As a boy in a rural Southern Illinois, the local IC branchline provided daily entertainment. The line ran from Mattoon, Il to Evansville, In and during the 1960's provided two trains daily (one each way) with only one per day on Saturday and Sunday. The trains handled local work in addition to substancial interchange to and from L&N at Evansville.
During the spring, summer, and fall the local would drop off cars of limestone at a team track siding for a couple of farm supply operators. Over the years, the trains became an attraction as it switched and I was able to watch the switching and talk to the crews. I became quite knowledgeable of the line and the operations.
Often during the fall months, one of the locals would run at night, no doubt due to increased grain handling. If sleeping, I would awaken, look out my window and note the passage of the train, then return to sleep.
One night I was awaken by the horn of a northbound train. Looking out my window, I noted the passage of an unusual train. Even in the darkness, it was obvious this was a passenger train. The passenger car windows provided a strange sight, blinds closed, but illuminating an outline of light. The outline of the low slung passenger cars were an unusal contrast to the usual boxcars, hoppers, and tank cars. What did I see?
The next morning my father listened, but was skeptical. Certainly you must have been dreaming and mom concurred. Neither was awakened during the night.
It wasnt a dream. The vision of that train always intrigued me. Earlier this decade I joined a web group which was devoted to the history of the now abandoned PD&E (Peoria, Danville, and Evansville) line. A busy month might yield 10 postings. However, the group had a number of resources and members who were knowledgeable of the line and the operations. Perhaps someone would know of the mystery train.
The answer was quickly posted. The Illinois Central in 1968 operated a troop train from Evansville, Indiana to Chicago. What I witnessed that night was the passage of hundreds of young men from their homes or perhaps their military bases en route to a probable destination of Southeast Asia. Mystery solved....it wasnt a dream.
The vision of that train intrigued me for decades, I couldnt get it out of my mind...was it real or just a dream? Knowing the answer intrigued me even more. Who were those young men and how were their lives changed by the ultimate destination of that troop train?
I have never really received official confirmation that what passed thru Dundas, Il was in fact a troop train, but the answer from the posting was enough for me.
There are some discussion groups around that are run by Viet Nam era veterans. You might post something and see what happens. My Brother in law rode a train to Clarksville, Tenn to start his basic training at nearby Fort Campbell. He was with the 101st Airbourne. I suspect his train was a regularly scheduled passenger train as L&N still had passenger service to Clarksville on their old "Memphis Line".
George
Thanks. I havent heard too much about troop trains during that era. Hopefully someone here can verify this move....or at least confirm there were such moves.
Ed
My little theater group did that play in High School.
It was titled "Ghost Train". lol.
Dave
Lackawanna Route of the Phoebe Snow
Have you ever had a dream that you were so sure it was real?
What if you were unable to wake from that dream?
How would you know the difference between the dream world and the real world?
You can evetually tell the difference.
MP173One night I was awaken by the horn of a northbound train. Looking out my window, I noted the passage of an unusual train. Even in the darkness, it was obvious this was a passenger train.
That's really strange....I'm noway familiar with the area, but from the description, I immediately thought of a "troop train"....I don't know why. Yes, I've ridden on them, but that shouldn't make any difference.
My era of riding them: Early 50's.
Quentin
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