Here is Wabash Indiana in the 1940s. A Big Four train is at the Wabash Depot. The train is running Southbound
Wonderful memory photo Roger. If there were hills in the background, this could easily have been anywhere on the Harlem Division in southeastern New York State, also in the 40's. The main structure of the station appears to be at an angle relative to the train and platfform. Was there another rail line on the other side of the station?
Big Four Depot - Wabash Indiana, Postcard photo There are people and two bicycles leaning against the building. There is a track running directly in front of the Depot as well as to the side where the Big Four train is standing. Note also the snowplow at the far right. The answer is, yes.
Thanks, nice postcard. Though it makes the area around the station seem barren. Is that true of the Wabash area in general? Interesting to note that the Big-4 track is the only one with a platform and an eave for passenger protection. Does this mean the track crossing the Big-4 and running in front of the station is freight only, or else wouldn't it have a platform and extended eave also?
The depot was the division headquarters until the mid-20s. Here is a drawing-map of the area. Speaking of hills, the area was very hilly...
OK, the map explains quite well what the postcard shows....thanks. It now is obvious that the tracks at the front of the station would never have passenger traffic. But as the Division Headquarters, it's obvious the front would face the engine house, yardmaster's office, and other buildings with critical functions. Please excuse my ignorance about Wabash, but to my knowledge I've never set foot in Indiana. I believe I've gone through (operative word) Indiana only four times, and that was on the "Water Level Route", in '45, '46, and '47, when I was 10, 11, and 12. The photos you've been posting are a great education.
October 6, 1917, A troop train at the Wabash Railroad Depot taking men to military training camp. Coble collection
Largo Pike The Folks in "Lagro" might be suprised at the name of the road through their town just east of Wabash!
Roger, that's one heckuva mass of humanity. I'm sure they don't all expect to board that train. Hopefully they're just there to wave their boys Goobye.....:tb-shocked: The more views you show of that station, the more I realize that it's a very elaborate and complex building for a Division Headquarters. Of course back in the late 1800's, labor was cheap and buildings that housed important functions and people were designed to look important, and railroads certainly were important back then.....:tb-cool: Thanks again for posting from your wonderful collection of photos....:thumbs_up:
