Hello all; I need some assistance with finding pictures of the C&O in Indiana. I am currently working on the former Pere Marquette Line from New Buffalo Michigan to LaCrosse Indiana. Any help would be great on this project. Pictures from the line from 1950-1960 would be ideal. I am already a part of the C&OHS as of last week. They have been helpful so far. However, extensive research has been offered if I visit them in Clifton Forge, VA. I don’t have the resources or time to go there at this time. So I’m reaching out to anyone who may have information for me. Thanks in advance for any help. “jim”
I can’t help with your question,but here is the link to
Indiana’s best railfanand model railroad forum http://www.indianarailroads.org/board/ . I live on the east side of the state,can’t help with the PM. joe
You may want to try a google search for the towns along the line and also the name of the industries, some may have historical photos online. Also, not sure where you are located, but if you can travel to the towns and check out their libraries or town/county historical societies., it may be of help too.
This site may help with industries, just download the one for Indiana.
http://www.opsig.org/industrydb/
Rick
Get the book Chesapeake and Ohio in Color Volume 3 it has photos of Peru, Hoover, North Judson, English Lake, Lacrosse, Griffith and Hammond Indiana in it. Volume 2 is ALL Michigan.
The C&OHS sells this book in the chessie shop
Happy modeling!
Hi Jim, I was searching the web on New Buffalo Yard when i seen your post. I was a kid living in New Buffalo adjacent to the yard in the 60’s. I know exactly of the line you speak of shooting south out of the west end of the yard. They used this line several times a week in the 60’s hauling all sort of freight including auto carriers back then. This line went by and serviced the sprawling Allis Chalmers Tractor Plant in Laporte In. It had a interchange with the NYC/PC/Conrail mainline at Laporte also. I seen many of flatcars loaded with tractors from this line in the day. The line had a large bridge crossing US Highway 20 which sometimes had trains sitting there waiting to enter New Buffalo Yard. Back in the mid 60’s i was mowing the lawn with my uncle and heard what sounded like thunder. We seen many a C&O truck go by the house soon thereafter. A eastbound train had hit the lacrosse switch lined against it and had derailed. Engines and cars were laying around and it ripped up the tracks for a 1000’ or so. We watched them that evening bring in a large wrecking crane from Grand Rapids and get the repairs underway. You must know back prior to 1982 all C&O Detroit/Chicago Traffic went via the C&O/Ex PM Michigan Line. This was a Very Busy Single Track Line with trains waiting on passing sidings, trains uncoupling at crossings for car traffic etc. The New Buffalo Yard was a 24/7 Preblocking for Grand Rapids flat yard where i fell asleep listening to cars coupling and refrigerator cars humming. This changed around 1982 when chessie decided to run most chicago traffic and detroit traffic south over the dual track B&O line then North from Toledo to Detroit. One last note, I seen a Western Maryland Loco on the last days of the Lacrosse Line pulling a small train into the New Buffalo Yard at the Sand Road Crossing. This was my first time ever seeing a old paint worn Western Maryland Loco ever in this area. Hope this helps. Dave
Jim…
I grew up in that area and Im also a big C&O -----> Chessie Fan. In New Buffalo The old roundhouse is still there in the area and has since been converted to a “Golds Gym”. Neatest gym I have ever worked out in. Also the main line still has an old coaling tower across it. (Well ten years ago it was still there.) If I were you I would extend my modeling another 25 miles north and you can include the old single track swing bridge that crosses the Saint Joseph River.
Found these pictures… not much but they give you an idea.
http://user.mc.net/~louisvw/depot/new-buf/new-buf.htm
Good Luck
The Hoosier Valley Railroad Museum is in North Judson, IN, based on a chunk of the C&O. Their website has some C&O content about the area, and their volunteers may be able to help with more leads.