I'm researching the former Wabash line between Toledo and Ft. Wayne. This was the original main line into Toledo before the line from Montpelier thru Delta was built. Specifically, I'm looking for a listing of online industries, listing of passenger services, and some of the motive power typically used on the line. The era I'm shooting for is the early 1960's, just before the Norfolk & Western takeover. I do live along the line now, so I do have a good idea on track arangments and industries, I just need to know what businesses operated back then. Any help that could be provided would be much appreciated. ------------------ Brian Schmidt railohio@hotmail.com ICQ #21630753 AIM - railohio
Hi Brian, sounds like an interesting project. Give me awhile and I'll check my resources to see if I can provide any information for you. Bill ------------------ "Follow the Flag"
Brian, sorry I couldn't find any specific businesses. Did find a couple of generic items; furniture, sorghum, poultry feed and the like. For information this specific, I would try some local libraries. Check out the Polk's Directories for the communities and years you are interested in. Another item, but I have not seen one for a long time, is an "Industry List". Most railroads published and distributed them to customers. One of them may also be available at a local library. Also a visit to your county tax office, and a surveyors office may be helpful for older records. Good luck with your project. Bill ------------------ "Follow the Flag"
There was a picture in one issue of "Classic Trains" (can't remember which issue but there have only been three so far so it won't be too difficult to find) of a Wabash freight somewhere in the general area you are describing (but I don't know if it was on the actual line in question) in 1962 with a Fairbanks Morse Trainmaster in a delightful blue livery leading the train. If you can't track the picture down let me know and I will check issue no and let you have full details of the picture caption. Ben
Thank you Ben for your info and offer. I hope Brian checks back in for the info. Also thanks for the heads-up about the pic of D&H on Ararat Summit. (one of my all time favorite divisions...so much history!). I sincerely appreciate your offer of help. Bill ------------------ "Follow the Flag" Hell, I'll drink to that!
Dear Brian and wabash_one - the photograph in question is in Kalmbach's Classic Trains Summer 2000 issue on pages 70 and 71, in colour. The caption reads: "Wabash's "west local" from Decatur, Ill., to Hannibal, Mo., with Train Master 554 and GP7 475 in charge, is slowing to do some work in Jacksonville, Ill., on July 9, 1962, and the crew is ready to hail the operator in JA tower, guarding diamond crossings of Gulf, Mobile and Ohio and Burlington Route." I realize now that this is not the line that you, Brian, are researching but nonetheless the picture is wonderfully evocative of the early 60s and shows the very attractive two tone blue livery applied not only to the locomotives but also to a gangers' trackside hut! Ben
Ben, if it would be possible, could you scan the Ararat Summit pics and email them to me at: billrys@netsync.net ? Thanks, Bill ------------------ "Follow the Flag" Heck, I'll drink to that!
Bill, I'm sorry but we don't have a scanner. However, we have just got a webcam so as soon as my son shows me how, I will post a picture of the page in the magazine with those Ararat summit pics; obviously the quality will not be very good but it will be better than nothing. Actually while typing this I have realised that I can just send you a straight e-mail with the webcam shot attached so I will do this very soon. Ben [This message has been edited by Ben (edited 06 November 2000).]
Brian S: I have discovered another reference to the Wabash, with a photograph, in Trains Classic (which was the one off precursor, in early 1999, to what became the current magazine Classic Trains), of a mainline wayfreight unloading oversize cans onto a small lorry at a grade crossing at Rich Valley (between Peru and Wabash, 48 miles west of Fort Wayne on the Detroit-Decatur main). The lorry belongs to the Rich Valley (Ind.) Elevator Co., the car being unloaded is a single-sheathed, outside-braced boxcar (next to a PFE reefer) and the train is said to have been powered by 2-8-2 2404. Ben
Ben, the video was awesome. Thanks so very much! I sent you an email,hope you got it. If I can ever reciprocate in any way, please let me know. Thanks again, Bill ------------------ "Follow the Flag" Heck, I'll drink to that!
