On Sunday, September 22, 1957 the Illini Railroad Club in conjunction with the Indiana Historical Society put together a special excursion on the Central Indiana, a small short line that ran from Anderson, IN to Lebanon, IN. In addition, extra coaches were added to Monon trains 11 and 14 to accommodate excursion passengers.

The special Central Indiana (CI) excursion departed from Anderson, IN at 11:00am and headed west for a noon arrival in Westfield, IN. Meanwhile, earlier in the day Monon train 11, The Tippecanoe, departed from Chicago’s Dearborn Station at 8:55am with extra coaches on the rear for the CI excursion. Arriving at 12:30pm the Tippecanoe delivered the extra coaches to the waiting CI train. The CI special departed Westfield at 1:00pm for a scheduled 1:30 arrival in Lebanon.

The CI excursion was scheduled to make a quick stop in Lebanon, departing just fifteen minutes after arriving. The train was scheduled to arrive in Anderson at 3:30pm where the train was reduced to the coaches that had been interchanged from the Monon. A 4:00pm departure from Anderson brought the train to Westfield at 5:00pm with plenty of time to prepare for the arrival of Monon train 14, The Hoosier. The extra coaches were added to the rear of the Hoosier departing Westfield at 5:48pm for an early evening arrival of 9:15pm at Dearborn Station.

Passengers were able to enjoy dinner while returning to Chicago on the Hoosier. Refreshments were served on the CI excursion with photo stops along the way. Movies were also shown on the CI excursion.

Ben Planck rode on the CI excursion that day back in 1957 and brought a camera along with him. His photos are displayed below and depict the CI special and ROW around Lebanon. Also shown are two New York Central passenger trains, numbers 415 and 416, both the Booth Tarkington. The CI crossed the New York Central’s Indiana Division at Lebanon. The crossing was protected by a tilting target signal normally lined for NYC movements. The crossing had a speed restriction of 20mph.

Documents:

Photos:

Illinois Central E8A 4021 leads New York Central train 415, the Booth Tarkington, westbound near the NYC/CI crossing, which is behind the photographer out of view. The train is running at an easy 20mph due to the speed restriction through town and is preparing to make a stop at the station less than a mile ahead. September 22, 1957. (Ben Planck Photo)

A New York Central Fairbanks Morse Erie-Built leads an Alco PB2 with the eastbound train number 416, the Booth Tarkington. Notice the tilting target signal above the lead engine protecting the NYC/CI crossing. September 22, 1957. (Ben Planck Photo)

A Budd stainless steel observation car brings up the rear of train 416, the Booth Tarkington. The train has just finished crossing the CI and is heading for a scheduled 2:35pm arrival at Indianapolis Union Station. September 22, 1957. (Ben Planck Photo)

Looking west down the CI tracks. The line crossing overhead is the PRR from Indianapolis through Frankfort and on to Logansport. By this time the CI track did not go much farther west past the PRR. Today only the PRR tracks remain through Lebanon. September 22, 1957. (Ben Planck Photo)

We’re looking westbound down the CI at the crossing with the New York Central. Notice the tilting target protecting the crossing. The vertical position indicated it was clear for NYC trains to pass without stopping. A horizontal target indicated clearance for CI trains to proceed. The derail on the CI appears to be connected to the target signal. September 22, 1957. (Ben Planck Photo)

I am unsure of the location of this photo, but it appears to be Lebanon. The business car appears to be the Madue Walker. The car directly in front of it may be the other business car Dutchess. September 22, 1957. (Ben Planck Photo)

I am unsure of the location of this photo, but it appears to be Lebanon. This is Central Indiana #1, an EMD SW-1, the CI's first and only new locomotive. September 22, 1957. (Ben Planck Photo)