Erie Lackawanna and Erie Western Railroads

These are various photos of the former Erie Lackawanna Railroad through Decatur Indiana, also includes the former Pennsylvania R.R. Station, Penn crossed EL and Nickel Plate on Southside of Decatur. Some of the photos are the current condition of the R.O.W. itself, much of it on the Indiana side has been converted back to farmground. I also included in the the portion of track from Glenmore Ohio, to Ohio City, talk about a "Ghost Junction", Ohio City is it, sure too bad. This also includes photos I recently found on the net of the Erie Western Railway, in and around the Decatur area.The Erie Western was incorporated in August 1977 and began operations under an Interstate Commerce Commission car service order on September 25, 1977 to operate freight service for 158 miles on the former Erie Lackawanna Railway main line from the Indiana/Ohio state line near Wren, Ohio west to Hammond, Indiana. The Erie Western was created because the former main line of the Erie Lackawanna Railway, which went bankrupt in 1972, was not included in the federal government's creation of Conrail, prompting the Erie Western to be formed by shippers and others who wanted to retain and preserve rail service. I am not sure whether or not the Erie Western went as far as Wren Ohio, which is roughly 1 one mile inside the Ohio boarder. The Erie Western stopped operating in June 1979 when the state of Indiana stopped subsidizing it. The Chicago and Indiana (C&I) began operating but did not last long, shutting down on December 30, 1979, I have found no pictures regarding this line, not much info. as far as that goes, don't even know for sure if they ran in the Decatur area on this former EL section. The EL trustees were asking $21.5 million for the line, much more than C&I could afford. Included in this video is various pictures of the Erie Lackawanna, East/West double track in the Decatur area, and also the former Penn Central (GR & I) that run North/South. The GR & I, later Pennsylvania, Penn Central, Railroad Station is also in this slide presentation. The Railroad station is now empty and happy to report they took away the "lattice work" of an addition that has been on since it has been a flower shop in recent history. I credit all who uploaded various photos to the net for all of us to enjoy, they are well apprecited for sure....... I grew up West of Decatur, close to the E.L. track, basically all Decatur has now is "spur line" from Fort Wayne servicing the Bunge (Central Soya Plant), although they also they do go as far back as Dolco Packaging in Industrial Park on Decatur's West side on the old E.L. track, although recently the State of Indiana paved over the crossing on S13th St. (U.S.27/33), due to CFE not giving much of response, if any at all to make the necessary repairs. The CFE is in Decatur now making repairs to track at various locations close to the Bunge Plant.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Erie
• Lackawanna
• and
• Western
• Railroads

[fredstuckmann]

Yes the Erie Western did go to Wren Ohio. I was there when they did.

Thanks Franky, nice work.

[franky98765]

@fredstuckmann What was the last year of that?,... about the same time as the 81' or so time-frame that they give all of it up around Decatur, East-West-South. Do you also know when the last SPEG ran to Glenmore yet?, did all that stop roughly at the same time... same late 96' time of the Indiana Hi-rail, l guess l'm assuming all the Hi-rail was taken out all the way to Ohio City at that time as it was around here, in early 97' or into 98'? l appreciate your input. Thanks, Dave Reinking, Decatur

[Seaboard1321]

Where did you find the pictures of the ERES rolling stock?

[intercityrailpal]

Thank you for your good work. When I was very young I rode this many,many times at 70mph,80 and better when we were late. Between Chicago and Hoboken. Wish you could have too!

[arrowguy173]

Nice images! Passed through Decatur a lot in the last 15 years & it's hard to even find the old NKP which was intact in the mid 90's - trying to remember when it was taken up. I have followed the EL several miles either direction as well. The old signal masts in western Ohio were neat to see.