Indiana Union Traction

Electrify 429 update: One of Indiana’s last interurbans lives again

Electrify 429 update: One of Indiana’s last interurbans lives again

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. For the first time since 1940, more than 83 years later, interurban no. 429 lives again as the only original Indiana interurban operational within the state. This accomplishment is thanks in no small part to two Heritage Support Grants provided by the Indiana Historical Society and made possible by Lilly Endowment, Inc., more than 3,500 volunteer hours and nearly $100,000 in total contributions.

$40,000 grant awarded for Indiana interurban car to operate for first time in more than 80 years

$40,000 grant awarded for Indiana interurban car to operate for first time in more than 80 years

Interurban No. 429 has received a $40,000 Heritage Support Grant provided by the Indiana Historical Society and made possible by Lilly Endowment, Inc. The grant project will allow the car to move and stop under its own power for the first time since 1940, marking a significant achievement on the journey to establishing the state’s only electric heritage railroad. The organization is raising $6,000 for a 15 percent match in new fundraising as part of the grant, amplifying donor impact by more than six-fold.

Electrify 429 : Indiana Interurban Revival | Fall 2020 Update

Electrify 429 : Indiana Interurban Revival | Fall 2020 Update

HHTC’s tremendous volunteers have worked on average three to four days per week, collaborating in small groups with COVID-19 precautions. Careful planning and project management has enabled the near completion of Phase One, cosmetic restoration of the car’s interior smoking section, along with the beginning of Phase Two, mechanical and electrical restoration of the car to operating condition.

Grant awarded for Indiana interurban car from the Tom E. Dailey Foundation

Grant awarded for Indiana interurban car from the Tom E. Dailey Foundation

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.

Historic rails from College Avenue reunited with last Indianapolis streetcar

Historic rails from College Avenue reunited with last Indianapolis streetcar

Historic rail from Indianapolis’ well-known streetcar system has been awarded to the nonprofit Hoosier Heartland Trolley Company through a collaborative effort amongst Midtown Indy, the Arts Council of Indianapolis and IndyGo. The rail from College Avenue once carried the company’s Indianapolis Railways streetcar No. 153, which is the last one known in existence.

From the President's Desk: Year One in Review

From the President's Desk: Year One in Review

It’s hard to believe that already one year has gone by since the founding of our organization. As a quick introduction, my name is Austin Mace and I am the current president of the Hoosier Heartland Trolley Company (HHTC). I wanted to take this opportunity to highlight what we’ve accomplished in the past 365 days, where we’re going next and how we got here in the first place. 

Sparking Innovation – Electrifying Indiana’s First Traffic Light

Sparking Innovation – Electrifying Indiana’s First Traffic Light

Leslie Haines was born in 1883 in rural Hamilton County, Ind. at Carmel, which numbered less than 400 residents at the time. Following his dream, Haines enlisted in 1906 and circumnavigated the globe in Roosevelt’s Great White Fleet, training under Dr. Lee DeForest, a leader in the development of wireless technology. Meanwhile, the Union Traction Company of Indiana had set up shop in Carmel, allowing Carmel residents and storeowners to tap into a valuable new asset: electricity.

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Hoosier Heartland Trolley Co. is a registered nonprofit 501 (c)(3) corporation within the State of Indiana. EIN | 83-1434524

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