Somehow MILK ended up with a line near Bedford IN in southern IN How did that happen?
To start off, it is MILW, not MILK!
Basically the Milwaukee wanted access to the Southern Indiana coal fields for cheap fuel and so took over the Chicago, Terre Haute & Southern in 1921 and the Chicago, Milwaukee and Gary in 1922. Both were heavily in debt though, which contributed to the MILW 1925 bankruptcy.
CandOforprogress2 Somehow MILK ended up with a line near Bedford IN in southern IN How did that happen?
@ http://cs.trains.com/trn/f/111/t/10939.aspx
The Trains Forum discussion of the history of the MILW line in Indiana [Latta sub(?)] Some tme back there was a gentleman named Mike Dettmers who wrote a series of essays titled "Latta Laments" Stories of his travails and triumphs as an agent on duty at Latta,In.
The Forum link also has some more linked sites. Used to be a link from the Haley Tower Museum in Yerre Haute, In. that carried a link to the "Latta Laments". Not sure how good the links are(?) but the tales are worth the investigations.
samfp1943Used to be a link from the Haley Tower Museum in Yerre Haute, In. that carried a link to the "Latta Laments". Not sure how good the links are ...
Dead. The Haley Tower Historical and Technical Society spun off the Wabash Valley Railroader's Museum, which is where the haleytower.org domain now maps. They have none of the Latta Laments linked, and they used the robots.txt flag, so the content is gone from the Wayback Machine.
... but the tales are worth the investigations.
Indeed.
Fortunately, Mike Dettmers contributed to the Yahoo heavy-haul Group, and some of the earlier Latta Laments are provided there (posted at the time they were written). Here is one example.
NOTE: Since the future of Groups is somewhat uncertain, and the content of archives may disappear just as the haleytower.org content has, here is the text of this Lament so you can get a feel for the joys. (Mike Dettmer retains all rights to the content, of course.)
For the week of October 1, 1998 The Frozen Tundra: Terre Haute to Bensenville ______________________________________ I still have a pounding headache. We're talking Excedrin number 100. So I get in the lower yesterday and I notice the chief is a health boiled lobster color. Now, if it was the day after returning from vacation I could understand it. The sun, the ocean breezes, the relaxation, all resulting in a healthy sunburn. But not so in this case. I know that boiled lobster look anywhere, and it doesn't bode well for me. So as his blood pressure crescendos into the stratosphere I know I'm in for a fun evening. So as we discuss the turnover, I cannot help but believe that I was destined for this night. You see, the entire operation down here runs under the assumption that everything will work perfectly. This means hardware, software, locomotives, cars and crews. One failure in any of these categories means imminent disaster, and failure on multiple fronts is catastrophic. So as I imbibe the north end I discover much to my dismay that 241 has lost a unit at Clinton on the CSX. This presents several problems. One, the train (10,200 tons) cannot possibly move with the one motor. Secondly, being out of my radio range, I cannot help them in any real constructive manner. Third, I now have to figure out how to rescue them. So after I park my buttocks in the chair I begin the process. I call the CSX and ask them to get in contact with the train. I can listen to this on the CSX block line. I ask the CSX dispatcher if it would be OK to run the crew light engines back to Terre Haute and pick up a unit set out by 240. The CSX dispatcher balks at this idea and instead would rather have me send a taxi for them and then run back to the train light unit. OK, I guess that will work. So I order a taxi. But wait, that would be too easy. The taxi outfit cannot get one for a while. Wonderful. Keeping in mind that through this entire ordeal so far the phone has been ringing off the hook with all kinds of questions. Down here, the crews are used to the dispatcher handling EVERYTHING. Where is the train? How much fuel does it have? Who plays on Monday Night Football next Monday? When are you moving to Latta? Do you think the Cubs can beat Atlanta? What color car should I buy? These kinds of things are not what you need when things are a little hectic. So anyway, I call the caller to tell her I will need relief for this train at some point this evening and it might be a good idea to show one on the lineup. She remarks that the planner hasn't sent her a lineup and if I could she would be grateful. Well, if I have time I will do so but I can tell already that I'm going to be a little busy tonight. So then she wants to continue discussing what will be happening tonight and it is at that point I hang up on her. Turning my attention to keeping the whole operation from grinding to a complete halt, I make a few phone calls and come to the realization that a relief crew is needed now. So I order one up. Now the original crew shows up in the tower to get the unit and I realize the relief crew comes on duty in 5 minutes. So I call the caller and see where they want to tie this crew up. Well, they have to convene a committee to discuss the matter, Meanwhile, my other phones are ringing off the hook, the INRD is hot to trot for some warrants, and I have my other trains to tend to. Finally they decide to tie the crew up in Terre Haute (as opposed to Bensenville) which makes the crew and me happy. All this time the CSX is becoming impatient, wanting the siding at Clinton cleared as soon as possible. Well, the relief crew looks over their train list and it doesn't seem kosher. A call to the service center confirms that the list is indeed all out of whack. So the clerk in Minneapolis has to reconstruct the train list, which is no small matter. This crew is now 90 minutes into the call and still