The Town of North Judson is expected to choose an operator for its short line railroad in the near future, possibly as soon as tonight. The town council will meet in executive session this evening to discuss the lease proposals with Town Attorney Rachel Arndt.
So far, the town has narrowed down the list of potential operators to two: Lake State Railway and NIWX. If council members are ready to make a decision, they may do so during a public meeting scheduled this evening at 7:15. If not, North Judson Clerk-Treasurer Alicia Collins says the council may hold off on a decision until another meeting.
It remains to be seen what impact the new lease will have on the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum. The museum has been forced to suspend its excursions beyond English Lake and into LaCrosse, due to the terms of a short-term extension of the town’s operating agreement with the Chesapeake and Indiana Railroad. Town officials have been planning to include more protections for the museum’s excursions in the new lease.
