NKP: Indy to Mich. City

Model Railroader Prototype information for the modeler
1

I was wondering if anybody has any info on the NKP Indy to Michigan City line? I really need track diagrams and info on the loco’s and passenger cars that ran on that line in the 40’s to early 50’s. I live in Rochester,IN and don’t have a problem getting info on Peru, Argos, or Rochester. I would like track plans (I think they are called valuation maps) on the rest of the line if someone has any and is willing to share. Any and all help is greatly appreciated. I have a cd that Ray Breyer burned for me that has a lot of info but no track plans. Again, any and all info is greatly appreciated. Feel free to email me personally if you want, rdraper_3@yahoo.com. Thanks , Ray Draper

2

Why not try Google Earth and just use the satalite and arial photos to create you track plans?

3

The valuation maps you refer to were produced by the Sanborn Map Company. You need to find a library that has these Sanborn maps on file for the area you are studying.
Sanborn maps are invaluable for historical research as they show the names and locations of businesses in the communities mapped.

Old topographical maps may have some of the tracks shown for your towns, but usually not all are shown on topo maps.

4

I almost forgot about this site. Maybe it’ll help.

http://www.maptech.com/onlinemaps/index.cfm?CFID=12389666&CFTOKEN=47884763

or this;

http://mapserver.maptech.com/homepage/index.cfm?BPID=HIS0203033115%2C2%2C1%2C0&CFID=12389666&CFTOKEN=47884763

5

One other tidbit: this line was the first freight service on NKP to be dieselized, in 1953 with GP7’s.

6

1951, actually. 1953 was the year the Peoria Division was dieselized.

Ray: you’re going to have to spring the $20 plus shipping for the I-MC track charts the NKPHTS has for sale:
http://www.nkphts.org/store/catalog1.html
The 1961 LE&W district charts have the I-MC in them; I’ve got a set, but haven’t had the time to scan them yet. The 1935 charts the Society sells are from my collection and sadly don’t include the I-MC. When I head to the NKPHTS convention this September, I’ll ask around for a set of steam-era charts for the division.

There has been a lot of I-MC information passed around this week on the NKPHTS-Members Yahoo Group; I’ll compile it and email it off to you early next week. There’s lots of names, dates, and activity information in it, including caboose numbers!