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Indiana & Ohio Railway: Operating Over 500 Miles

Last revised: September 2, 2024

By: Adam Burns

The Indiana & Ohio Railway (reporting marks, IORY) is a short line based out of Cincinnati, Ohio that currently operates some 543 miles of track (Indiana - 10 miles, Michigan - 21 miles, and Ohio - 512 miles) making it one of Genesee & Wyoming's largest such properties. 

The heritage of the company can be traced back to 1978 when the "Indiana & Ohio Railroad" acquired a segment of the former Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railway ("Big Four," a component of the New York Central) between Valley Junction, Ohio and Brookville, Indiana. 

However, the modern I&O began in 1985 when the railroad acquired a former Conrail branch between Mason and Monroe, Ohio. 

Today, both of this lines remain part of the I&O system.  Throughout the 1980s the railroad continued to grow picking up unwanted lines from large Class Is such as Conrail and the Chessie System, and even former Detroit, Toledo & Ironton trackage.

The DT&I makes up the largest component of the I&O running from Washington Courthouse, Ohio to Diann, Michigan where a connection is established with the Ann Arbor Railroad. 

Today, the railroad is part of the Genesee & Wyoming family of short lines and features a rather diverse traffic base that should allow it to remain successful throughout the foreseeable future (in many ways the railroad is nearly a Class II, regional).

Photos

Indiana & Ohio GP30 #83 (built as Kansas City Southern #106 in May, 1962) was photographed here in Lima, Ohio during July of 1997. Author's collection.

History

During  the 1980s and 1990s the then privately-owned Indiana & Ohio Railway continued to grow as it took over unwanted lines from Conrail and Chessie System. 

The I&O took off in 1985 when the new company picked up 11.8 miles of the former Pennsylvania's Middletown Branch between Middletown and Hageman.  Also included was 3.2 miles between Hageman and Monroe, once part of the old PRR Cincinnati-Dayton route. 

A year later it picked up another former Conrail segment between Blue Ash and Cincinnati.  This had been another former PRR line that ran between Cincinnati-Richmond, Indiana. 

By this point the I&O had interchange points along the Chessie System (now CSX) and Conrail (now Norfolk Southern).

Then, in the late 1980's the newly formed CSX Transportation (1987) was continuing to let go of the Baltimore & Ohio's former St. Louis main line (Baltimore - St. Louis), a process launched under Chessie System in 1985. 

As a result, the I&O picked up the entire section between Cincinnati and Greenfield, Ohio. 

It also acquired the B&O's former Columbus Branch between Midland City and Columbus, part of the railroad's old Newark Division (which once liked Pittsburgh with Cincinnati, via Wheeling and Columbus).

Around the same time in late 1987 the I&O picked up the C&O's former line between Logan and Columbus giving it a system stretching well over 100 miles in length. 

System Map

A present-day system map of the Indiana & Ohio Railway. Author's work.

It continued to grow in the 1990s; first acquiring the former Detroit, Toledo & Ironton main line between Washington Court House and Springfield, adding another 50 miles to it system.

In 1994 it gained control of more former Conrail trackage, this time two branches around Springfield reaching Mechanicsburg and Bellefontaine, which added another 40 miles. 

A year later the I&O took over the rest of Conrail's remaining branch line trackage in and around Cincinnati. However, things changed in 1996.

That year the Indiana & Ohio Railway's owners elected to sell the company to another operator, in this case RailTex, Inc. which was, at the time, one of the larger short line conglomerates. 

Indiana & Ohio GP40 #6763 and former Burlington Northern GP50 #3101 head over to pick up their train at the Grand Trunk Western yard in Flat Rock, Michigan on the evening of July 24, 1998. Doug Kroll photo.

Under RailTex the railroad continued to prosper and nearly doubled its system.  The Genesee & Wyoming of its day, RailTex was founded by Bruce Flohr who launched his first short line in 1984 with the small San Diego & Imperial Valley Railroad on March 8, 1984 (still in service under Genesee & Wyoming).

