Tourism Grant Dollars Earmarked for Rail Line Updates

Hoosier Valley Railroad MuseumThe Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum is the beneficiary of an Indiana Office of Tourism Development matching grant. The agency awarded the Town of North Judson a $31,897 Destination Development Grant.

That money will be used to increase awareness of the Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum among leisure travelers and enhance marketing efforts of both the attraction and state tourism. Officials say the Destination Development grant program is intended to help local economies grow by promoting the travel, tourism and hospitality industries.

The Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum operates excursion trains on the rail corridor owned by the Town of North Judson. The town and museum will match the grant in cash and in-kind labor.

The money is earmarked for what’s known as “Project 600.” Plans call for the installation of 600 new railroad ties along a stretch of track west of English Lake on the LaPorte County side of the rail line. Total project costs are estimated at $69,794.

The Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum has carried more than 42,000 passengers on its excursion trains since May of 2006. They operate mainly on Saturdays and run between North Judson, English Lake and LaCrosse from May through December. Find more information online at www.hoosiervalley.org.

 

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