F9A To Pull NKP Heritage RR Trains

A former Erie Mining Company F9A will be used by the Nickel Plate Heritage Railroad to pull its excursion trains in Indiana.

The tourist operation, which will be operated by Atlanta Pacific Rail, has acquired the EMD unit from the Vermilion Valley Railroad in western Indiana.

The F9A was built for Erie Mining in August 1956 and was one of 87 similar models constructed between 1954 and 1956.

“Nickel Plate Heritage Railroad and Atlanta Pacific Rail are fortunate to have acquired such an historic locomotive to power its trains,” said Tom Hoback, owner of Atlanta Pacific Rail. “This classic locomotive will recreate the high point of rail passenger travel in America during the 1950s”.

The NKP Heritage Railroad will feature former Santa Fe Hi-Level passenger cars once operations of the Nickel Plate Express begin in the fall.

Excursions will operate regularly every Saturday and Sunday from Atlanta to Noblesville.

Cab Units Show up on Indiana Short Line

Two Erie Mining F unit have made their way to Indiana short line Vermilion Valley. The cab units arrived on the 8-mile line last Saturday.

A part of the Indiana Boxcar family, the Vermilion Valley operates from Olin, Ind., to Danville, Ill., where it connects with CSX, Kankakee, Beaverville & Southern, and Norfolk Southern.