Flohrs employed three strategies to increase business; aggressive marketing away from the primary rail line, acquiring non-union railroads, and purchasing second-hand locomotives. 

The idea worked and he eventually amassed a network of 26 railroads that totaled more than 4,100 route miles. In early 1997 after a long negotiation with the Canadian National the I&O was able to purchase nearly the rest of the DT&I's main line between Springfield, Ohio and Detroit, Michigan.

Then, just a year later, it acquired two small short lines, the Central Railroad of Indianapolis and Central Railroad of Indiana.

In early 2000 RailTex was acquired by RailAmerica, Inc. and thus the Indiana and Ohio Railway had a new owner, which also acquired its two subsidiaries. 

RailAmerica has its own story, the product of two entrepreneurial brothers who founded the company in 1985. 

According to the article, "The Triumph Of Train NC-2" by author Fred Frailey in the featured in Trains Magazine's June, 2010 issue, their company launched in 1985 when Chessie System spun-off an component of the former Pere Marquette in Michigan, which later became the Huron & Eastern Railway. 

Within a decade they had amassed some 75 short lines and went public in 1992.  In February, 2007 RA was sold to Fortress Investment for $1.1 billion, which resold the company to Genesee & Wyoming in February, 2012.  At the time, RA was the largest short line holding company in the nation.

