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Wabash Railway Steam Locomotives in the 20th Century
Thanks for bringing my favorite railroad to light!
However, I would like make a comment about a statement in the text. It is NOT incorrect but needs clarified, IMO. George wrote “In 1902, Wabash opened a line that served Fort Wayne, Ind.” This is true but the Wabash (and its predecessor) had a line through Fort Wayne, Indiana since the 1850s–it’s Toledo-Kansas City mainline. In the context of his other statements, it almost reads that in 1902, the Wabash finally had a line to Fort Wayne, Indiana.
The line he refers to, opened in 1902, was the Wabash’s new line btw New Haven, Indiana (just east of Fort Wayne) and Butler, Indiana to hook up to its Butler-Detroit Extension (completed in 1881). This new construction was a consequence of the Wabash losing its lease with the Eel River Railroad btw Logansport and Butler and therefore left without a major component of its mainline btw Detroit, St. Louis, Kansas City and its other new line btw Montpelier, Ohio and Toledo. (The new Toledo Extension and the replacement for the Eel River Railroad would have been opened earlier if it was not for a fight to get across the B&O at St. Joe, Indiana.)
Again, thanks for the publicity on my favorite railroad, from my favorite railroad magazine.
Victor A. Baird
Erstwhile Publications
www.erstwhilepublications.com