not even out of Van. So when the crew finally gets a correct list and gets to the power, they are facing an onslaught of CSX trains (I think it was 7 south bounds and 3 north bounds all in about 2 hours). So they finally get out of the chute and begin moving north, when the CSX dispatcher calls to inform me they will probably need to be re-crewed again since now with this onslaught he doesn't know when he can move the train. So I call the caller to get a recrew and she informs me no more engineers until 0400! Now while I ponder that predicament, the 240 train out of Bensenville takes a 4 hour hit waiting on CSX and UP orders and is now in big trouble. The UP dispatcher calls and informs me he will need a recrew for that train. But I have no engineers! Remember, while all of this has been going on the Latta Sub has been keeping me busy as well... The Heart of the Matter: Spring Hill to Bedford _____________________________________ So as this north end has been steadily going downhill since I came in, I find out that the Cayuga train that is coming out of Beehunter has some sick CSX power. Now he has 4 units, and if even one fails he will not make Hoosier Hill with 13,000 trailing tons. So the engineer gets the train onto the main and the lead motor proceeds to overheat and shut down right on the detector. So he lets it coo down and it does restart. Good! But now the detector voices "Not Working". So I call the communications center in Minneapolis and ask them to look at the readout to see if anything is wrong with the train. He tells me the information is inconclusive, which means he can't tell. So, in accordance with timetable special instructions, I tell the train to monitor their train closely and keep on moving. OK, that little crisis solved. But now, as they climb Hoosier, they stall and the train goes into emergency. What next!? So I call on 125 to go down and rescue them. Remember, this is all going on at the same time the north end is falling apart. Behind 125 is 240 sitting patiently at Latta waiting to go south. So 125 assists 67 up Hoosier and then 125, who left the train on the main, goes to Linton and gets in the clear for 240. Now 67 goes into emergency again at Latta. The air begins coming right back up and the crew informs me that they have a kicker in their train. OK. Now I look at the clock and I see they have about 90 minutes to work. So, between fires, I ask him what he wants to do with the train. He wants to take it up to Spring Hill and deliver it. This is where I should have said no and put it away at Lewis Dock. But I didn't, and took the train to the Hill. He's doing real well until he makes a brake application as he comes into yard limits. Into emergency again! So now they have to inspect the train again, and I have no place to go with anyone since they are on the main! By the time they are done inspecting, they have 10 minutes to work, so they are dead meat. Meanwhile, the XL has been sitting patiently at Deming Park waiting to come south. Now I go to get relief for them....but wait, no engineers! So now what? Well, the planner wants to put assignment 127 on the train. So now I have to get new CSX orders for them and they have to taxi up from Latta and deliver it. Geez, what next? Well, the planner orders up an Odon Turn to deliver Gibson loads to the ISRR at Beehunter. That had eaten up the last engineer. So now he wants a Maysville Turn, but much to his dismay no engineers are available for several hours, and when one does come available we need it to get 240 on the north end. Now this is rapidly ringing the whole operation to a grinding halt. Remember my little remark about assuming everything will work just wonderfully? So now we have failures on multiple levels and on multiple fronts, which makes things really miserable. Who knows, maybe some day they'll learn... Hoosier Happiness: Bedford to Louisville _________________________________ Throughout all of the fun, the south end was probably the only bright spot. The NS was looking to get e 241 out of the chutes down there and had all the numbers and goodies ready. Now if it would all be like this... All That Horsepower and Nowhere to Go __________________________________ Van Yard Engine- Soo 4431 Farmersburg Power- CP 5504-CP 5712-CP 5709 Maysville Power- Soo 4452-Soo 2015 Kindill Power- Soo 4428-Soo 4403-Soo 4438 XL Power- CP 6016-CP 5913 Road Switcher Power- Soo 2066-Soo 4509
Samfp noted: "... but the tales [Latta Laments" ] are worth the investigations."
Overmod wrote about "Latta Laments" ..."Indeed."
"Fortunately, Mike Dettmers contributed to the Yahoo heavy-haul Group, and some of the earlier Latta Laments are provided there (posted at the time they were written). Here is one example.
NOTE: Since the future of Groups is somewhat uncertain, and the content of archives may disappear just as the haleytower.org content has, here is the text of this Lament so you can get a feel for the joys. (Mike Dettmer retains all rights to the content, of course.)"
Thank You, Overmod! I had hoped that someone here could 'birddog' the WEB whereabouts, currently, of "Latta Laments" by MIke Dettmers. I had discovered them back about 1999, or so, and thoroughly enjoyed them. As time passed they seemed to fade into obscurity.
The whole body of "Latta Laments" was reading, that was easily read, and I thought very interesting to the rail fan community. Personally, I was disappointed that the fan-publishers missed an opportunity to publish, and get them out to a wider base of enthusiasts. They were, IMHO special recounts by a working railroad employee; TRAINS has had, over time, several who have contributed their stories to the magazine.
At one point I think I remember that Mike Detmers, had continued to work for the railroad, but in a different location, after the Latta Branch was sold off,{ MILW to CPR, to ??? and his position discontinued(?) OH! Well.
