Hirail Chase on the Decatur Subdivision

This is a very valuable piece of film because it shows a railroad track that no longer exists. This part of the Decatur Subdivision was abandoned and the track picked up about 1987 or 1988. I was the track supervisor on this territory from 1982 to 1985. When I arrived in 1982, the section of track shown in this clip consisted of jointed 85 and 90 pound rail on very poor ties. The Division Engineer at that time was Charlie King, and he had made it his mission to see this railroad improved. So in 1983 he sent us a large tie program and a welded rail program (the rail was relay 115 RE shipped from Ted Black in Cambridge, Ohio). Before we started improving this track in the summer of 1983, the track was slow ordered in numerous places to 10 mph. In one place, the trains needed to be walked through. This clip shows the track after it was improved, and it was easily good enough for 40 mph, and no less a personage than Bob Wallace said so.

This movie was shot from the drivers seat of a Chessie System Ford F250 pickup truck equipped with hirail wheels so as to be able to travel on railroad track as well as the highway. Many people are surprised to learn that it is completely legal and safe to hirail behind a train. The company rule was that you were to maintain at least 300 feet (or was it 500 feet?) behind the train. At the beginning of the clip, MP 156 is visible; this was 3.8 miles east of Roachdale (home of Jeff Blaydes and the annual roach races). Further along a grain elevator is visible on the south side of the track; this is likely at Barnard. The view going down the hill and curving to the left happens just east of County Line Road. This is the grade crossing where we had a mud hole so bad the trains had to be walked through. This mud bath was caused by what else poor drainage. We rebuilt the crossing with all new ties and filter fabric, installed corrugated metal drain pipes and picked it up at least nine inches on new ballast, replaced more than half the ties in the area, replaced the jointed 90 pound rail with continuously welded 115 pound rail, and we finally had a railroad. Then just a few short years later, they picked it all up. Go figure! Just prior to entering North Salem, we see a grade crossing and MP 152; and at that point, I ran out of film.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Hirail
• Chase
• on
• the
• Decatur
• Subdivision
• Roachdale
• North
• Salem
• B&O
• Railroad
• Barnard
• Ford
• F250
• Bob
• Wallace
• Charlie
• King

[cclark756]

I was the foreman in Roachdale before it all closed. When I worked with Bob Blades, we were stationed inside the depot. Later we were but into a trailer.

[Bluejacket01]

@cclark756 Were you there in Roachdale when the line was closed?

[LCRV1]

Why was this line abandond??? The Track looks to be in really good condition. But CSX was abandoning lines everywhere in the late 1980s, so I am not surprised. Where is this??? Great Video

[Bluejacket01]

@LCRV1 The line was abandoned after it was determined to be redundant due to the merger of Chessie System and the Family Lines into CSX Transportation. The location is western Indiana from Roachdale to North Salem. Glad you enjoyed it!

[Bluejacket01]

Working for the railroad is no bed of roses. A roadmasters job is 24/7.

[Bluejacket01]

No, only employees with company vehicles can do it. Further, the employee needs to be qualified for the territory. This means they have to take an exam given by the Trainmaster or equivalent, and to pass you have to show knowledge of the operating rules and the territory you want to patrol.

[LCRV1]

Yes, the creation of CSX spelled DOOM for hundreds of miles of Railroad that had been deemed "redundant!!" I saw my favorite line scrapped in 1986. It was a sad thing to have to see, and like your line, this route had recently had new Ties and Ballast installed, only to see it all torn up. When they finished taking the Track up, Signals were still in place and still working until the Batteries died out. Everything was still there, except the track!!

[1f5sda]

Why were you chasing the train?

[kenjr29mfl]

Great video. 5***** and favorite.

[fordoffroad1987]

Cool video, I work for a shortline right now in Oregon as a conductor. We use a lot of old track...I'm always interested in old railroad pieces.

[chessie1976]

I bet that was neat! I can retire from my current job at 42, I'd love to work for the railroad after that!