Almost Abandoned: Madison Railroad of Indiana

Learn more about the Madison Railroad here: www.madisonrai...
The original version of this film was published in September of 2018. The current version has been remastered and updated.
If you mention the City of Madison to residents of "The Hoosier State", they’ll tell you of its stunning beauty and rich history. Located in Jefferson County, Indiana - Madison is known for its presence on the mighty Ohio River. Founded in 1809 while Indiana was still just a territory, the easy access from the Ohio River and the Michigan Road allowed the city to grow and flourish. Madison would eventually become the busiest river town along the Ohio, surpassing even Cincinnati and Louisville in riverboat traffic prior to the 1850s.
In addition to the river’s influence in Madison’s early growth, the state’s first railroad arrived in 1836, further stimulating the local economy. Today, that very same railroad line, now owned and operated by the City of Madison Port Authority, continues to impact the local economy with first-class freight service between Madison and North Vernon, Indiana. It has been a long road of twists and turns for the Madison Railroad since her first day of operation in 1978, but 40 years later she’s a survivor and this - is her story.
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[@wadepenley7380]

If I had to watch delay in block production without this young man's Yankee voice I wouldn't be able to watch it again. For almost three years I've watched this channel and I don't do well with change. I love DIB! God bless you and your channel.

[@cadenmcmexican7999]

It’s amazing seeing an underdog story, especially when it comes to a railroad that fought to get where it’s at. Another amazing video Drayton. I just want to let you know that You, Danny, Rowan, and all the other railfans of KZbin are all inspirations to me and have pushed me to try and have Land of Tomorrow Productions pumping videos out for this year. In fact I’m writing a script for one of the videos with this video playing in the background. Thank you all so much at Delay in Block for everything you all do.

[@CincinnatiSouthernProductions]

Yes it is, I can’t wait to help get Land of Tomorrow Productions up and going!

[@RailfanRowan]

Appreciate the compliment man, thanks for watching all of us!!! - RfR

[@patricknoveski6409]

Survivors are the best stories for our nation. True grit, and a cashed check helped save not only a R.R. , but a community. Great story. 👍

[@richardprice5978]

seeing this makes me wonder how much american board room greed ties into this, 20 years of no real money or maintenance wow ofise as to why the rails and rolling stock was junky and it kanda sounds like PRR was hoping that it was too big to fail aka GMC or the banks bankruptcy ballout mind set

[@paulschedler]

What a great story this video tells us of Hoosier persistence and tenacity to succeed! I have a few memories of Madison, and the one I'll never forget is when my rock band from Terre Haute played there in a club, quite long ago now. What I remember is the awesome welcome we received! You treated us like true Rock stars! I consider myself a Hoosier since I grew up in Indiana, having moved in to Terre Haute on my 4th b'day. The trains were a constant thing there, and I love trains to this day. The many years I lived in our great state gives me pride, and this video makes me more proud! Thanks for giving me a great history lesson of Madison, it's a wonderful one!

[@pmxproductions2037]

You keep outdoing yourself at Delay in Block! I really admire how this is a PBS/History Channel worthy documentary of not only the railroad but the county and town itself. Your research is so thorough. Excellent interviews. Superb editing with great B-roll footage. Great collection of period photos and video. And of course your videography is superb. A+

[@DelayInBlockProductions]

Thank you so much.

[@jp-um2fr]

It is very difficult to understand why so many lines in the UK are now run by volantary fanatics - it's the only word that fits. We are even building new steam engines. My mate has a small shunting engine he is slowly bringing back to life in his front garden. He's mad of course. Beeching in 1963 closed many lines, many of which have been saved. Very few are used commercially but nevertheless fully booked for day excursions. We must be mad, but in a nice way. Superb video of faith in the iron rail, well done all of you. A credit to America in difficult times.

[@johnsalomone5101]

Absolutely it's ok to have love for trains,& nice layouts too, & train meets,,great hobby,,== but watch out for the ((weird =0s that were the (toy-kids, apparel pin strip black & gray engineer hats,& blowing through a) (wooden block whistle =that matches there head creepy,,snow Flakes.adults,)) it's for kids perfect looking for Thomas,,

[@eugenetswong]

Hello from Canada! Wow! This is so encouraging. I'm so happy for you all. I wish you the best of success. I hope that we can do this up here.

[@Milepost1965]

Gladiators, fearless and paved the way to success, i salute you!!

[@wavesnbikes]

Kathy and her team are true short line defenders. Kudos to them! 👏

[@jenniferbutcher8393]

Congrats to Madison!! Way to fight to keep your dream alive!! The story of the acquisition from the previous railroad had me on the edge of my seat. The good guys definitely won!!

[@bannapolishugh7200]

A very well done story about folks in the heart of America! Thanks for sharing their great history and vision.

