LINDEN — The Linden Depot Museum has gone solar.
A solar panel was recently installed to charge the two 12-volt batteries that power hydraulic motor for the museum’s 1837 Norris 4-2-0 steam engine replica. The replica engine was not built for use with live steam.
“The solar panel is working well and keeps the batteries charged,” said Gary Vierk from the museum. “We are proud to announce that we have the only solar-powered 1837 ‘steam’ engine in the world. We have combined 1837 and 2023 technology to show that solar power has unlimited uses.”
The museum is open noon to 5 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Admission is $6 for adults and $1 each for children and includes all museum attractions.
This summer the museum will host the 3rd Annual Midwest Railroad Fair on Aug. 12 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The fair will include railroad exhibitors, railroad vendors, food vendors and more. During the fair, the 1837 Norris 4-2-0 steam engine replica will be operated for trips at 10:30 a.m., noon, 2:30 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. Tickets are sold out, however, this is a chance to witness 1837 railroad transportation.
The Linden Depot Museum is a 501(c) nonprofit museum located at 520 N. Main St., Linden, between Lafayette and Crawfordsville. The depot is 113 years old and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
For more information, call 765-427-3630.