Thanks, again, Overmod, for a spot of good reading on a Sunday!
Latta Laments was great reading. Sorry to hear that it has disappeared. The author provided very detailed and entertaining insite to the operations of that railroad. Quite a bit of traffic moving.
Ed
MP173 "Latta Laments" was great reading. Sorry to hear that it has disappeared. The author provided very detailed and entertaining insite to the operations of that railroad. Quite a bit of traffic moving. Ed
"Latta Laments" was great reading. Sorry to hear that it has disappeared. The author provided very detailed and entertaining insite to the operations of that railroad. Quite a bit of traffic moving.
"...CP Rail dispatcher Mike Dettmers has graciously allowed us to archive his semi-regular "Latta Laments" journal here. Latta Laments provided a great insight into the trials and tribulations of keeping the Latta Subdivision moving, as well as play-by-play and color commentary on daily events.
Each entry is typically divided into at least three sections, one for each of the three distinct sections of railroad that CP Rail trains travel on their trek between Chicago, Illinois, and Louisville, Kentucky.
The Frozen Tundra: Terre Haute to Bensenville - The combination of the Indiana Harbor Belt (IHB) and Belt Railway of Chicago (BRC) in Chicago proper, UP's Chicago Subdivision between Chicago and Wooland Jct, Illinois, and CSX's CE&D Subdivision between Woodland Jct. and CP's Spring Hill Tower on the south side of Terre Haute.
The Heart of the Matter: Spring Hill to Bedford - CP Rail's home turf, the Latta Subdivision, from Terre Haute, Indiana, to Bedford, Indiana.
Monon Misery / Hoosier Happiness: Bedford to Louisville - CSX's Hoosier Subdivision, formerly the Monon Subdivision, from Bedford, Indiana, to New Albany, Indiana. This also includes a tiny snippet of NS's St. Louis District when CP Rail trains cross the K&IT bridge over the Ohio River between New Albany and Louisville, Kentucky. CP Rail trains terminate and originate at NS's Youngtown Yard, just across the river from New Albany in Louisville..."
Note: If you follow the linked page @
http://www.haleytower.org/x/laments/index.html
One should be able to find active links to Latta Laments #1 through #33 as well as several other links.
Bear in mind the following note "The editorial content of Latta Laments is © 1999 by Mike Dettmers. Unauthorized distribution or reproduction without permission is prohibited, not to mention just plain rude.." Enjoy for your own use.
samfp1943I know that the URL for Haley Tower seemed to have quit working, but I guess the Internet god came through for me this Sunday
Here is the link, live.
Two different ways, if the gods continue to smile on this effort... Good work, Sam!
Don't miss the cool computer codes for the SD40B in #6.
If I am not mistaken at one point the Milwaukee Road had the "Louisville Slugger" baseball bat contract and I remember seeing a picture of their promotion about it but I am not sure what they hauled for the company but my guess is raw wood, aluminum and resin.....maybe? I think they also served some coal mines in Southern Indiana.
Thanks for the links.
What an interesting railroad operation in Southern Indiana. The link will provide quite a bit of behind the scenes reading.
A sidelight on the Milwaukee's Indiana line: this was one of the few US mainline railroads which never had scheduled passenger service over most of its length. There were a few locals at the south end, but never anything into the Chicago area.
I do know (and envy) two railfans who unexpectedly got to ride the line in the mid-Sixties as a result of a detour of the C&EI's Hummingbird.
looking at a Milwaukee Road Map on American Rails.com, the line went from Chicago to Terre Haute and then to Westport IN. Railroad Historian George Dury H claimed purchasing the line into Indianna was one of many wrong decisions management made.
"ATSFGuy looking at a Milwaukee Road Map on American Rails.com, the line went from Chicago to Terre Haute and then to Westport IN. Railroad Historian George Dury H claimed purchasing the line into Indianna was one of many wrong decisions management made.
If you are interested in an overview of the former MILW lines to the East of Chicago... I would suggest you [or anyone else who is interested, and might enjoy the reading] the lnks farther down this Thread..
The 'Latta Laments" of Mike Dettmers, contain many personal 'snapshots' of the daily operational grind there, from someone who was involved; on an almost daily basis. The later 'Laments' did have some of his personal photos, of points along the lines in Indiana(?).
ATSFGuy looking at a Milwaukee Road Map on American Rails.com, the line went from Chicago to Terre Haute and then to Westport IN. Railroad Historian George Dury H claimed purchasing the line into Indianna was one of many wrong decisions management made.
It was gain access to sources to quality coal for the system. Other comments with held.
I thought I read in "The Nations Pays" (?) that this line was purchased for a direct connection to the east coast and was hardly utilized.
Buslist ATSFGuy looking at a Milwaukee Road Map on American Rails.com, the line went from Chicago to Terre Haute and then to Westport IN. Railroad Historian George Dury H claimed purchasing the line into Indianna was one of many wrong decisions management made. It was gain access to sources to quality coal for the system. Other comments with held.
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