Saving Frankfort's Railroad Heritage
Video of NKP 587 at Frankfort Roundhouse, June 1991
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Wilton, NY Writes - “Whatever happens, it will take local interest to save the facility. An authentic railroad roundhouse, if developed as a genuine historic site and not a junkyard where middle-aged adolescents play on old trains, should be a good reason to visit Frankfort, increasing local revenues."
From Baltimore, Maryland - “Frankfort, Indiana stands as a most interesting head-scratcher. It's apparently just close enough to Interstate 65 and places like Lafayette and Indianapolis to be potentially commercially viable--I'm now kicking myself that I've sailed past on I-65 twice in three years and didn't know enough to pop in and check it out.” “Frankfort does indeed look to be a site with a lot of potential”
Crown Point, Indiana - “My wife and I journied down to Indianapolis yesterday to meet my daughter and son-in-law and pick up our three grandchildren who will be spending their Spring Break with us. I took a quick sidetrip to Frankfort from Interstate 65 to take a quick look at the Frankfort roundhouse.
First of all, it is a rather quick trip down Indiana State Route 28 into Frankfort from the Interestate. And things will probably even get better as SR 28 is being rebuilt to bypass the one small town it goes through (Jefferson, Indiana) and straighten out the few curves in the road. This project looks well along and my guess is that it will be finished this year.”
Frankfort Railroad Roundhouse – Bigger Than Frankfort
Email Excerpts Encouraging Roundhouse Restoration
“In my judgment it would certainly be worthwhile to do a careful feasibility study before that community asset disappears.
Tony Koester (a well known member of the model railroading community) served as Editor in Chief of a major model railroad magazine and (he is) the long-time contributing editor of the widest read publication in the field. He has written literally dozens of articles in the railroad hobby focusing directly or indirectly upon Frankfort. Those publications are read monthly by hundreds of thousands of people throughout this country and beyond. As a result, Frankfort Indiana and its railroad history are as well-known as any community of comparable size in the country…. more widely known than any other city in Indiana. I am confident that most citizens of Frankfort are unaware of how widely spread is the reputation of their community’s rail activity.”
Elbert J. Kram
“I'm the founder of the Nickel Plate Road Historical & Technical Society
(back in 1966, when I lived in Lafayette). To allow what remains of the NKP roundhouse to perish would be a major historical and industrial archeological loss to the City of Frankfort, the State of Indiana, and to the U.S.
As I'm sure you are aware, there are very few roundhouses that remain to
show future generations how their fathers and grandfathers made a living
and contributed to the American economy. Frankfort was an especially important player in this regard, and the Nickel Plate Road was at the top of Frankfort's economic pyramid.”
J. Anthony (Tony) Koester, Newton, New Jersey
“Frankfort, Indiana has an opportunity to preserve one of the last if not the last remaining roundhouse on the (Nickel Plate) Railroad. Many rail fans, including myself would visit and promote the site due to the scarcity of standing roundhouses.”
Daniel Meckstroth, New Carlisle, Ohio
“Please make your city council aware of the tourist value of Frankfort's
old Nickel Plate roundhouse.”
Ralph Schiring, Omaha, Nebraska
“Aside from the preservation of an important part of railroad history, there is obviously the economic benefit of such a project. I can't tell you how many people will visit the restored building should that project be completed. But I can tell you that no one will visit if it is not there.
Frankfort should seriously consider taking advantage of this opportunity while it still exists. Once the roundhouse is gone, it can never be recovered.”
Dan L. Merkel, Ohio
“I support and encourage the preservation of the Frankfort roundhouse. The Frankfort Roundhouse has received recognition in countless ways.
Your city does not need to build it - just make the commitment to keep it.”
Art Lemke, St. Charles, Illinois
“The Nickel Plate roundhouse is a vital piece of the Frankfort community's railroad heritage, and its preservation could be of incredible long-term benefit to the area's economy.
Please know that support for this project transcends the local community, and extends beyond the boundaries of the State of Indiana. Everyone with an interest in history, industrial archeology, and the heritage of America's railroads has a vested interest in this preservation project.”
John T. Slater, Niagara Falls, New York
“Living in Ohio I have seen many stations and roundhouses lost to demolition.
If you wish to see a grant that worked out well, come to Sylvania, Wauseon or Toledo Ohio and look at the stations that were saved from demolition by civic groups.
These buildings have become essential parts of the historical and culture of these towns. They are used by the people who live in the communities for education, as a transportation center, etc.”
Charles Bork, Ohio