Thought I would share some good news for the Frankfort NKP Roundhouse.

Lieutenant Governor Becky Skillman has awarded Frankfort with a $49,500 planning grant the city will use to fund a feasibility planning study regarding renovations to the Historic Nickel Plate Railroad Roundhouse located on the city's west side. These federal dollars are from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. Indiana's Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) administers the grants.

"These planning studies are often the first step for communities that want to pursue new economic development opportunities," said Lt. Governor Skillman, who oversees OCRA. "These studies are costly for rural communities, but the state will continue to support communities that have a vision for improving the quality of life for Hoosiers."

Frankfort officials will use the grant to fund a feasibility planning study regarding improvements to the Historic Nickel Plate Railroad Roundhouse, located between Morrison and Walnut Streets. The Roundhouse, which was constructed in 1924 to shelter locomotives and train cars during repair, is listed as one of Indiana's 10 Most Endangered Landmarks by the Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana. The study will assess the structure and give recommendations to renovate the building for use as a business complex, museum, lodging, restaurants, and entertainment venue.

The CDBG grant program has proven to be an effective tool for community-based planning and research initiatives. Visit http://www.in.gov/ocra for additional information on this grant program.

I thought I'd post a few photos of the Frankfort Roundhouse, in and out, I took about 6 years ago while passing through.

Are there any railroad groups in the area looking to use NKP Roundhouse?

Thats a nice roundhouse! I wasnt even aware there was a NKP roundhouse left...what size is that turntable?

Please tell me the Bellevue (Ohio) NKP roundhouse still exists! That one is the real preservation prize as far as I'm concerned. One of the newest and largest remaining roundhouses in the East. Would be a wonderful "annex" to the Mad River and NKP Museum if a way could be found to access it without getting onto NS property.

I looked on Google Maps and found that roundhouse...looks like its still standing.

The thing about Google maps is you really don't know how old the photo is. I've seen photos from places I know that are at least 5 - 6 years old. I would like to think I would have heard if something had happened to the Bellevue roundhouse, but you never know, it could have fallen through the cracks. Anyway, it's a gem that definitely deserves saving as well.

According to a photo dated July 7, 2009, the Bellevue, OH roundhouse is still standing.

Wow alot of grown in weeds and such. is $49k going to cover it? lol

If I lived anywhere near that roundhouse, I would love to get federal grants or what not to restore it...at least the roundhouse and the turntable are there.

The 110’ former Nickel Plate turntable at Frankfort, IN, built in 1924 by the American Bridge Company (#1217), was sold to pople affiliated with the Indiana Transportation Museum, which already has a 90’ B&O turntable from the Belmont Roundhouse in Indianapolis. However it appears that the purchase was to prevent the turntable from being scrapped in hopes something positive will be done with the roundhouse. It is still in place and there are no immediate plans for its removal.

Unfortunately, incorrect according to a number of people I trust whom I talked to about it over the weekend. Been gone for at least a couple of years. Photo must have been mis-dated. Real shame.

I have found online railfan accounts of visits to the roundhouse in 2001, 2007, and 2008. I have e-mailed a railfan supposedly living in Bellevue, Ohio for confirmation. I have found no account of the roundhouse being demolished. It still appears on Google satellite views and on the Railroad Station Historical Society structures database for Ohio, though the former still shows the Crestline PRR roundhouse, demolished in early 2008.

Any chance your friends were confusing the PRR roundhouse in Crestline with the NKP one in northeast Bellevue?

It is not gone!!! http://www.frankfortroundhouse.com/

Sorry for the confusion..........

It appears Brother Woodring was referring to the former NKP Bellevue, Ohio roundhouse when he said it was gone. And I'm still not convinced on that end.

Meanwhile, keep up the good work on Frankfort!