RER
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Post by RER on Jul 6, 2006 0:29:39 GMT -5
"Yard Engines Used To Move Cars Around"Columbus Yard Engine for switching cars. Picture was taken in March 1952. Bob
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RER
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Post by RER on Jul 6, 2006 0:46:35 GMT -5
"Passenger Trains Before Diesel Electrics Took Over"Columbus passenger train leaving Columbus March 1953. The train is passing the car inspector's shanty shack at the yard near the end of steam trains on the PRR. Soon, after this the passenger trains converted to "Shark Nose" diesel electrics. Bob
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RER
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Post by RER on Jul 6, 2006 1:01:37 GMT -5
"Passing Through Columbus With Military Tanks"This train is North bound in the spring of 1952. The first three cars carried large military tanks to be delivered to Camp Atterbury in Edinburg Indiana. Bob
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RER
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Post by RER on Jul 6, 2006 7:21:05 GMT -5
"Typical train Wreck"In 1921 a train wreck happened 2 miles South of Columbus. Bob
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nancs
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Post by nancs on Jul 6, 2006 11:34:23 GMT -5
Wonderful photo, and the RR buff in this household, who, in his youth worked on the railroad in Iowa, says the forked stick, if you look closely, has a string/wire going across the top, with something 'white' attached. My source says the lady was 'passing a note to the engineer, who sits on the right side of the engine' and thus the train did not have to stop. Nanc
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RER
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Post by RER on Jul 6, 2006 11:47:49 GMT -5
Nanc, I think you are correct. I didn't see the note in the middle of the fork until you mentioned it. The engineer may have been her husband or she worked for the PRR and was passing a message. Interesting observation on your part.
Bob
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Gregg
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Post by Gregg on Jul 6, 2006 12:49:44 GMT -5
According to Phil Anderson's article, that's Muriel Imel, PRR block manager, handing train orders to the engineer.
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RER
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Post by RER on Jul 6, 2006 15:28:30 GMT -5
"Phil Anderson Knows More About Columbus Trains Than Most"He lived and went to school in Columbus and spent a lot of time around the train yards. Go to his Web Site and see and read all about Columbus train history: Go Here: www.hometown.aol.com/ma393/railroad/index.htmBob
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RER
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Post by RER on Jul 7, 2006 14:57:57 GMT -5
"Railroad Part of 1836 Internal Improvement Program For Nation"Even before Indiana was a state and settled by the pioneers, the United States developed what was called “Systematic Internal Improvements.” Shortly, after the War of 1812 there was an urgent need by the government to demand that internal improvements be made. In other words construction and development progress throughout the states. The government found support among the farmers and business people. Every State from North, South and West was busy from 1816 to 1840 developing and perfecting their own systems or “Internal Improvements.” Indiana became a state in 1816. After, Indiana became a State the motivation of the Governments original plan of “Internal Improvements” continued by Indiana Governor Noah Noble and many settlers and citizens of Indiana. In 1836 part of the “Internal Improvements” plan of course included the Railroad systems from Madison to Columbus and on to Indianapolis. Also, a Railroad system from near Lawrenceburg through Greensburg and on to Indianapolis. The below drawing shows the many Internal Improvements projected for the State of Indiana in 1836. It shows canal developments and the future Railroad desires. I have marked in yellow with circled numbers 1 and 2 showing the track desires. As we know the Railroad finally made it from Madison to Columbus in 1844, which is about eight years later of the projected plans. Reference: (quotes in part) A History of Indiana/From Its Exploration To 1850. By Logan Esarey, Ph.D Indiana University 1916
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RER
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Post by RER on Jul 8, 2006 18:05:58 GMT -5
"Summary Columbus Indiana Railroad Map Through 1853"The map below brings together the advancements of the United States "Internal Improvements Plans" for the railroad system in Indiana, Ohio, and Illinois around 1853. In Summary:(1) The first Railroad to Columbus from Madison was in 1844.(2) The next completed Railroad to Columbus was from Jeffersonville in 1852. (3) By the end of 1853 the double tracks from Columbus to Edinburgh had been finished. (4) A track from Columbus to Shelbyville was complete in 1853.(5) Interestingly, the track from Lawrenceburg to Indianapolis was finished. The reason I say this is that it was Governor Noah Nobles "Internal Improvement" items in 1836. It took 17 years to complete his wishes on that note. Enjoy the study of this summary map:
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Post by richard on Jul 9, 2006 16:15:50 GMT -5
Below is the new Railroad bridge over the Haw Creek. If I have my information correct, the old Steel Through Truss was replaced with this Steel Through Girder. If this is incorrect, please send a note or reply.
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Post by richard on Jul 9, 2006 16:24:41 GMT -5
The old track followed a straight line into the old bridge. This bridge was placed north of the old site. The tree line in the background is the route of Second Street and where the original Madison Columbus line made it’s way through downtown Columbus.
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Post by richard on Aug 6, 2006 12:46:09 GMT -5
This view is the Madison Branch line crossing Gladstone Avenue. The camera angle is to the southeast. The ArvinMeritor Inc., formerly Arvin Gladstone Plant storage area can be seen on the left side of this picture. There is a siding into this plant. However, I’m not sure if or how often it’s used.
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Post by richard on Aug 6, 2006 12:48:08 GMT -5
This picture is near the end of the Madison Branch in Columbus today. The camera angle is looking northwest from the Marr Road. With a slight curve onto 17th Street Marr Road today runs from near St. Louis Crossing to Gladstone Avenue near the south edge of Columbus in the old East Columbus area. The first siding on the right side of this picture services a corrugated box manufacture. The second siding in this view is servicing The Kroot Corporation. Notice the number of loaded cars. I’d say the price of steel was up that day!
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RER
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Post by RER on Sept 16, 2006 13:45:35 GMT -5
"The Ghost of Columbus Indiana's Railroad"
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Post by richard on Sept 28, 2006 21:48:00 GMT -5
Below are two articles from the local paper. The date of publication is unknown. Photo Courtesy of Linda Brown
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Post by richard on Sept 28, 2006 23:51:44 GMT -5
Penn Central Engine number 8589. L - R: E. C. Ennis, Carl Brown, Jim Smiley, Bob Brown, Virgil Bump and Everett Hill Photo Courtesy of Linda Brown
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Post by richard on Sept 28, 2006 23:53:40 GMT -5
Carl Brown is at the switch and Virgil Bump is on Penn Central Engine number 8589. This picture of the switch was taken at North Madison where the train is getting ready to go over the hill. The Barber Wholesale Grocery is on the right. Photo Courtesy of Linda Brown
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Post by richard on Sept 28, 2006 23:55:32 GMT -5
Carl Brown appears to be checking the tracks from Penn Central Engine number 8589.This picture was taken on the hill at North Madison as the train was getting ready to go down the Madison hill. The Madison hill is the steepest non-cogged rail hill in the world. The hill is one mile long at a 5.8% grade that leads into downtown Madison, Indiana. Photo Courtesy of Linda Brown
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Post by richard on Sept 28, 2006 23:57:11 GMT -5
This picture appears to be at a retirement party that occurred September 12, 1961.Bottom Row L - R: Willie Joslin, Bob Brown, Jess A. Stader, Eddie Roberts, Elbert Ennis. Top Row L - R: Dickie Chandler, Eppie Hardin (lower), Bob Ogilivle, Rich Harrison - Agent, Harold Taskey, Virgil Bump, Bob Imel, ? Bennett - Maintenance. Photo Courtesy of Linda Brown
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