My turn..."Where is it?"

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

This tiny community in Indiana (2000 population of less than 750) once had 5 railroads. By 1943 one railroad was abandoned, leaving four. In 1947 four became three. A merger in 1971 changed the name of one of the railroads, which left town for good in 1980, leaving Wade, still standing today.

The 70’s saw a daily bird, migrating both north and south, travelling a strange route, but it found a new way.

The Standard Railroad sent passenger trains thru this town, but townfolk could only wave, never board.

Today only one railroad calls, as needed. This town which once heard trains all day, hears the whistle very infrequently.

What is this Hoosier community?

ed

2

Been there–by car and by “bird”. Actually the Bird or predecessors had a couple of paths through there; I was on both.

I’ll let somebody else have a crack at it first.

3

It sounds like the Cardinal, somewhere south of Indianapolis?

4

Carl:

I think you are on to it…so much for my career as a mystery writer.

It is north of Indy, well north.

ed

5

Carl:

I think you are on to it…so much for my career as a mystery writer.

It is north of Indy, well north.

ed

6

The small size of the town makes this challenging. But, I am going to go with La Crosse.

Gabe

7

I’m also speculating that it’s La Crosse- but Wade tower wasn’t in LaCrosse, it was at Wade Jct. which was north of La Crosse by a mile or so in the sticks. Worth tower was the interlocker at LaCrosse proper- I may be splitting hairs, but since the Monon considered Wade Jct. a seperate station, I wouldn’t want to say Wade was in La Crosse.

8

I’m pretty sure LaCrosse is what Ed’s after.

Naturally, the timetables aren’t around when I need them, but the tower (which I believe is a C&O design, similar to one somewhere in Ohio) was at the crossing of the C&O and Monon, definitely within a mile of the C&O/PM connection. Good enough for me!

I remember marveling at the superelevation of the C&O’s line curving through the town, back in the days when three railroads still went through there. While riding Amtrak between there and North Judson, I remember meeting a train on the Panhandle line.

9

You guys are correct. It is a sharp crowd outthere today!

The Chicago Attica & Southern actually terminated in Lacrosse (although the1941 OG shows it continueing on to Wellsboro, obvious trackage rights on the Pere Marquette).

The PM merged into the C&O. There was some pretty good elevation onthat track. I spent quite a bit of time in the late 70’s at Wellsboro and got to know the operator there well. That was quite a route for the Cardinal to snake thru the Wellsboro junction then run thru the cornfields to LaCrosse.

Sadly, nearly all tracks are gone now.

Wade Tower, somehow still stands. I keep wanting to hike back to it and snoop around and take pictures, but havent found the time yet. Maybe this month before it gets too cold.

Thanks for your participation and I will try to make the next one a bit tougher.

ed