[@TheCheffydave]

WOW! What a History lesson, that has a happy ending, VERY WELL DONE! You’ve found your niche! So proud of you!!

[@lukebell5670]

I live in seymour and am there often I have walked down all those tracks it’s so cool to see a video on it i love your vids keep in up

[@jeremypreece870]

Hello from the UK. That is a really amazing and uplifting story of local commitment and investment. What struck me is that companies who don't even use the railway, located here because of the rail service, so that they could have a back up. What a boost to the local economy! Too often spreadsheet management looks at each individual component (railway branch or spur) and judges whether it is profitable in its own right. That way, no one sees the result of rail closures to the bigger picture. As the old saying goes, "They know the price of everything but the value of nothing". Madison, on the other hand, is a shining example of what people with vision can achieve.

[@charlesnelson268]

DIB, one of your best productions ever!!! A true underdog story!!!! I love these. Keep em coming!!!

[@palaver40]

The production values, especially the drone work and editing, just get better and better.

[@bradfordthompson8326]

Nice Video this is my 10th time watching this Shortlines are exciting 😀😄

[@frederickwillis9164]

A great report. So good to see a rail operation that was not abandoned.

[@davidpulaski5628]

What an excellent, professionally videoed and narrated story , unequivocally a feel good feature of "the little RR that could." Exceptional interviews stand out also. I had to subscribe ! Nothing is as efficient as steel wheels on steel rails. Keep safe and keep those rails shiny. 👋👌👍🚂🚃🚃🚃

[@garykuipers2696]

The short line operations are the viable way to go for the smaller consignees. The mega merger carriers aren't interested in old time thinking in terms of it takes a lot of small potatoes to make a large pot of mashed potatoes. I was employed by class 1 carriers and boomed with 3 short line carriers when things were slow with ConRail. I enjoyed the short line ops much more since service was the goal to retaining continued business. I finished my career with a commuter rail operation, put in 43 years of railroad service. I certainly enjoyed the history of the Madison Railroad and enjoy your other videos as well.

[@TonyTitleGuy]

Very concise and interesting history of this short line. Thank you.

[@DelayInBlockProductions]

Glad you liked it!

[@icsedge1]

Love this story. Well done Madison RR

[@lzappa9109]

10/10! A brilliant effort by everyone. Inspiritional.

[@punchfisttop]

Great documentary!

[@MartinMiller1]

A delightful and very uplifting story. Every good wish to the Madison Railroad from across the pond!

[@williamh.jarvis6795]

I really enjoyed watching the "harmonic roll" of some of the railroad's freight cars, during the Penn Central Transportation days, somewhere within the middle of this video. Of course, any "harmonic rolling" is dangerous and, will lead to derailments. Great video of yours here. In this video here, around 27 minutes in, you show the railroad crossing a multiple span beam bridge. Sometimes one can tell that the previous structure was some sort of truss bridge by looking at the stonework in the abutments. Upon being replaced one can see the added concrete risers installed on the abutments, and the modern looking concrete bridge piers, so to support the replacement support beams.

[@golden.lights.twinkle2329]

Great success story! Their employees are their greatest asset.

[@John-wd5om]

Cheers for another great video Drayton 😄

[@TomYoureDoingItWrong]

My Uncle, Bob Frederick, Sr., was a fireman on a train that ran away coming down the hill during his early years on the Pennsylvania Railroad. My recollection is that after that wreck, they had to pick up empty cars at the top of the hill to equal the number of loads descending in order to maintain a low number of tons per operating brake on the train. I think the crew riding the caboose perished in the wreck.

[@bruceritchie3874]

What a great story. Very well produced program - thank you

[@cws-st6mc]

Hello from Philadelphia Pa! Well done! The video is top notch and the success of this RR is absolutely great. I love it. Best wishes to you,there and employees. Again- well done all.

[@RailfanRowan]

Drayton, your videos are always incredible and I have watched your growth for the better part of the last decade and have taken inspiration from you. Congratulations on 100K man, that's huge!! Be sure to show us all the Play Button when it arrives!!

[@DelayInBlockProductions]

Rowan, thank you so much for one of the nicest comments I’ve received so far. I really appreciate your support and enjoy your videos as well. Keep up the great work! -Drayton

[@billdavis9612]

In the early 1980's I was working with Kentucky newspapers at the University of Kentucky and I sent Madison Courier columnist George Miller an article from a local Kentucky newspaper (Somerset, maybe?) . The article mentioned a RR engine that had been acquired that formerly had worked the incline at Madison, Indiana.

[@larryreynolds8580]

What a great historical documentary. Thank you very much D.I.B 👍 You have outdone yourselves on this one, Truly well done.

[@pacificwarrior7679]

Awesome video. Still eagerly awaiting the video on Tennessee Pass.

