The Hoosier Heartland Trolley Company is excited to announce that Electrify 429 has received a $3,000 grant from Tom E. Dailey Foundation. Electrify 429 is a capital campaign for the operational restoration of one of Indiana’s last interurbans – an intercity electric railway car. This grant will be applied towards the cosmetic restoration of the car’s smoking section as phase one of a four-phase restoration plan, which is already underway at a private facility near Indianapolis.
Phase One will consist of cosmetic work of the car’s smoking section, a small interior compartment behind the baggage room, and will be used to interpret what interurban travel accommodations looked like as part of the full restoration. The funds will be used to secure and install new flooring, refurbished ceiling panels, light fixtures, racks, and the car’s hallmark wood-grain interior finish. Since 2019, work has been underway to re-wire the car’s interior lights and prepare the smoking section for this work.
HHTC is thankful for the Dailey Foundation’s generosity, as the completion of this critical work will allow for rapid advancement into Phase Two of the car’s restoration this summer - consisting of mechanical and electrical component overhaul. The Dailey Foundation shares many of the organization’s values – including an emphasis on diversity and inclusion.
While the volunteer program is currently suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the organization is planning to safely resume work in the coming weeks, should the situation mirror Indiana’s re-opening plan. The organization will issue additional communication regarding the volunteer program in the near future.
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 had a cost-effective, rapid mode of transportation to reach schools and businesses, and thus, the landscape and development of Indiana was changed forever.
No. 429 will serve the organization and greater Hoosier community as part of the development of the state’s only electric heritage railway. This community development project is working to provide authentic, immersive experiences aboard the state’s last electric railway cars to facilitate education, entertainment, and economic opportunity for a wide array of audiences.
The organization welcomes and encourages community participation in this project through donations, community promotion, and volunteerism.