Indiana Railroading and Railfanning Through "The Hooiser State"

Indiana railroading has a rich history dating back to the 1830s and historically has not only been home to the important market of Indianapolis but also a key through route to other important markets like St. Louis (the third busiest gateway behind Chicago and Kansas City) and Chicago. Today, Indiana is home to four of the seven Class I systems and has numerous shortlines, museums and tourist railroads operating with its borders.

Indiana railroading has its beginnings dating back to 1838 when the Madison, Indianapolis & Lafayette Railroad opened its original 15-mile main line from North Madison, Indiana. Much like Illinois, Indiana had virtually no railroads prior to 1840 but this quickly changed by 1880 when the state boasted over 4,000 miles of trackage. As with Illinois, Indiana was one of the few states that had both east-west main lines accessing Chicago and Indianapolis as well as north-south key routes (Louisville & Nashville and Illinois Central).

In the coming years Indiana railroading would include several historic railroads and all three major Eastern trunk lines, the Pennsylvania Railroad, New York Central, and Baltimore & Ohio accessed the all important gateway of Chicago through the state as well as the vital railroad town of Indianapolis (Indianapolis is one of the large U.S. cities that can credit its growth directly to the help and involvement of the railroads). Other remembered railroads from Indiana include the Erie; Louisville & Nashville; Illinois Central; Chesapeake & Ohio; Nickel Plate; Southern; Wabash; and the Monon.

Indiana railroading is perhaps best remembered and known for the little Monon (known for years as the Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville Railway until its nickname became the railroad’s official name). With almost no friends and because it depended heavily on bridge traffic, the Monon Route’s owners were seriously considering completely shutting down the railroad after the Great Depression forced the carrier into yet another bankruptcy. Its savior would come in the way of wartime traffic in the early 1940s, which gave the entire industry a much-needed boost after the rough years during and after the depression. After enjoying the prosperity of wartime traffic the Monon gained its most influential president in 1946 who would secure its future, John Barriger.

Barriger insisted on upgrading the entire railroad from its locomotive and freight car fleet to its right-of-way, making the Monon a first-rate operation. Where he could, track was straightened and grades reduced. Barriger also quickly understood the efficiencies of diesel locomotives and he had the entire railroad dieselized before 1950! These tactics quickly helped to improve the railroads fortune and it would remain in the black for the rest of its life. During this time the Monon also introduced two new liveries. The first to debut was a red and gray scheme with white trim and the other a gold and black scheme with white lettering. What’s most interesting about these liveries is that they are inspired from Indiana colleges and universities the railroad ran near. The red and gray was that of Wabash College and the black and gold of both Purdue Univeristy and DePauw University.

Throughout the 1960s and early 1970s the Monon Route remained a top-rate railroad, albeit always a David surrounded by Goliaths. It was during this time that due to mergers beginning to sweep the industry the Monon went looking for a partner. Its first choice was turned down with the Southern Railway but in 1971 its other former owner, the Louisville & Nashville accepted its offer and merged the Monon into its system that summer. While the Monon remained mostly obscure for its life it is well remembered and beloved in the communities it served, which continues on today in the historical society dedicated to preserving its memory.

Today, most of Indiana’s rails are operated by four Class Is; CSX, Norfolk Southern, Canadian National, and Canadian Pacific. The rest is operated by shortlines and Regionals which include the Indiana Rail Road; Indiana & Ohio;Chicago Fort Wayne & Eastern Railroad; Elkhart & Western Railroad; Evansville Western Railway; Indiana Northeastern Railroad; Indiana Southern Railroad; Lake Michigan and Indiana Railroad; Louisville & Indiana Railroad; Louisville New Albany & Corydon Railroad, and the Respondek Railroad.

For a more in-depth look at Indiana’s rail mileage throughout the years please refer to the chart below.

The Hoosier State’s passenger trains are operated by Amtrak and include its tri-weekly Cardinal between Chicago and Washington, D.C. However, during the "Golden Years" several famous Eastern passenger trains passed through the state with important stops at Indianapolis. Some of these trains include the Baltimore & Ohio’s Capitol Limited and National Limited, PRR’s Broadway Limited, C&O’s George Washington, and New York Central’s 20th Century Limited.

Aside from Amtrak’s Cardinal, the historic interurban, the South Shore Line still serves Hammond and South Bend (which also connects with Chicago). Even today, you can catch South Shore trains operating on street trackage, like in Michigan City!

Indiana railroading is also home to a number of railroad museums and tourist lines such as the Indiana Railway Museum, Indiana Transportation Museum, Carthage, Knightstown & Shirley Railroad, Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society (home to operating Nickel Plate Road Berkshire #765), Hesston Steam Museum, Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum, Jefferson County Historical Society Museum and Railroad Depot, Linden Railroad Museum, National New York Central Railroad Museum, Wabash Valley Railroaders Museum, Whitewater Valley Railroad.

In all, Indiana offers a wide variety of railroading from street running and interurbans to main line freight trains and Amtrak’s Cardinal. Even if you are a vacationer looking for something interesting to do the state offers a wide variety of railroad museums to choose from and visit. In the end, you certainly should not be disappointed if you are heading to Indiana looking to catch railroads in action!