Memoir 2 of 4

d) Other roads in close proximity

Salem, Indiana

This southbound train, from Milwaukee Road’s Southeastern Division, was shot near Salem, Indiana. It is utilizing Milwaukee Road’s trackage rights on the Louisville & Nashville (Monon) between Bedford, Indiana, and Louisville, Kentucky. Image taken during the mid- to late-1970s.

Milwaukee Road—Southeastern Division

A cold night in Jasonville, Indiana, finds two GP20s laying over. This route was originally the Chicago, Terre Haute, and Southeastern Railway. It was first leased by the Milwaukee Road in 1921. One can go to this site to see a history compiled by Chad M. Pfitzer. Two images taken January 24th 1977.

B&O Indiana Division

This image was made on the Indiana Division, Washington Subdivision, of the B&O. This location, where the line crosses Beaver Creek, is just west of a tunnel that lies between Huron and Shoals, west of Mitchell. The train is westbound and has GP40-2 number 4106 on point. The date is March 14th 1976.

The Baltimore & Ohio in Southern Indiana

Another westbound freight is seen here on the Indiana Division of the B&O. The train is exiting Big Tunnel, which is located in Tunnelton, Indiana, which is east of Mitchell.

EMD GP38 number 4813 is on point—the B&O ran relatively new second generation power at this time. My youthful penchant for the wide-angle lens is apparent in this image taken in the mid- to late-1970s.

The Southern Railway in Indiana

These two photographs were made on the Southern Railway line that travels through Indiana from Louisville to St. Louis. I recall being very impressed by this operation in terms of track and first-rate motive power. This railroad also experimented early with distributed power.

In the top image an eastbound train, with SD45 number 3152 on point, was photographed near Milltown, Indiana, on November 11th 1975. The railroad was known for running its engines long hood forward for protection of the crews in the event of a collision.

The bottom image shows a high-short-hood GP30, number 2600, with white flags displayed. It is moving an extra eastward on October 3rd 1976 near Temple, Indiana. As far as I know, the Southern Railway was the only road, other than the Norfolk & Western, to favor high-short-hoods in the second generation era.

Conrail, West of Avon

After the formation of Conrail (operations began 1 April 1976), I would venture up to Avon Yard, west of Indianapolis, to see assorted motive power from several northeast railroads. From there I would head west to an overpass to await what trains might come along on the former New York Central (Big Four) double-track right-of-way.

In this series of images we see a westbound with some auto racks, unprotected at that time (which is difficult to imagine), with a caboose bringing up the rear. I’m not sure what that second unit is, and I regret not making notes at the time. Probably taken in 1977.

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III Illinois

The Illinois Central Mainline

SD40A 6021 leads a southbound train on the Illinois Central double-track mainline. This image was made just south of Humboldt, between Arcola and Mattoon. The bridge carries the mainline over a stream called Flat Branch.

The Illinois Central was the only railroad that owned this EMD model—which was an SD40 built on a SDP40/45 frame to accommodate a larger fuel tank (of 5000 gallons). Image taken on July 3rd 1976.

Southbound Panama Limited

This Amtrak train, seen at Champaign, Illinois, is being led by E-unit 353 (formerly of the Baltimore & Ohio). Two GE P30PHs and possibly an EB unit make up the rest of the consist this night. Thanks to John Maxfield for the location. Image made on November 20th 1976.

On Illinois Central’s Main Line

This train is headed south on IC’s mainline just south of Watson, Illinois. That second unit is an interesting one: it’s a former Columbus and Greenville SD28, of which there were two. Incidentally, EMD constructed only six of these units for use in this country.

It's interesting to note that this view is no longer possible due to trees growing between the highway (on which the phtographer stands) and the rail bridge. Taken mid- to late 1970s.

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Night—Bloomington, Illinois

Bloomington was a haven for GM&O covered wagons in the 1970s. GM&O F3 808B and Illinois Central SW9 439 are seen laying over on the eve of the Bicentennial: July 3rd 1976. Lighting was provided by Ron Potsch.

Up and Under

These images come from the GM&O in central Illinois. This northbound train is at Green Ridge between Nilwood and Girard. The line overhead is C&NW’s South Pekin-Madison line. Many thanks to to Terry Harris and Bill Edrington for the location and other useful information. Image made on 21 May 1977.

Rounded Ends

A southbound Amtrak train, the Inter-American, speeds by the depot at Lexington, Illinois. It’s beautiful to see an E-unit up front and a rounded-end observation car bringing up the rear—as the visionary designers of this equipment intended.

This line was Illinois Central Gulf at the time, but I think of it as GM&O’s mainline between Chicago and St. Louis. (Others, with more experience, might think of it as the Alton.) Three images taken 22 May 1977.