Locomotive Roster

Road Number Model Type Builder Year Built Notes
20"LS-750"Lima-Hamilton11/1949Built as Cincinnati Union Terminal #21. Unit suffered mechanical failure on the I&O's first day of service. Scrapped in late 2000's after cannibalized for parts.
51GP7EMD9/1951Built as CB&Q #223; became Burlington Northern #1579. Sold by I&O to Orange Port Terminal Railway. Scrapped.
52GP7EMD10/1953Built as B&O #743. Transferred to Goderich-Exeter Railway in early 2000's.
53GP7EMD9/1953Built as B&O #723. Sold to National Railway Equipment.
54GP7EMD9/1953Built as B&O #726. Sold to National Railway Equipment.
55GP7EMD6/1950Built as C&O #5704. Sold to Lebanon, Mason & Monroe Railroad.
56GP7EMD6/1950Built as C&O #5705. Acquired by the South Shore Line, circa 1978. Sold to Lebanon, Mason & Monroe Railroad.
61GP9EMD6/1956Built as C&O #6067. Sold to Rail Switching Service (RSSX).
62GP9EMD3/1956Built as C&O #6018. Sold to Cape Breton & Central Nova Scotia Railway.
63GP9EMD11/1956Built as C&O #6018. Sold to Cape Breton & Central Nova Scotia Railway.
65/482GP9EMD5/1957Built as Nickel Plate Road #482; became N&W #2482. Sold.
71GP18EMD8/1960Built as Seaboard Air Line #404. Became Seaboard Coast Line #1060, then Seaboard System #1060. Sold to BioFuel Energy Corp.
81GP30EMD6/1962Built as N&W #532. Scrapped in the mid-2000s.
82GP30EMD6/1962Built as N&W #537. Scrapped in the mid-2000s.
83GP30EMD5/1962Built as Kansas City Southern #106. Scrapped in the mid-2000s.
84GP30EMD7/1963Built as Kansas City Southern #113. Sold to Indiana Southern.
85GP30EMD11/1962Built as Nickel Plate Road #901. Sold to the Cincinnati Railway.
86GP30MEMD9/1963Built as C&O GP30 #3033. Rebuilt by CSX as GP30M #4224. Sold.
87GP30MEMD10/1963Built as C&O GP30 #3046. Rebuilt by CSX as GP30M #4233. Sold.
91DS-4-4-1000Baldwin11/1948Built as Western Railway of Alabama #630; became Seaboard Coast Line #91. Scrapped.
92S12MBaldwin9/1951Built as Patapsco & Back Rivers Railroad #345. Rebuilt as S12M. Scrapped.
251GP35EMD3/1964Built as N&W #224. Sold to Indiana Southern.
252GP35EMD4/1964Built as N&W #232. Sold to Indiana Southern. Scrapped.
252GP35EMD4/1964Built as N&W #232. Sold to Indiana Southern. Scrapped.
1354GP40EMD5/1966Built as N&W #1354, became NS #1354. Worked on both Central Oregon & Pacific and Missouri & North Arkansas. Transferred.
1500SW1500EMD3/1972Built as Penn Central #9555. Became Conrail #9555. Sold to GATX Rail Locomotive Group.
1501SW1500EMD10/1973Built as Penn Central #9582. Became Conrail #9582. Sold to GATX Rail Locomotive Group.
2001RP20BDRailPower2007Built as Grand Trunk Western GP9 #1776 in 6/1956; renumbered as #4450. Spent time on Central Vermont. Sold to St. Lawrence & Atlantic before acquisition by RailPower and rebuilt into model RP20BD. Lettered for Central Railroad of Indiana (CIND).
2002RP20BDRailPower-Lettered for Central Railroad of Indiana (CIND).
2058GP20EMD6/1960Built as Santa Fe #1114 then became #3114 and #3014. Later worked on Toledo, Peoria & Western as #2009/#2058. Sold.
2100GP38-2EMD11/1979Built as Chicago & North Western #4617. Acquired by National Railway Equipment then became Chicago, Fort Wayne & Eastern #3884 before transfer to I&O.
2101GP38-2EMD12/1979Built as Chicago & North Western #4623. Acquired by National Railway Equipment then became Chicago, Fort Wayne & Eastern #3887 before transfer to I&O.
2102GP38-2EMD12/1979Built as Chicago & North Western #4624. Acquired by National Railway Equipment then became Chicago, Fort Wayne & Eastern #3888 before transfer to I&O.
2103GP38-2EMD12/1979Built as Chicago & North Western #4625. Acquired by National Railway Equipment then became Chicago, Fort Wayne & Eastern #3889 before transfer to I&O.
2342SW1500EMD3/1970Built as Southern #2342 and became NS #2342. Acquired by Pittsburgh Industrial as #2342. Sold.
2720GP38-3EMD6/1969Built as Southern GP38 #2720, became NS #2720. Acquired by the Cape Breton & Central Nova Scotia Railway as #3800 and rebuilt by Dallas, Garland & Northeastern a GP38-3. Sold to Locomotive Leasing Partners.
3027GP38ACEMD2/1969Built as L&N #4027; became Seaboard System #6248/#4023 then CSX #2157. Acquired by Kyle Railroad as #5127. Transferred to Central Oregon & Pacific.
3043GP40-2EMD2/1969Built as Baltimore & Ohio #3700.
3221SD40-2EMD5/1974Built as Milwaukee Road #198. Became Soo Line #6362 then Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern #6362.
3222SD40-2EMD12/1973Built as Chicago & North Western #6815; became Union Pacific #2964 then Larry's Truck & Electric #2964.
3223SD40-2EMD5/1974Built as Milwaukee Road #205. Became Soo Line #6366 then Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern #6366.
3472SD40-2EMD8/1978Built as Missouri Pacific #3223; became Union Pacific #4223/B4223. Spent time on Ohio Central as #4028.
3488SD40-2EMD12/1977Built as Burlington Northern #7014; became BNSF #7014.
3489SD40-2EMD7/1978Built as Colorado & Southern (Burlington Northern) #7843; became BNSF #7843.
3491SD40-2EMD9/1979Built as Burlington Northern #7180; became BNSF #7180.
3492SD40-2EMD7/1978Built as Colorado & Southern (Burlington Northern) #7842; became BNSF #7842.
3493SD40-2EMD10/1978Built as Colorado & Southern (Burlington Northern) #7860; became BNSF #7860.
