|
Post by richard on Jun 4, 2006 21:41:39 GMT -5
Please post your notes about the Railroads of Columbus here.
|
|
RER
HCI Forum Board Member
"Democracy & Freedom"
Posts: 2,462
|
Post by RER on Jun 4, 2006 22:13:22 GMT -5
Choo, Choo Express...........Read Your History Columbus Fans !! ____________________________________________________
" In 1844 the first railroad in Indiana reached Columbus Indiana from Madison Indiana. This was known as the Madison branch of the Pennsylvania Railroad. The railroad allowed the community to grow into one of the larger communities in Indiana. By the year 1850 three more railroads came into the city of Columbus".
Reference: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bob
|
|
RER
HCI Forum Board Member
"Democracy & Freedom"
Posts: 2,462
|
Post by RER on Jun 4, 2006 22:15:28 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by richard on Jun 5, 2006 10:21:27 GMT -5
Pennsylvania Railroad Freight Terminal in Columbus, Indiana. George remembers that this building was located just west of the bus station and would have been midway between fifth and sixth streets. Photo courtesy of Elbert Innis. Mr. Innis retired from the Pennsylvania Railroad after 42 years of service and was a conductor when he retired.
|
|
|
Post by richard on Jun 5, 2006 10:22:56 GMT -5
Pennsylvania Railroad building which was know as “The Yard Office.” It was located at the west end of fourth street. Photo courtesy of Elbert Innis. Mr. Innis retired from the Pennsylvania Railroad after 42 years of service and was a conductor when he retired.
|
|
RER
HCI Forum Board Member
"Democracy & Freedom"
Posts: 2,462
|
Post by RER on Jun 28, 2006 15:41:47 GMT -5
"The Appropriation of Money To Build The Railroad through Columbus"
Indiana Governor Noah Noble signed the Mammoth Internal Improvement Bill, January 27, 1836 and appropriated $1,300,000 to construct, and complete the first railroad system from Madison, through Columbus to Indianapolis and on to Lafayette Indiana.
Several men were appointed by the Governor to superintend the work. Aside from their necessary expenses they were paid $2.00 and day for their services to complete the railroad.
As we know the Pennsylvania Railroad to Columbus was complete and operational in 1844, and three more followed by 1850.
Reference: A History of Indiana, From Exploration to 1850, By: Logan Esarey, Ph. D. Indiana University 1924
Bob
|
|
|
Post by richard on Jun 28, 2006 19:22:31 GMT -5
Railroads in operation January 1, 1848 Map courtesy of RER
|
|
|
Post by richard on Jun 28, 2006 19:23:50 GMT -5
Railroads in operation January 1, 1850 Map courtesy of RER
|
|
RER
HCI Forum Board Member
"Democracy & Freedom"
Posts: 2,462
|
Post by RER on Jun 28, 2006 21:29:08 GMT -5
"The Railroads From Jeffersonville To Columbus and Indianapolis"
In October 1852 the Jeffersonville Railroad reached Columbus Indiana. There were two separate railroads called the Jefferson Railroad and the M&I and they had big time disputes and feuds over trackage to and from Indianapolis etc.
An interesting part of the feud between the Jeffersonville Railroad and the M&I were the races on the paired lines between Columbus and Edinburg. In 1853 a race from Columbus to Edinburg was held. The Jeffersonville Railroad Train and an M&I train started at the same speed. As soon as the M& I train gained a slight lead and the passengers had given a signal for a race, the the Jeffersonville Railroad took the lead and won.
In 1864 the M&I track between Columbus and Edinburg was abandoned. Thereafter, the trains of M&I and the Jeffersonville Railroad used the Jeffersonville Railroad track.
In 1866 the Jeffersonville (J), Madison(M) and Indianapolis(I) Railroad Companies merged, to then be called the JM&I. As you notice that is where the symbol came from.
Reference: Indiana train history of JM&I
Bob
|
|
RER
HCI Forum Board Member
"Democracy & Freedom"
Posts: 2,462
|
Post by RER on Jun 29, 2006 11:08:21 GMT -5
"My First Train Ride From Columbus Indiana"
The only time I took a train from Columbus Indiana was in 1960. I can't recall the name of the serving railroad at the time, but remember the event. It was my first long train ride to Salt Lake City Utah, to start my formal education at Utah State University, Logan Utah.
The ride was so beautiful through the west and the mountains. I can still see the beautiful mountains, lakes, and amazing scenery.
My father took me that day down by Jackson Street or 4th Street I believe, and I could see his moist eyes and wave, as I departed for the long haul. I do recall switching trains at the Chicago Train Terminal. It was hard to sleep on the train with the "clacky, clacky sounds.
I remember eating in the lunch and dinner car. Mostly, my favorite at that time was peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Several days later we arrived in Salt Lake City, Utah. I was then transported by car the remainder of the trip. Coming back from Logan Utah in the spring was by car, but it would have been great to see the picturesque views of the county again by train.
Bob
|
|
mfaure
HCI Forum Board Member
Posts: 53
|
Post by mfaure on Jul 1, 2006 14:06:59 GMT -5
mention railroads and I am off and running. In 1953 I boarded "The Riley" at the train station on Jackson. I rode the Riley to Chicago. In Chicago I boarded the Santa Fe "El Capitan" for one of the most enjoyable trips I have ever taken to California. On the way home I rode the "chief". Not exactly a pleasant trip as I was expecting and was having morning sickness.