[@ronaldunderwood4353]

I like that little railroad, you talk with the people directly, that's a good thing, good luck in all your endeavors 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@davidkimmel4216]

Very very interesting video. Thank You

[@kenmorgan2993]

what a story i love these railway success stories congratulations

[@Dimythios]

THIS is forward thinking. Good for you!

[@chtyan]

Great story! Very well done. Love to see this kind of outcome.

[@givingisbetterthantaking..829]

Love to see that caboose! Like a piece of the past. Hello from NC.

[@railfanningthesoutheast8318]

Thanks for another great video!

[@johnsmart964]

What can one say but a fantastic video presentation, a very impressive railway, a very impressive city in having a 'can do' attitude. One wonders how many other branch lines could have continued had there been those with this most marvellous attitude behind them. The important point that comes out of this is that the railroad is so much more than the track and rolling stock but it it is all the people behind it, this, you brought out in a very real sense through this magnificent presentation. Very impressive.

[@donaldfaris4798]

Good Job Drayton really enjoyed this!

[@SigEpVet]

Excellent story, and wonderful videography! Thanks for sharing!

[@renegadetenor]

Well done, sir. You continue to do amazing work. Only a handful of folks like yourself are worthy of garnering the kind of attention your documenties (is that a word?) are willing give you. I first discovered this RR while exploring in 1991. All I was able to figure out at that time is it was ex-PRR, and apparently operable. I've been fascinated ever since. Thanks for sharing!

[@johnathansimmonds9388]

Absolutely stunning video. Well done

[@OregonCrow]

What an incredible video, thank you so much for this!

[@richardpeters7136]

Absolute outstanding video!!

[@mattskustomkreations]

We used to visit Madison during the Madison Regatta. Beautiful town. Wild boat race.

[@ericzerkle5214]

Ive been down there. Madison is one of my favorite towns. The grade is something to see ion person! Its crazy steep!!

[@earllutz2663]

I always enjoy your videos. This one about This Madison Railroad, was very well done, & very informative and enjoyable. Thank you again.

[@macmikey]

I really like your story telling. Thanks!

[@martinmax1589]

Wow! I really enjoyed this story! Really a great story of success!

[@rondeese9095]

Very nicely done as always. Good story, good video, and you should do these all the time, oh wait...

[@doublediamondrailroad5949]

Throughly enjoyed this! What a History and Perseverance by a forward looking bunch of Founders!

[@mattskustomkreations]

For railfans that also dig canal history, The Town of Metamora, not too far from Madison, has an active canal boat you can ride on. Plus on old water-powered grain mill that is still in operation that you can tour.

[@robkrasinski6217]

There's also a tourist train from Connersville to Metamora that used to be steam powered, but is now diesel powered and they have several ex-Erie Stillwell heavyweight open window coaches and a few others. There is usually a layover at Metamora before the train heads back to Connersville. I was never there or even in the state of Indiana, but I know all about tourist railroads from books, brochures I collected over the years, and the internet.

[@mattskustomkreations]

@@robkrasinski6217 Cool. Never rode that but I did ride the West Baden to French Lick & back run. A notable place on the route: Larry Bird’s childhood home. It’s a diesel pusher, iirc.

[@AJKPenguin]

You ought to pair this, if you haven't already, with the Cincinnati Southern Railroad. Good stuff here, thank you for your thorough work.

[@stephensaasen8589]

What an interesting story. Many shortlines struggle to improve their infrastructure after the previous owner neglected maintenance. An interesting sidenote to the history of the incline: during the Penn Central days, those two special SD7 locomotives were sent back east to one of the major shops for some heavy maintenance. This was the first time they were sent out since the merger. Apparently, the locomotives were worked on by former New York Central employees who had no idea these two engines had special dynamic braking equipment also to handle the steep grade. Little did the Madison crew know when the engines were returned that the shop had bypassed all the special circuitry for those dynamic brakes because nobody told maintenance what it all was and they didn't know how to work on it. Needless to say, the first trip down the hill could have ended in disaster but didn't. The whole crew was horrifically surprised when the locomotives never transitioned to dynamic braking at slow speed like they were supposed to after cresting the hill. By the time the crew realized what was wrong, they applied the brakes, and the locked up wheels only turned the whole train into a bobsled. There was a superintendent that jumped the caboose as it sped downhill out of control and he suffered some broken bones. The rest of the crew rode the train to the bottom of the grade with only shot nerves as the train made it as fast as 40mph give or take before coming to a stop.

[@SouthCoastRailVideos]

Fantastic video telling the whole story of this railroad!

[@williamh.jarvis6795]

I have also viewed some of videos, most of them being about the restoration of railroads within South Central MA, including your Fall River and New Bedford projects, along with your Grafton and Upton Railroad, along with the Milford, MA reconnection. (It is here where locomotives are placed on both ends of a train, for its reverse move going southward to the Franklin, MA area.)