3494SD40-2GMDD4/1973Built as Quebec North Shore & Labrador Railway #260.
3527GP38-2EMD--
3801GP38-3EMD9/1969Built as Southern GP38 #2741, became NS #2741. Rebuilt as GP38-3. Transferred to other G&W properties.
3803GP38-3EMD1/1970Built as Southern GP38 #2788, became NS #2788. Rebuilt as GP38-3. Sold to CIT Group/Capital Finance, Inc.
3804GP38-3EMD9/1970Built as C&O GP38 #4828. Became CSX #2128. Rebuilt as Central Oregon & Pacific GP38-3 #3804. Sold to CIT Group/Capital Finance, Inc.
3807GP38-3EMD5/1970Built as Western Railway of Alabama GP40 #705. Became Seaboard System #6796 then CSX #6796. Rebuilt as GP38-3. Sold to CIT Group/Capital Finance, Inc.
3808GP38-3EMD10/1969Built as Southern GP38 #2718, became NS #2718. Rebuilt as GP38-3. Sold to CIT Group/Capital Finance, Inc.
3809GP38-3EMD10/1969Built as Southern GP38 #2719, became NS #2719. Rebuilt as GP38-3. Sold to CIT Group/Capital Finance, Inc.
3810GP38-3EMD10/1969Built as Southern GP38 #2723, became NS #2723. Rebuilt as GP38-3. Became Central Oregon & Pacific #3810. Sold to CIT Group/Capital Finance, Inc.
3811GP38-3EMD10/1969Built as Southern GP38 #2726, became NS #2726. Became Central Oregon & Pacific #3811. Rebuilt as GP38-3. Sold to CIT Group/Capital Finance, Inc.
3812GP38-3EMD6/1969Built as Southern GP38 #2739, became NS #2739. Spent time on New England Central and Georgia Southwesern. Rebuilt as GP38-3. Sold to CIT Group/Capital Finance, Inc.
3838GP38ACEMD5/1971Built as L&N #4023; became Seaboard System #6241 then CSX #2173. Transferred to Central Oregon & Pacific.
3864GP38-3EMD3/1966Built as Milwaukee Road #191, then #2000. Became Soo Line #2000. Rebuilt as Central Oregon & Pacific GP38-3 #3864. Sold to CIT Group/Capital Finance, Inc.
4008GP40EMD8/1968Built as Missouri-Kansas-Texas #199, became Union Pacific #505. Sold to CIT Group/Capital Finance, Inc.
4011GP40EMD8/1968Built as Missouri-Kansas-Texas #209, became Union Pacific #515. Transferred to Toledo, Peoria & Western.
4028GP40EMD11/1967Built as Seaboard Air Line #635, became Seaboard Coast Line #1552, Seaboard System #6705, and CSX #6705. Spent time with Helm Leasing. Sold.
4030GP40EMD2/1969Built as B&O #3700. Previously numbered as I&O #3043. Sold.
4031GP40EMD9/1971Built as B&O #4028. Became CSX #6603. Sold to the Kiamichi Railroad as #4031.
4032GP40EMD1/1967Built as Seaboard Air Line #638, became Seaboard Coast Line #1555, Seaboard System #6708, and CSX #6708. Spent time with Helm Leasing. Sold.
4033GP40EMD1/1970Built as Seaboard Coast Line #1587. Became Seaboard System #6742 then CSX #6742. Sold to Kyle Railroad.
4034GP40EMD5/1970Built as Seaboard Coast Line #1600. Became Seaboard System #6755 then CSX #6755. Transferred to Chicago, Fort Wayne & Eastern.
4035GP40EMD5/1970Built as Seaboard Coast Line #1609. Became Seaboard System #6763 then CSX #6763. Sold to Kyle Railroad.
4036GP40EMD2/1969Built as Western Railway of Alabama #704. Became Seaboard System #6793 then CSX #6793. Sold to Metra, rebuilt as GP23ECO #10.
4050GP40EMD1/1970Built as Seaboard Coast Line #1585. Became Seaboard System #6740 then CSX #6740. Transferred to Kiamichi Railroad.
4070SD40T-2EMD12/1978Built as Southern Pacific #8529.
4071SD40T-2EMD2/1979Built as Southern Pacific #8567; became Union Pacific #8848.
4072SD40T-2EMD1/1979Built as Southern Pacific #8534; became Union Pacific #8751.
4082SD40-2GMDD2/1974Built as Canadian Pacific #5820.
4083SD40-2GMDD1/1975Built as Canadian Pacific #5694.
4084SD40-2GMDD10/1977Built as Canadian Pacific #5838. Sold to Respondek Railroad Corporation.
4085SD40-2GMDD10/1977Built as Canadian Pacific #5837. Sold.
5000GP50EMD12/1980Built as Burlington Northern #3100, then BNSF #3100. Transferred to Cape Breton & Central Nova Scotia Railway.
5001/5011GP50EMD12/1980Built as Burlington Northern #3101, then BNSF #3101. Transferred to Cape Breton & Central Nova Scotia Railway.
5002/5012GP50EMD12/1980Built as Burlington Northern #3102, then BNSF #3102. Transferred to Cape Breton & Central Nova Scotia Railway.
5003/5013GP50EMD12/1980Built as Burlington Northern #3103, then BNSF #3103. Transferred to Cape Breton & Central Nova Scotia Railway.
5004/5014GP50EMD12/1980Built as Burlington Northern #3104, then BNSF #3104. Transferred to Cape Breton & Central Nova Scotia Railway.
5005/5015GP50EMD12/1980Built as Burlington Northern #3105, then BNSF #3105. Transferred to Cape Breton & Central Nova Scotia Railway.
5006GP50EMD12/1980Built as Burlington Northern #3106, then BNSF #3106. Transferred to Cape Breton & Central Nova Scotia Railway.
5007GP50EMD12/1980Built as Burlington Northern #3107, then BNSF #3107. Transferred to Cape Breton & Central Nova Scotia Railway.
5008/5018GP50EMD12/1980Built as Burlington Northern #3108, then BNSF #3108. Transferred to Cape Breton & Central Nova Scotia Railway.
5009/5019GP50EMD12/1980Built as Burlington Northern #3109, then BNSF #3109. Transferred to Cape Breton & Central Nova Scotia Railway.
5016SD50EMD5/1982Built as Hammersley Iron #6063.
5017SD50EMD3/1983Built as Hammersley Iron #6064.
9400SD45T-2EMD6/1975St. Louis Southwestern (SP) #9400.
Indiana & Ohio GP40 #6793 rests between assignments at Lima on July 25, 1998. This Geep started out as Western Railway of Alabama #704 in 1969. Doug Kroll photo.

Today

Today, its system contains 543 miles and a diversified traffic base of chemicals, metals, grain, ethanol, lumber, plastics, and other freight.   

Currently, the railroad has interchanges with numerous other lines including CSX, Norfolk Southern, Canadian National, Ann Arbor, and RJ Corman.  

The Indiana and Ohio Railway is also now large enough to be split into several subdivisions including the Blue Ash Subdivision, Brookville Subdivision, CIND Subdivision, Mason Subdivision, Midland Subdivision, and Oasis Subdivision.

The I&O has a vast array of four and six-axle motive power, although all are strictly EMDs (interestingly some units come from the very fallen flag companies which owned the branches the I&O now operates).  Due to its size the railroad's future appears strong as it serves a significant portion of western Ohio.  

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    Norfolk Southern has officially introduced ES44AC No. 8184, the third locomotive in its new “Landmark Series,” a program that spotlights the historic rail cities and communities that helped shape both…

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  35. WMSR's Georges Creek Division: Reviving A Long-Dormant Line

    Feb 18, 26 09:34 AM

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    In 2024 the WMSR announced it was rebuilding part of the old WM. The Georges Creek Division will provide both heritage passenger service and future freight potential in a region once defined by coal…

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  36. Chesapeake & Ohio 614 Restoration Pushes Forward

    Feb 18, 26 09:32 AM

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    One of the most recognizable mainline steam locomotives to survive the post–steam era, C&O 614, is steadily moving through an intensive return-to-service overhaul.