My husband and I have gone to New Orleans by train and enjoyed it greatly. The only bad thing about the train now is going to Indianapolis to get on.
We also left the middle of last October for a trip across the U. S. to San Fransisco, then up to Vancouver where the boarded "The Canadian". Back across the lower part of Canada to New York. Then on to Washington, D C and finally home. Took us about 2 weeks. Someday I hope to sit down and write about the trip in full. It was one of the most unforgettable experiences of my life. In more ways than one. We traveled all the way "Coach". Wasn't so bad one you got used to it.
Trains are the way to travel if you can go first class as we did when we went to New Orleans. Also there is the thing about "time". You don't want to hurry. Just sit back and enjoy.
Margie
|
|
RER
HCI Forum Board Member
"Democracy & Freedom"
Posts: 2,462
|
Post by RER on Jul 1, 2006 14:37:03 GMT -5
What a great pool of train trips and fun. Margie you have some of the best memories by train that I have heard in years. I haven't been on that many, as I said earlier. From Columbus only once to Utah and then from California to San Antonio Texas, many years ago. However, I have flown on aircraft to almost ever state we have. In fact I have been in all 50 states at one time or another. Mostly, by plane but various trips by automobile.
Thanks for sharing you Railroad adventures and trips with you husband.
Bob
|
|
RER
HCI Forum Board Member
"Democracy & Freedom"
Posts: 2,462
|
Post by RER on Jul 5, 2006 21:06:43 GMT -5
"The Great Depression 1930 Hurt Railroads"
The 1930 Depression expedited the huge decline of passenger service to and from Columbus. That year the last passenger train on the Columbus-Dublin Junction was stopped.
The steam passenger train between Columbus and Madison was halted June 30, 1931 and replaced by the gasoline "doodlebug." The doodlebug was discontinued in 1935 in Columbus. A coach was attached to the daily freight train to accommodate the limited passengers.
The coach ended in 1938 for the secondary tracks. Stations were closed in 1930.
In 1954 the only open stations were Columbus, North Vernon and Madison.
Bob
|
|
RER
HCI Forum Board Member
"Democracy & Freedom"
Posts: 2,462
|
Post by RER on Jul 5, 2006 21:24:16 GMT -5
"World War II Impacts Columbus Traffic 1940s"
More cargo and freight was hauled by steam trains during WW II. The freight was increased because of the Army Post at Atterbury, near Edinburg. Increases also at Jefferson Proving Grounds near Madison and Atterbury Air Base in Columbus.
The Pennsylvania Railroad (PPR) provided some of the largest and newest steam locomotives during the war years through Columbus.
Bob
|
|
RER
HCI Forum Board Member
"Democracy & Freedom"
Posts: 2,462
|
Post by RER on Jul 5, 2006 22:45:07 GMT -5
This is an actual picture from the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) of the South bound Madison in the years 1952 passing the Columbus Passenger Station. (My first picture posting and what a hard time I had. Thanks Richard for helping me get it right. Bob
|
|
RER
HCI Forum Board Member
"Democracy & Freedom"
Posts: 2,462
|
Post by RER on Jul 5, 2006 23:21:18 GMT -5
'Railroad In 1952"Columbus passenger train station was torn down in 1953. The block station and passenger facilities were relocated a short distance South, as shown on the map. During the 1960s a downtown redevelopment project, that created Mill Race Park caused most of the PRR tracks to be relocated. The Park was West of 5th Street and Brown Street where the Mooney Tannery had been. This is also where the Driftwood and Flatrock Rivers joined to form the East Fork of White River. The new route went North from the White River Railroad bridge along the east side of Mill Race Park down a line a couple blocks West of Jackson Street. The freight yard shown on this map was removed. Bob
|
|
RER
HCI Forum Board Member
"Democracy & Freedom"
Posts: 2,462
|
Post by RER on Jul 5, 2006 23:35:03 GMT -5
"Turn That Train Around Boys"This is a Columbus Indiana picture of a train being turned around on the Columbus turntable in the 1950s. The turntable was operated by compressed air from the train. Bob
|
|
RER
HCI Forum Board Member
"Democracy & Freedom"
Posts: 2,462
|
Post by RER on Jul 5, 2006 23:56:44 GMT -5
"Coal Tower For The Steamers"This was the Columbus train coal tower that served the main line. Coal was loaded in the tower. A clam shell was used to fill the tower with coal. Bob
|
|
RER
HCI Forum Board Member
"Democracy & Freedom"
Posts: 2,462
|
Post by RER on Jul 6, 2006 0:09:18 GMT -5
"Loading Steamer With Coal In 1952"This train is being loaded with coal by the clam and crane at the Columbus facilities in December 1952.
|
|
RER
HCI Forum Board Member
"Democracy & Freedom"
Posts: 2,462
|
Post by RER on Jul 6, 2006 0:16:10 GMT -5
"On Your Mark Get Set Let's Race Guys"In high speed and lots of smoke an steam, these two trains side by side race across State Road 46 a mile South of Columbus in December 1952. Bob
|
|