North Judson Taking Steps to Finalize Railroad Sale, Discussions over LaCrosse Property Continue

The Town of North Judson is finalizing plans for the sale of its short-line railroad. Last month, the town’s redevelopment commission voted to sell the 33-mile railroad corridor to Midwest & Bluegrass Rail for $2,725,000. The deal cleared another procedural hurdle last week, when the commission passed a resolution confirming the corridor’s economic development area, which was initially created last summer.

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Steam Locomotive To Be on Display in North Judson Saturday

The centerpiece of the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum’s collection will make a rare public appearance tomorrow. Chesapeake & Ohio steam locomotive 2789 will be on display at the Erie Trail Rest Park on State Road 10, according to the museum’s website. It’s meant to coincide with the Erie Trail Travelers’ Chili Ride and Starke County Tourism’s Bloomers Run.

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Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum Hopes New Railroad Operator Could Allow LaCrosse Trips to Resume

The Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum is expressing optimism with the new operator of North Judson’s short line railroad. A company called Midwest & Bluegrass Rail announced last month that it had purchased the Chesapeake and Indiana Railroad, as well as three other short lines, from the Indiana Boxcar Corporation. Midwest & Bluegrass is a relatively new company, formed in 2019.

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Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum Offering Train Rides Saturday

Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum photo

A local attraction will once again be welcoming visitors to North Judson this weekend. The Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum has been limiting its train rides to one day a month, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This Saturday, the museum will offer three 10-mile excursions to English Lake. They’ll leave the North Judson depot at 10:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:00 p.m.

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North Judson Railroad Donation Could Be Opportunity for Erie Trail Extension

Efforts to extend the Erie Trail toward Hebron could get a boost, if North Judson were to donate part of its short line railroad to the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum. That’s according to representatives from the Prairie Trails Club. Steve and Kathy Lucas voiced the group’s support for the proposal during Monday’s town council meeting.

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North Judson Town Marshal Confident That Railroad Museum Vandals Will Be Punished

The North Judson town marshal says she’s confident that there will be restitution and punishment, following last week’s vandalism at the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum. Town Marshal Kelly Fisher told the town council Monday that a break-in occurred last Thursday, and then about 30 windows were broken on the museum property the following day.

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North Judson Police Identify Four Juveniles Believed to be Responsible for Railroad Museum Vandalism

North Judson Police say they’ve identified four juveniles behind the recent theft and vandalism at the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum. In a Facebook post Sunday, Town Marshal Kelly Fisher said officers reviewed camera footage and were able to successfully identify the suspects within 24 hours of the incident being reported.

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Potential Railroad Sale Could Complicate Efforts to Extend Erie Trail

The potential sale of North Judson’s short line railroad could complicate efforts to extend the North Judson Erie Trail. The Prairie Trails Club wants to extend the trail to the northwest, alongside the railroad tracks. Starke County Economic Development Foundation Executive Director Larry Wickert told the town council Monday that in order to get a Next Level Trails grant from the state, it would help to have a permanent easement from the town.

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