Grant awarded for interurban Restoration steps, ladders and "cowcatcher"
Union Traction interurban no. 427, shown at Anderson, Ind. when new, displays the iconic “cowcatcher” or pilot on the front just above the track, while the baggage room ladders can be seen on the side just below the sliding door.
Design and test-fitting of the vestibule steps where passengers board takes place.
The Hoosier Heartland Trolley Company is excited to announce that interurban No. 429 has received a $4,999 Heritage Support Grant from the Indiana Historical Society. The grant project will provide for new boarding steps, baggage room ladders and the iconic “cowcatcher” or pilot on the front, which resembles a snowplow and prevents objects from being caught underneath the train. HHTC’s talented volunteers are currently undertaking this work, and all components have been designed and drawn to match the original photos and blueprints.
Vestibule steps begin to take shape thanks to a Heritage Support Grant provided by the Indiana Historical Society that was made possible by Lilly Endowment, Inc.
Electrify 429, a capital campaign for the operational restoration of Union Traction Company of Indiana interurban No. 429 - an intercity electric railway car - aims to significantly complete the historic car by its centennial celebration in 2025. Thanks to donors and prior grants, the interurban car is now operational, taking its first steps in more than 80 years in 2023 after being stripped of all equipment and turned into an office building.
Cameron Nichols, president of HHTC, comments, “This project, while straightforward in nature, has proven research-intensive to recreate authentic equipment to museum standards. The revival of this Hoosier icon would not be possible without the support of our partners at the Indiana Historical Society and the generosity of Lilly Endowment, Inc.”
Prior to this project, the main passenger compartment was restored to its 1925 faux-red-mahogany interior thanks to a grant from the National Railway Historical Society and more than 1,000 volunteer hours.
Union Traction Company No. 429 “Noblesville” was built in 1925 as a modern, heavy-duty car to transport Hoosiers to and from Indianapolis – connecting major towns and cities through the world’s premier electric railway network. Because of the interurban, many gained a cost-effective, rapid mode of transportation to reach schools and businesses, forever changing the landscape and development of Indiana.
No. 429 will serve the organization and the greater Indiana community as part of the state’s only electric heritage railway. This community development project will provide authentic, immersive experiences aboard the state’s last electric railway cars for education, placemaking and economic development.
Heritage Support Grants are provided by the Indiana Historical Society and made possible by Lilly Endowment, Inc.
Volunteers remove the wooden vestibule floor for water damage repairs as the boarding steps are built.