A private not-for-profit group is taking over the Frankfort (Nickel Plate/N & W) roundhouse from Norfolk Southern. Apparently, it will be used as part of a future railroad museum. One of the involved group members is retired from Norfolk Southern and has been active in preservation of Clinton County (Frankfort) history.
What is the name of the group? Any details?? Only info I have is that the roundhouse was placed on the 10 most endangered Indiana landmarks list. Here is the info from the historiclandmarks.org website:
10 Most Endangered (2004)
Frankfort Roundhouse
(New on 10 Most list)
Between Morrison and Walnut streets on west side of Frankfort
In the age of the iron horse, engines and cars needed frequent servicing for ash removal, lubrication, coal and water replenishment, and repairs. The roundhouse as a building type developed to shelter radiating tracks and stalls for servicing engines, accessed via a rotating turntable. Beginning in the 1870s, Frankfort was a locomotive and rail car repair hub, a division point where many lines converged. In 1924, Frankfort got a new roundhouse and turntable, repair facilities called “shops,” and offices, with some elements of the earlier complex remaining.
The threat: In spite of its well-deserved role as a railroad nexus, Indiana has lost nearly all of its roundhouses. Norfolk & Southern owns Frankfort’s abandoned Clover Leaf-Nickel Plate Railroad Roundhouse and seven associated structures (two others were recently demolished). In addition to environmental challenges arising from the property’s long history as an industrial site, the rare steam-age survivor faces demolition by neglect.
For more information contact:
Tommy Kleckner
Director, Western Regional Office
Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana Western Regional Office, Terre Haute
812-232-4534
[email protected]
or
Neil Conner
Clinton County Historical Society
765-654-5617