The CCC&StL was newly formed when this photo was taken. To the right is a new 4-6-0 built by Brooks switching the yard near downtown Anderson. The smoke and blur of the drivers indicate that it is backing. The structure to the right is the new Big Four Freight House between Jackson Street and Meridian. Over the top of it can be seen a water tower. That was later moved North of the track to the Northwest corner of Central Avenue. On the left is the new 1887 Big Four Station. Note that there are no buildings to the left of the station. They hadn't been built yet. Photo from the Madison County Historical Society Collection.
Interesting trackwork. I didn't realize the double-slip switch was common in the late 1800's. For no good reason, I thought it was a later design.
And by the 50s it was different. It was a yard with switching back at the turning of the last century, and this photo just shows some of it.
