Lawrenceburg IN Rail Line

[louisnash]

I hope someone can help me with this. I thought that maybe Joe from Defiance, OH can. He seems he has a great knowledge of rail lines in the areas north of the Ohio River. But any info. is very much appreciated.

Today, 10-18-03, we went to a pumpkin farm in St. Leon's IN, right off of I-74. On our way there from KY we took Route 1 north out of Lawrenceburg IN.

We have taken that route several times and I have been curious about the railroad that runs parallell to that route for several miles. Didn't have time to get out and really look around as were ready to get home.

I am thinking that it used to be just recently the Indiana & Ohio, as I have heard that it was bought within the past year. I know that the Cincinnati series in the TRAINS magazine had a little about it but I like hearing the stories from people that have in-depth info.

I was wondering if anyone could enlighten me on what the line was before the I&O. Years ago we went through there and it looked as if it was near abandonment but now seems as though they have cleaned it up rather nicely.

What is amazing that it is not welded rail for what amount of the RR I saw today. Didn't know what kind of freight they may run through there. What is the frequency of trains. I know that there is also a line that comes off this that goes to Brookville IN for local freight that used to go through Metamora and north. I have been told that particular line was NYC. So I didn't know if this was NYC also.My great uncle had been working for the Whitewater Valley Railroad until just recently. His health has kept him from doing much. That is how I know just a little about the Whitewater RR.

I am not familiar with IN railroads, just KY. I really enjoyed what I saw today. The scenery around the crossing we were at put you in the mind that we stepped back about 50 years in time.

Thanks for any responces
Brian (KY)

[JoeKoh]

Brian acording to my B&O mortgage map it looks like it was formerly Nyc territory.I have some pics for u email me please.
thanks stay safe
Joe

[mudchicken]

Joe & Brian:
CSXT is the only line in Lawrenceburg now. The CR/PC/NYC line is gone.
The line along IN Hwy 1is NYC, ex Big Four (CCC&St. Louis) and parallells the old B&O west out of Cincy almost to L'Burg, Bid Four's L'Burg Junction to Dearborn to L'Burg to Aurora, IN line is now gone. Line to Metamora, Valley Jcn. (Cleves), Brookville, Connersville et. al is also a Big Four Secondary, now with the middle between Brookville and Metamora gone. Whitewater Valley is from Metamora to the south side of Connersville. Brian's L'Burg line is B&O/ CSXT. Central Railroad of Indiana (CIND) now under RailAmerica control out of the IORY out of Cincinnati/Fairfield, has the old Big Four Indianapolis main. The IORY/CIND line had been a heavy rail double tracked main that PC & CR single tracked. PC ran off the traffic to the point CR could not get it back (Seagrams is on the line) as the Cincy-Indy traffic went to B&O and then almost dried-up. (Mudchicken's old stomping ground and where the interest in Big Four comes from). The B&O line has been reduced several times to nothing more than a big branch line only to be revived again......

Sad that both of these lines now struggle because traffic patterns changed so drastically.

Mudchicken

[louisnash]

Thank you to both Joe and Mudchicken for all your unput.
I really thank you both

Brian (KY)

[mudchicken]

Brian:

The area between Cincinnati & Indianapolis is fascinating in a historical sense (C&O,B&O,NKP,NYC,PRR, SOU,N&W) plus it's always interesting to watch due to the big boys and the shortlines being in such close proximity (sp?) to each other. You have NS, CSX, INOH/CIND, Wabash Central, Whitewater Valley, Honey Creek, Madison Hill plus all the industrial switchers clustered along the river. SE Indiana is never dull in a railroad sense even though it's not that busy anymore.

Whitewater Valley's eclectic collection is worth the visit alone (3 Lima diesels, one that runs (CUT #25), plus the other goodies that you don't see anywhere else anymore)