A day at Muncie, IN. - Trains Magazine
...G mack:
I'll try again....This afternoon I tried to post almost a full page of data I had typed. Just general info of the Muncie area and rail faning...but went to post it and got a screen of such and such N/A, etc....and it was lost. So we'll at least post a few of what I remember again. Hopefully.
NS line enters north side of Muncie and down into the city and past the former C&O Depot, now the beautiful Trail Head. Yes, it is open daily and has RR artifacts inside and Trail related info, etc. Stop and take a look.
Also if you care to check out 3 RR bridges, walk on our trail {north}, from the Depot just about a quarter mile. An abandoned {in the 70's}, 2 span thru girder bridge, formerly served the Pennsylvania RR.....The Ex. C&O bridge now carries the Trail across White River. 3rd bridge is to the right, upstream just several hundred feet and it carries the incoming from the north, NS current rail line.
This line loops around the east side of Muncie and back to the west then and crosses Walnut {where you were}, and heads to all points south. 3rd NS line comes in from the northwest, and is noted as the Frankfort line...That line crosses the double track {CSX}, just west of where you were on Walnut st. and joins the aforementioned north / south NS line.
The ex. NYC, Conrail and now CSX double track is east / west through Muncie and I agree has less traffic than when Conrail was the operator. I have no idea why.....It still sees a fair amount of traffic through here and perhaps you caught it on a several hour "dead time". Years ago as NYC, it supported 6 or so passenger trains through here before the birth of Amtrak. Our Union station was demolished perhaps 15 or so plus years ago and was located right at the Walnut st. crossing on the west side of the street and north side of the now CSX tracks. It served the Nickle Plate years ago that passed right on it's north side...That line now the NS.
An eating place suggestion would be Bruner's Family Restaurant on the west side of Muncie on Kilgore Ave. {Rt. 32}, at the intersection of Nickles Ave. Just ordinary food. In the distance one can see the Frankfort line entering from the northwest and as it crosses White River.
Another location would be stop at MacDonalds on South Tillotson Ave. and have a sandwich, etc....and park in their paved lot which is right along side of the incoming NS line from Frankfort.
Along the north edge of Muncie is east - west McGalliard {also rt. 332}, and it has many, many eating places along it....All types.
Triple Crown train {trailers on temp. boggies}, passes through Muncie daily to the south and I believe it normally would be through here roughly 11:00 am...but that can vary an hour or so...You will not find it unusual for it to have 2 6 axle engines pulling as many as 140 trailers....By the way, they are somewhat specially made to have the strength to do that job. They have a temp. boggie set of wheels between each trailer.
I would suggest the location at Walnut or pull into the paved parking lot at the Trail Depot at Wisor st. {Broadway crossing}, to wait for and watch it pass.
Dale: On question of a NS train running from Muncie to Indy....I have no knowledge of that occuring but really can't say for sure it doesn't. Can't say I have noted any train I thought might be it in recent years....but I do see some locals heading west out of Muncie on that line....Just can't be sure.