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  37. Montana Dinner Train Rides Near Lewistown

    Feb 18, 26 09:30 AM

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    The Charlie Russell Chew Choo turns an ordinary rail trip into an evening event: scenery, storytelling, live entertainment, and a hearty dinner served as the train rumbles across trestles and into a t…

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  38. Wisconsin Dinner Train Rides In North Freedom

    Feb 18, 26 09:18 AM

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    Featured here is a practical guide to Mid-Continent’s dining train concept—what the experience is like, the kinds of menus the museum has offered, and what to expect when you book.

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  39. Pennsylvania Murder Mystery Dinner Train Rides

    Feb 18, 26 09:09 AM

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    Pennsylvania, steeped in history and industrial heritage, offers a prime setting for a unique blend of dining and drama: the murder mystery dinner train ride.

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  40. New Jersey Murder Mystery Dinner Train Rides

    Feb 18, 26 09:06 AM

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    There are currently no murder mystery dinner trains available in New Jersey although until 2023 the Cape May Seashore Lines offered this event. Perhaps they will again soon!

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  41. Huckleberry Railroad: Riding Narrow-Gauge Steam In Michigan!

    Feb 18, 26 09:03 AM

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    The Huckleberry Railroad is a tourist attraction that is part of the Crossroads Village & Huckleberry Railroad Park located in Flint, Michigan featuring several operating steam locomotives.

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  42. New York & Lake Erie Unveils M636 No. 636 In New Colors (2025)

    Feb 17, 26 02:05 PM

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    In mid-May 2025, railfans along the former Erie rails in Western New York were treated to a sight that feels increasingly rare in North American railroading: a big M636 in new paint.

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  43. First Siemens “Northlander” Trainset Arrives In Ontario

    Feb 17, 26 11:46 AM

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    Ontario’s long-awaited return of the Northlander passenger train took a major step forward this winter with the arrival of the first brand-new Siemens-built trainset in the province.

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  44. Sound Transit Set to Launch Cross-Lake Service

    Feb 17, 26 10:09 AM

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    For the first time in the region’s modern transit era, Sound Transit light rail trains will soon carry passengers directly across Lake Washington

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  45. Michigan’s Old Road Dinner Train Still Seeks New Home

    Feb 17, 26 10:04 AM

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    In May, 2025 it was announced that Michigan's Old Road Dinner Train was seeking a new home to continue operations. As of this writing that search continues.

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  46. WMSR Acquires Conemaugh & Black Lick SW7 No. 111

    Feb 17, 26 10:00 AM

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    In a notable late-summer preservation move, the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad (WMSR) announced in August 2025 that it had acquired former Conemaugh & Black Lick Railroad (C&BL) EMD SW7 No. 111.

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  47. MBTA Unveils New Haven-Inspired Locomotive

    Feb 17, 26 09:58 AM

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    he Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority has pulled back the curtain on its newest heritage locomotive, F40PH-3C No. 1071, wearing a bold, New Haven–inspired paint scheme that pays tribute to the…

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  48. Missouri Dinner Train Rides In Branson

    Feb 17, 26 09:53 AM

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    Nestled in the heart of the Ozarks, the Branson Scenic Railway offers one of the most distinctive rail experiences in the Midwest—pairing classic passenger railroading with sweeping mountain scenery a…

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  49. Texas Murder Mystery Dinner Train Rides

    Feb 17, 26 09:49 AM

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    Here’s a comprehensive look into the world of murder mystery dinner trains in Texas.

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  50. Connecticut Murder Mystery Dinner Train Rides

    Feb 17, 26 09:48 AM

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    All aboard the intrigue express! One location in Connecticut typically offers a unique and thrilling experience for both locals and visitors alike, murder mystery trains.

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