CF&E across Indiana and NS from Fort Wayne to Chicago

[Huelsy'sTrainBlog]

Are there any interesting things along either of these tracks, like old depots, neat signals etc.

[Y@]

Most of the diamonds along the way, like Warsaw for example, have Pennsy position light signals guarding them. As for depots, I know Warsaw has a rather interesting station, and I think Hamlet and Hanna both still have stations as well. Otherwise, it's mostly straight, flat, boring track.

[Loco_Engr]

Pierceton has a nice brick station. Last I knew, it was being turned into a restaurant, complete with passenger car on the east side.

Warsaw's station, last used by Amtrak, is now a kid's clothing shop. It's on the north side of the track between Lake & Washington Streets.

Plymouth's station is in the NE quadrant of the diamond with the former Nickel Plate, and is still used by NS MoW forces last I knew.

The station at Hobart still stands as well, but I can't recall exactly where it is located.

There's a really neat stone arch bridge in Columbia City, but it's rather difficult to see/photograph this time of year due to the foliage. Take Highway 9/205 to the south side of town for a glimpse of it.

The bridge over US 30 on the east side of Valparaiso still has PRR keystone logos in the concrete. Neat to see, but difficult to safely photograph.

Other than that, there are PRR position light signals at Warsaw, Plymouth, and Hanna diamonds, as well as the distant signals for these diamonds. Can't really think of anything else "must see" along this line

[Huelsy'sTrainBlog]

Thanks! Is there anything of note on the NS between Forr Wayne and Chicago?

[Loco_Engr]

Well...not much historically speaking. All of the Nickel Plate signals were replaced several years ago, and I believe all of the code line is now gone as well. If you're in the area though, stop by Sidney (south of Pierceton on Highway 13). There is (at least last I knew) a neat little general store right next to the tracks. Train crews waiting in the siding here will sometimes stop in for a snack.

A little further west is Claypool, with the new connection to the Marion District. Argos is the crossing and connection with the former Michigan City branch (same line that crosses the PRR at Plymouth), but you can't really get to the diamond. Juniper Road on the east side of town crosses the west end of the small yard there, though.

If you swing through Knox, they have one of the depots and a caboose set up on the former NYC right of way just off US 35 on the north side of town. While you're there, you might as well head down to North Judson and check out the Hoosier Valley RR Museum.

Other than that, I can't really think of anything off the top of my head.

[Y@]

There are some stretches of code line on the former NKP, but it's so far off the ROW in some spots that it can't easily be worked into a shot.

[Huelsy'sTrainBlog]

Thanks everyone! I plan on going to Rochelle, IL in about 5 weeks and well they say half the fun is getting there so I plan to follow the NS to Chicago then the CF&E back for a change of pace. Are there any good eats along either track????

[Loco_Engr]

Lots of places mentioned here: http://indianarailroads.org/board/index.php?topic=8320.0

Not sure how many are worthwhile, but there's a few next to the Pennsy & NKP.

[rob46580]

If you work Huntington,In into eating time you will not be disappointed eating at Pizza Jct. along NS Huntington District right downtown where 224/5 cross tracks. I have just stopped to eat there and seen 3 trains in the hour or so I ate, yet there are also quiet times along there, but not been skunked eating there 3 times so far. Short camera phone video of the last time i was there. http://youtu.be/0VZ9yzMH7mM
Too bad its on north side of tracks.

[Huelsy'sTrainBlog]

Thanks everyone! We have decided to take the CF&E out and then follow the NS Chicago line back to Toledo. Anything neat along the NS? And anything else on the CF&E would be great!

[conrailman75]

You talking about the NS Chicago District, former NKP line, from Ft. Wayne to Chicago or the former Conrail Chicago line?

[Huelsy'sTrainBlog]

Should have been more specific...former Conrail