Nickel Plate Trail is great place to exercise, see scenery

Posted: Saturday, August 15, 2009 12:00 am | Updated: 5:10 pm, Tue Sep 15, 2009.

Peter Adelsen Staff Writer | 0 comments

For decades trains rolled down the Nickel Plate tracks from Peru to Kokomo. Today, instead of trains, people are exercising and enjoying the scenery along the Nickel Plate Trail.

The Nickel Plate Trail began as an idea in 1999 after the abandoned tracks were rail-banked for the possibility of a recreational trail. The trail became a reality in 2005 as its first section of paving was completed from Peru to Bunker Hill. Now it has extended south to Cassville, just north of Kokomo.

Mike Kuepper, president of Friends of the Nickel Plate Trail, says the 12.8 mile trail is one of the best in the state with its sites, sounds and smells.

The Nickel Plate Trail passes through wooded areas, wetlands, corn fields and soybean fields. It also crosses Little Pipe Creek and passes by the Bunker Hill Dragstrip where the Union Traction railway used to be. Remnants of the Union Traction line can still be seen east of Cassville near the creek, he said.

Even though the trail has been around for a few years, people are still coming upon it for the first time.

"I have heard people who just stumbled on it," he said. "After seeing it, they come back and use it because its one of the best looking in the state."

The Nickel Plate Trail is also getting people from outside the area, he said.

"If you see the cars in the parking lots, you'll see cars from other counties and maybe other states," he said.

Besides for the casual exerciser, the trail is home to many events. The Club Kokomo Roadrunners have held races along the trail and the Cole Porter Classic is a key fundraiser.

Kuepper has been working with the trail since its beginning.

"After learning that the Nickel Plate had been rail-banked, the Indiana Trails Fund asked the community if they wanted to develop this," he said. "I talked and got organized and hired a consultant to get grants."

The corridor was later purchased from Norfolk and Southern Railroad via the Federal Rail-banking program.

The proposed trail eventually received grants from the state for paving and clearing, he said. It also received local donations for bridges

"All of it was cleared by volunteers with chainsaws with hard work and sweat," he said.

Since its completion, Eagle Scouts have also helped with the trail's development, he said.

The trail is always looking for volunteers, he said. There is no money from the state to maintain it and donations are always needed to keep it maintained, he said.

Many people who live along the trail have volunteered to take care of a mile or two of it to mow and trim trees when necessary, he said.

"I am so proud of all the volunteers. We have people from Rochester, Peru and Kokomo from quite a wide area to help develop the trail."

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