Wabash Railroad Overview

(Update: 1946 signalling technology)

Bill Molony posted
1898 map of the Wabash.
Robert Fiedler: 1888, while the WStL&P was being reorganized. Other Wabash lines were operated by the Wabash Western Ry, still noted as WStL&P on this map. Eventually the two United to form the Wabash RR.
Dennis DeBruler: I wonder when the 4th Division to Chicago was built.
Robert Fiedler: Dennis DeBruler Completed 1892-1893.

James Holzmeier -> Follow the Flag Wabash Railroad

Lance Erickson -> Follow the Flag Wabash Railroad

1 of 8 images posted by Kevin Piper

Coming to Chicago was almost an afterthought for the Wabash Railroad.  It operated in the mid-central United States, and served a large area, including track in the states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, and Missouri and the province of Ontario. Its primary connections included Chicago, Illinois; Kansas City, Missouri; Detroit, Michigan; Buffalo, New York; St. Louis, Missouri; and Toledo, Ohio.  The Wabash snuck into Chicagoland from Decatur, Illinois (and St. Louis), on a relatively quiet line from the southwest.  Today that route is abandoned beyond Manhattan and the remaining segment hosts Metra's Southwest Service.  

The Wabash had a fleet of passenger trains and several were streamliners. The named passenger trains were led by the six-car streamlined “Blue Bird,” which began in 1950 and had five dome cars in the consist, operating between Chicago's Dearborn Street Station and St. Louis. The Wabash's main freight advantage was a direct route from Kansas City to Detroit, without going through St. Louis or Chicago. Despite being merged into the Norfolk and Western (N&W) in 1964, the Wabash company continued to exist on paper until the N&W and Southern Railway merged into the Norfolk Southern (NS) in 1982.

Wabash's main Chicago yard was Landers on the city's southwest side.  It was converted to a train/truck terminal and is still in use by NS.

https://youtu.be/v2bMb2qi4uM

I didn't realize that the Wabash was one of the owners of the Ann Arbor Railroad.

Mid-Century Decatur posted two images with the comment:

August 1956 Wabash Industrial Development Brochure excerpts:

"Industries along the lines of a railroad are its life-blood. The Wabash maintains an Industrial Development Department equipped to help you with your expansion and location problems. Staffed with civil engineers, all railroad-trained and highly competent to work with you or your experts, the department offers a complete information and planning service on an impartial, confidential basis."

Brochure: John W. Barriger III National Railroad Library

Kevin Reynolds shared

Robert Warrick: The map includes the Ann Arbor Railroads subsidiary the Manistique & Lake Superior Railroad between Manistique, MI to Doty MI.

Larry Ellis Reed: Robert Warrick Not to mention the Ann Arbor's several ferry services across Lake Michigan.

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None of the above maps show the spur to Stroh, IN. They used to mine raw materials for making cement north of that town, so the spur was more important than the little town itself would imply. Nor do they show the 1889 merger shown below that got it to Pittsburgh.

William A. Shaffer posted
Wabash Conductor's Cash Fare Receipts
(Collection of William A. Shaffer)
Larry LeCrone Looks like Paul Resler was the conductor that trip.
William A. Shaffer Yes, I had him on several trips. He and I did not get along very well. He threatened to put me off the train at Litchfield going north one time. He purposely overcharged me and when I called his attention to the "mistake" he told me he was not going to cheat the railroad! He also told me that he and the railroad didn't want "us passengers" on the trains and that passenger trains were a burden on the N&W. The argument was on the point of becoming physical when he lunged toward me and I put up my fists. The porter grabbed me and Resler said he could put me off the train. I reminded him that I would be ten minutes behind him because I would get on the "Blue Bird" and catch up with him in Decatur, where I intended to go speak with the Superintendent, if he was available. He decided to stay away from me. I sent a letter to Passenger Services about the incident and about two weeks later got a letter from the Superintendent and a letter from Resler with change attached to it! He was the only "Foul Ball" Conducter I ever had on the N&W.

Digitally Zoomed

AbsoluteAstronomy
[This web site has a good history of the railroad.]