Shipshewana Branch, 1970-1980
Posted: Wed Sep 08, 2021 10:13 pm
Hello everyone,
I am looking for information on the rail line to Shipshewana, Indiana. It started in Goshen, and travelled through Middlebury to reach Shipshewana, Under Penn Central, it was called the Shipshewana Branch.
I have not found much about the branch online. According to the USRA Final System Plan, in 1973, operations were weekly, and a 1500 hp locomotive (GP7?) was used. Carloads amounted to 181 at Middleburg, and 275 at Shipshewana. Coachman Industries at Middleburg may have been a customer. The line was not recommended to be included in Conrail,but operating subsidies were available. It seems that Conrail may have operated the branch until 1979, when it was taken over by the Indiana Interstate Railway. Freight was moved during the week, and a steam powered passenger train ran on the weekend. Edds Supply in Shipshewana received tank cars. Customers at that time were a fertilizer dealer (Edds?), lumber yard and grain elevator in Shipshewana, and a lumber yard and factory in Middleburg. Indiana Interstate ceased operations in December 1980. The Penn Central estate still owned the track, and would not sell the line at a reasonable price. The track was taken up in 1981 or 1982.
Anything to help flesh that out is what I am hoping for. Names of customers, commodities shipped or received, locomotives commonly used, how operations were conducted, stories and personalities involved with the branch, etc. Any and all information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Mark
Edit: Middleburg corrected to Middlebury
I am looking for information on the rail line to Shipshewana, Indiana. It started in Goshen, and travelled through Middlebury to reach Shipshewana, Under Penn Central, it was called the Shipshewana Branch.
I have not found much about the branch online. According to the USRA Final System Plan, in 1973, operations were weekly, and a 1500 hp locomotive (GP7?) was used. Carloads amounted to 181 at Middleburg, and 275 at Shipshewana. Coachman Industries at Middleburg may have been a customer. The line was not recommended to be included in Conrail,but operating subsidies were available. It seems that Conrail may have operated the branch until 1979, when it was taken over by the Indiana Interstate Railway. Freight was moved during the week, and a steam powered passenger train ran on the weekend. Edds Supply in Shipshewana received tank cars. Customers at that time were a fertilizer dealer (Edds?), lumber yard and grain elevator in Shipshewana, and a lumber yard and factory in Middleburg. Indiana Interstate ceased operations in December 1980. The Penn Central estate still owned the track, and would not sell the line at a reasonable price. The track was taken up in 1981 or 1982.
Anything to help flesh that out is what I am hoping for. Names of customers, commodities shipped or received, locomotives commonly used, how operations were conducted, stories and personalities involved with the branch, etc. Any and all information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Mark
Edit: Middleburg corrected to Middlebury