B&O Shops in Washington Indiana

[Anonymous]

Anyone out there have info about the old roundhouse and B&O shops in Washington, IN (southwest Indiana). This Civil War-era $1 billion facility is all but gone. A major fire (evidently started by lightning) wiped out one of the last remaining wooden repair buildings a few days ago. The city (which is a small small with a population of 10,000) is trying to save the two remaining buildings, which remain in good condition, complete with early 20th century repair equipment and furnishings. If something isn't done soon, they will all vanish.

Anyone with old photos or similar (including experiences in Washington), please e-mail me at [e-mail] or call 317-805-4870.

Thanks!

[nanaimo73]

The 6 foot gauge Ohio and Mississippi completed their line from Cincinnati to East St. Louis on April 15, 1857. It was converted to standard gauge during July 1871. The Baltimore and Ohio acquired the stock of the O&M July 13, 1899.
The railroad called this location Shops and in the 1960s freight crews would change here, not at the passenger station of Washington to the east.
The shops at Shops with the 35 stall roundhouse opened in 1888.
Here is a photograph from 1998
http://terraserver.microsoft.com/image.aspx?T=1&S=11&Z=16&X=1207&Y=10696&W

[BaltACD]

Lived and worked out of Washington in the late 60's.....the Terraserver image of Shops is a far cry from the active yard and shop area that existed then.

[CShaveRR]

B&O sold the shops to Evans Railcar Manufacturing. A lot of covered hoppers were built there in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

[WacoWilliams]

Did you work with a Lawrence "Waco" Williams?