outreach Coordinator,** Aaron Hutchinson; **Company Store Manager,** Matthew Kertes
The Hoosier Heartland Trolley Company seeks to develop the board with community leaders, business professionals, and experts of various nonprofit and museum-related disciplines who are passionate and committed to our **plan, mission, vision**, and **core values.**
The board’s current professional expertise is comprised of emerging technology/entrepreneurship, marketing/advertising, transportation, logistics, sales, agricultural consulting, and education.