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We pulled into the French Lick, West Baden & Southern station parking lot.
This switcher was idling when we walk up to it. I walked into the station and found Alan Barnett, Executive Director & General Manager, who was waiting for us. He showed how this common carrier handles their freight business which it does very well. The freight hauled on this railroad consists mainly of soybean meal and petroleum products. After we all did our conversations we headed out to the GE 80 Toner 6 with a Caterpillar engine which Alan would take us out on solo. We took off crossing the highway and then passed a small yard. We had started out on the ex Monon Railroad but have moved onto the former southern Railway tracks built in 1907.
A view looking back.
Heading out of the small yard across the highway from the station.
Heading out of French Lick.
Crossing one of the many grade crossings in French Lick.
The boyhood home of famous basketball legend Larry Bird who played for those Boston Celtics.
The last grade crossing in French Lick.
The engine took a left hand curve as we started to climb the 1% grade for five miles towards the tunnel heading into the Hoosier National Forest.
Through the trees as we climbed the grade.
Taking a right hand curve.
We rolled forward on another short piece of straight track.
Approaching another curve.
Ready for another piece of straight track.
Passing a rock outcropping.
Rolling southwest up another piece of straight track.
A curve and we have spotted the Burton Tunnel on the line.
We rolled closer to it.
We were about to enter the 2200 foot Burton Tunnel. We slowly made our way through the Burton Tunnel and on the other side Alan stopped the engine. Chris Parker and I climbed off the engine for a photo runby.
The engine backed into the Burton Tunnel. I relocated for a different view.
Our engine then came forward and came to a stop. Chris and I reboarded and we continued onward towards Cuzco.
A view looking back at the Burton Tunnel.
The engine took the next curve and started down a piece of straight track.
Another rock outcropping.
Parson Falls.
Ready to take a slight left hand curve.
Starting down another straight track.
The engine took the next curve.
Rolling down the rails towards Cuzco.
Out of the forest we passed along side of some fields.
Crossing a large field as we rolled along.
Our engine coming into Cuzco. Here we all climbed off of the engine to take some pictures of our special engine.
Views of 80 Toner 6 at Cuzco.
A building at Cuzco.
One last picture of our engine at Cuzco before we all climbed back onboard and returned to French Lick. Our engine climbed back up to the Burton Tunnel and then started down the grade to French Lick.
An 1850 Log Cabin. Alan then demonstrated the grade by just letting our engine roll down the grade. This was a very interesting way to see the affect of the grade on a train. All too soon we had reached French Lick.
Our engine rolled into the French Lick Station and we came to a stop ending a very interesting trip on the French Lick, West Baden and Southern. Now it was time to start looking around the yard.
Trolley they use at the museum.
Pluto Water NADX 2688.
CW&C Caboose 10.
FLWB&S 2-6-0 208 was Angelna and Neches River 208 from Texas.
Mobile & Gulf 2-6-0 97.
IN&OH Gravel 0-4-0T 11.
French Lick, West Baden & Southern Emblem.
Passenger Car.
Cars used on their passenger trains.
Another switcher.
CNW RDC 400.
The RS-1 4
Switcher 119.
Switcher S-4 101.
Yard scenes.
Monon Caboose 81532.
C&EI Caboose 1953. With that last picture Chris and I returned to the station and said goodbye to Alan thanking him for an excellent ride and visit to the French Lick, West Baden & Southern Railway. We drove back to US 150 to Paoli where we turned north onto Indiana 37 and we made a stop at a Walmart for my discs for the camera. North of town we ran along the former Monon Railway and made a stop for one last picture today.
A pair of ex Monon Railway Semaphores. We drove north along Indiana 37 north to Martinsville where we spent the night at the Best Western. We checked in, I checked E-mail then we called it a night. Tomorrow the Beech Grove Shop Tour.
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