Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum’s Pumpkin, Halloween Trains to Return in October

Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum Photo

Special fall train excursions will be offered during the month of October at North Judson’s Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum. Pumpkin Trains will run the first three Saturdays in October. Passengers will enjoy a trip through the countryside to English Lake and back, before stopping at the museum’s pumpkin patch.

Continue reading

North Judson Ends Railroad Dispute by Sticking with Chesapeake and Indiana Railroad Company

Photo provided

A lengthy legal battle over North Judson’s short line railroad has ended with the town sticking with the line’s current operator. During a special session Monday, the town council approved an operating agreement with the Chesapeake and Indiana Railroad Company (CKIN). Town Attorney Justin Schramm says it lets the company continue operating the railroad for 10 years with two five-year automatic renewals.

Continue reading

Attorney’s Fees Adding Up in North Judson Railroad Dispute

The ongoing dispute between the Town of North Judson and Chesapeake and Indiana Railroad Company has put the brakes on the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum’s excursions past English Lake. Photo provided

Legal costs continue to add up for North Judson in the dispute over the town’s short line railroad. The town is paying several thousand dollars a month to Chicago-based railroad regulatory attorney Thomas McFarland to help deal with two ongoing lawsuits.

Continue reading

Two Starke County Organizations Receive Operation Round up Grants

Two Starke County organizations have been awarded grant funds from the Kankakee Valley REMC Operation Round Up program.

Community Services of Starke County received $3,300 grant to help purchase a computer system that will better serve the organization’s needs and the needs of clients. The organization helps low-income, elderly and disabled citizens in Starke County. Community Services hosts a food pantry, senior activities, meal assistance, and transportation assistance.

Continue reading

Railroad Dispute Costing Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum, Town of North Judson

The ongoing dispute between the Town of North Judson and Chesapeake and Indiana Railroad Company has put the brakes on the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum’s excursions past English Lake. Photo provided

The legal battle over North Judson’s short line railroad has town officials considering the line’s future. Last July, the town council decided to lease the line to Michigan-based Lake State Railway, but the Chesapeake and Indiana Railroad still hasn’t vacated it.

Continue reading

Surface Transportation Board Rules in North Judson’s Favor

The ongoing dispute between the Town of North Judson and Chesapeake and Indiana Railroad Company has put the brakes on the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum’s excursions past English Lake. Photo provided

An attempt by the Chesapeake and Indiana Railroad Company (CKIN) to force the town of North Judson to sell its rail line has been rejected by the Surface Transportation Board.

CKIN operated the short-line railroad under an arrangement with the town for 10 years. Their agreement also allowed the North Judson-based Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum to operate excursion trains on the line. Continue reading