Wabash Valley Route

Trains Magazine General Discussion
1

I found the captioned logo for the “Wabash Valley Route”, which I found somewhat interesting.

I realize that the swastika had many uses prior to the middle of the 20th century, so only modern day perceptions make for an unsettling interpretation.

But, I was trying to find more information on subject line, and come up empty.

Any of you rail historians have any info as to “who/what/where/when” this route involved?

My bet is that it was a late 19th century interurban route

2

I wonder if it is the Chicago,Attica and Southern,a western Indiana RR which was abandoned in1942. Joe G.

3

I did come across that name while googling around for more info,…but there was no indication as to what if any relationship might have existed…

4

I know I’ve seen a swastika logo in connection with the Chicago, Attica & Southern, but it was in a square background, and oriented 45 degrees differently from this one. The CA&S was formed in 1922 with unwanted portions of other railroads (C&EI, primarily), was bankrupt by 1931, and abandoned completely by 1946 (the 1942 date given earlier is when much of the line was given up.

I looked for an interurban railway with the “Wabash Valley Route” name, and came up empty-handed. So whatever it was, “Wabash Valley Route” is a nickname.

5

Thanks!

I ran into a lot of stuff about Ft Wayne- Lafayette interurban minutea (but nothing specific) when doing some concentrated googling a few nights ago, If I can ask…what was the official name of the first interurban service to go through the Wabash River Valley between those points? Maybe I can “back” my way into it…

6

There was an interurban between Fort Wayne and Lafayette that was called the Fort Wayne and Wabash Valley.

http://206.103.49.193/odds/in/in.htm

http://hometown.aol.com/metrafan/interin.html

http://hometown.aol.com/chirailfan/ztransin.html

7

That was the Wabash Valley Route, the interurban. Much of its roadbed can easily be seen between Fort Wayne and Peru, including the point where it crossed the Wabash east of Lagro, IN. This was once the site of an interlocking tower. There is a book with a lot of pictures in it, too, FORT WAYNE AND WABASH VALLEY TROLLEYS, by George Brady, I believe. Includes pics of the aforementioned tower east of Lagro, a location that can still be picked out along old U. S. 24.

CA&S was a perennial ne’er do well, one of three railroads that once went through Veedersburg, IN. How many towns today once had three railroads through it and now have none? (CA&S, P&E, (NYC), and NKP)

8

Thanks for the additional info [;)]

This thread has been MIA for a while so i’ll post the original graphic again, for the newbies;

9

If I remember right, the Kalmbach guide to historical railroads said it was the Chicago, Attica and Southern. It was mentioned earlier, but that is where you can find it for sure.