08-2006

Along The Right Of Way

August 2008

M.P. A00.0 - 3st Subdivision - Rn

M.P. B88.4 - 2nd Subdivision - Rn

M.P. 88.4 - 1st Subdivision - Rn

The town of Monon was platted by James Brooks, President of the New Albany and Salem Railroad (forerunner of the Monon Railroad), in 1853. The first post office was established in 1838. The town was incorporated in 1878. There are two creeks near Monon, the Big Monon and the Little Monon. The spelling of the name of the creeks, from which the name of Monon is derived, was formerly Monong, a Potawatomi word which one authority says meant "swift-running". The name of Monon is also accredited to the Monon Railroad. The name Monon was adopted by the Monon in the late 1940's for advertising purposes. In 2000 the population of Monon was 1,733. (Historical information from Now and Then, a Century of Progress, Monon, 1878-1978 courtsey of the Town of Monon Library.)

Monon Indiana depot, early 1900's. This depot is the the original wooden depot after a second story was added. Exact date unknown. Locomotive pictured is on the Indianapolis line. This depot was replaced with a limestone one during the McDoel presidency.

Monon Indiana depot, circa 1922.

The town was the meeting point for the the different branches. The northern division rounded a nine degree curve before heading south to Layafette and eventually Louisville. The Indianapolis line headed east and the Michigan City line headed north. This building was reduced to rubble on September 17, 1951, when Train 5, the Thoroughbred derailed rounding the curve. F3A units 85A and 85B, with additional units 82A and 81B behind being taken to Lafayette. The accident occured at 3:18 pm. The depot was replaced and officially opened June 10, 1953.

Monon Indiana depot. Two story wood structure which was replaced with a limestone depot, which was leveled in the 1951 accident. Train pictured is on the Indianapolis line.

The replacement depot. Opened in 1953. this photo appears to show the depot during the late 1950's or early 1960's based on the vehicles in the picture. The exact date is unknow. Image courtsey of Mike Aufderheide.

Aftermath of the accident which destroyed the depot, September 17, 1951. Photos taken by Morris Kirby, used by permission of the Joe Kriby Family.

Left: Another picture of the depot accident. Pictured is Monon F3A #85A, which was the second locomotive on the southbound. Hulce Martin photo. Right: October 26, 1952. Monon mail-baggage car #317 filling in as the temporary depot in Monon, Indiana. A new brick depot would open in 1953.

Northbound Train #6. Left: Crossing Monon Creek approaching the depot. Right: Gliding around the curve slowing for their stop. Date unknown.

May 25, 1963, a Monon passenger pay a call on its namesake. Picture also shows hotel in the background. E. Strombeck photo

When you look at the Strombeck photo above, the distance between the tracks and the Hotel seem normal. The two images above illustrate just how close the hotel sat to the mainline. Left: Southbound Train #5 gliding past the depot. You can see the back of the hotel in this picture. Right: Northbound Train #6 passing the hotel entrance. Yes, it was pretty close quarters.

Local #45 starting around the curve. This photo also illustrates how close the hotel was to the tracks.

Monon employees picnic special northbound on the Michigan City branch. This group is headed for an outing at Michigan City. The Indianapolis Branch runs left to right.

Photos along the Michigan City branch are somewhat rare. Here is one taken in the ealry 1970's of the Michigan City mainline and the tracks leading into Dye Lumber. The street pictured is 5th Street.

Local action in the North Yard. Left: BL2 on local coming off the enginehouse lead. Right: Local turning onto the Wye which leads to the Michigan City Branch.

Looking railroad south toward Monon. This image is looking towards the depot downtown. This is the north end of the west yard. The tracks pictured, left to right, the Air Line 1 and expansion, the Monon mainline and a spur leading down to where coke was stored. At one time the Monon was in the coke business unloading at Monon and Shops and then the business would request so many cars to be reloaded and shipped out. The pile is in the vicinity of the site of the rail plant. Both being West of the engine house.

There were two yards at Monon. The main yard, called the West Yard, was 11 tracks wide (including the mainline) and about 2,500 feet long with a 270 car capacity in 1948. The other, the South Yard, ran parallel to the Louisville main and began immediately south of the Monon Creek bridge. It was only 5 tracks wide but had a 278 car capacity because it was 4,200 feet long. Pictured is the West Yard and engine facillity that was west of the depot. Date of the picture is unknown. In 1926 a huge fire destroyed the enginehouse and machine shop. They were replaced in 1928.

Monon Indiana coal dock. Date unknown.

The Monon, Indiana West Yard and enginehouse, circa 1967. You are looking northwest.

Another look at the enginehouse at Monon, Indiana. Note the BL2 indside the building. Photo was also taken in 1967.

Turntable at Monon. The turntable was located west of the depot, about 100 feet south of the mainline and about 700 feet east of the enginehouse. The enginehouse was not a roundhouse. It was rectangular with all four stalls accessed by switches (points facing east) off the enginehouse lead. The turntable, only about a sixty-footer, was at the end of its own spur that ran from the enginehouse lead. The enginehouse lead was near and parallel to the yard's east-end ladder track. Picture circa 1967. Image courtsey of Tim Swan.

The West, or North Yard, at Monon was also the home of the Rail Plant. Left and Right: Pictures of the Rail Plant.

Left: Southbound train #73 passing through the West, or North Yard, circa late 1950's. Right: Southbound approaching the depot and the curve to continue its journey to south.

The south yard at Monon. Left: Local working in the south yard, heading north. Right: Southbound Train #5 passing through the south yard.

Left: Train #6 northbound through the south yards. Right: Freight #73 has already crossed Monon Creek and is passing through the south yard.

Left: Great shot of the south yard and train #73 passing through. Highway 421 is to the right side of the image. Right: Another view of southbound Train #73 passing.

Switchman signaling the locomotive. South yard at Monon. Again, that is Highway 421 over to the right.

Monon Crushed Stone Company. Date of picture unknown.

Left and Right: Derailment in the southyard. Northbound freight has a little mishap coming through the yard. The Monon Stone Crusher is pictured in the photo to the left. -Dick Fontaine Photographs-

Another view of the derailment, southyard, Monon. -Dick Fontaine Photograph-

Monon Indiana..Today

No visit to Monon would be complete without a stop at the caboose. The caboose sits in a grassy area between the interchange track and the old Indianapolis mainline. Although not original Monon, this caboose and historical marker are tribute to what the Monon Railroad meant to this community and Indiana. Even though it is NOT authentic Monon, it is still pretty neat.

The replacement depot still stands to this day. This is the east side of the structure, taken closer than the image above. The Michigan City branch is in the foreground. It is still in use by the CSX as far north as Medaryville. Like to take a look inside the depot today.

Monon Indiana, looking at the west side of the depot. The mainline curves south and heads to Lafayette. Line to the left of the photo was the old Indianapolis line.

Today, this is all that remains of the old hotel. An overgrown foundation.

Left: Monon Creek bridge. Looking north along the mainline. CSX GP-15-1 stands on the old Michigan City branch at the depot. Right: Up close and personal with the engine. Too bad it wasn't running. Always wanted to drive one of these.

Left: April 2003. This is what remains of the north yard. Right, another view of the same area. You are looking to the southwest in this picture. Not much left of what at one time was an important part of the Monon and the town.

South Yard at Monon, 2004. Looking north from Quarry Road back towards town. Right: Looking south along the mainline. Off to the left of the image is the stone quarry and crusher.

Left and Right: Michigan City line and back of the Dye Lumber area, circa 2007.

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