[@Texasdude987]

That was a great story thanks for sharing this video

[@FDNY8231]

Very nice documentary ... Really enjoyed it ...

[@roberttrains8696]

Good video Drayton a lot of History there and Good sound hey is Bob Shaw still around....thanks for sharing Robert

[@williamflowersrailfannerpr3808]

Beautiful video Drayton

[@skipssmn3754]

This is next level content. I feel lucky to have found this channel.

[@DelayInBlockProductions]

Thanks so much for watching.

[@Slushiebop]

Eyy i go by this place alot! Its amazing!

[@drakbar5957]

This railroad rocks!

[@richardbause2453]

Hat's off to Roger Furing and his team at the Madison Railroad on a great history video 📹 👏 of their achievements 👏. Another Cinderella comeback story of history of top notch pride of great accomplishments!

[@action_jackson_reactions2812]

Great video!!! Would you ever consider doing a video over an abandoned rail line near me that used to be busy but when it was sold, it was abandoned.

[@geodeuce]

Which rail line was this?

[@action_jackson_reactions2812]

@@geodeuce Madison Railroad in Madison Indiana is the one in this video

[@geodeuce]

@@action_jackson_reactions2812 I am talking about which other rail line near you would you want them to feature

[@action_jackson_reactions2812]

@@geodeuce Former Conrail line near Shelbyville Indiana (Shelbyville is considered subdivision 2) where it connects to a line owned by Genesee and Wyoming. It is called Central Railroad of Indiana (CIND)

[@RRose-ie8oh]

On another point, it was stated that the steam locomotives run by the Pennsylvania Railroad always faced north and lead with their tenders going down the grade. But they didn't say why. The Madison grade was so steep that a conventional locomotive would have all the water in the boiler slosh forward and possibly expose the crown sheet of the firebox. This could weaken the firebox structure. When the water flowed back over the crown sheet, it would immediately flash to very high pressure steam causing a boiler explosion. In addition, the railroad cars were always in front of the locomotive so that if a coupler were to break, the cars could not roll down the hill.

[@DelayInBlockProductions]

Thank you for that clarification.

[@erikmcc804]

DIB, you have really outdone yourself, This was amazing, thank you so much, I hope one day you can do a spot on CSX B and O St Louis line , they have mothballed this once busy branch. thanks again

[@scotabot7826]

Top, Top production here!!!!

[@dgwachtel]

Great story and documentary, thoroughly enjoyable. Well done "Delay In Block Productions". -dave

[@thewestpointrouteguy8611]

Excellent.....first class !

[@25mfd]

i swear every inch of penn central looked like FRA excepted track... that stuff looked SCARY

[@KTrain20]

This one amazing story keep up the great work

[@Galaxy2517]

The unity and the optimism is nothing short of inspiring.The main obstacle now are the egregiously high fuel prices which all of us are paying.

[@lifeindetale]

Bless that order gentleman for being very proud of his community.

[@Bhil3]

Wow, what a great video.

[@osrr6422]

26:30 Sounds like someone inconspicuously made an "oops did I do that?". We'll probably never know.

[@bobgallo3775]

How refreshing, what a stark contrast to the rr in New York.state. The county owned the right of way, a trail group convinced the county to pull the plug on the rr. Hats off to you folks.

[@richardbause2453]

Thank you, Adirondack Scenic Railroad.

[@AllThingsRailroad]

Love your vids!

[@DDavis-co9ck]

I like all your videos but, I miss your live broadcasts. I hope you get them started again soon.

[@robertweldon7909]

We here in the north central part of Georgia have a short line railroad that has a somewhat similar history, The Georgia Northeastern. It was slated for abandonent by CSX when it decided that interstate freight movement was more important. That would have left a number of rail dependent industries high and dry. so, the Georgia Northeastern was formed nd took over similar track, lack of facilities, etc. This story and ours here in Georgia shows, if you really work hard the result is always good. ;-)

[@peteblack7052]

ever just watch something on youtube that actually improves your view of humanity? this was that video. cant imagine the red tape and bs these folks have been through to make this thing work but im glad they did. great story. thanks everyone.

[@Thisisquitestupidinnit]

Oh my god, a video about my hometown with over 10k views

[@vicodumb]

The brain trust at Penn Central lost themselves a cool 300 grand by trying to shake down the city of Madison. Justice served. Great video BTW. Thank you.

[@OddsandEnds]

Thank God it's still operating

[@Gitbizy]

Very interesting video. Sad to hear the incline hasn’t been used since 1992. Wish that was still running.

[@RFMCabooseNP1713]

Great video.

[@rb032682]

Well done! @MadisonRailroad 👍🖖

[@jwrailve3615]

If I ever hit the lottery Or suddenly inherited a billion I’m pretty sure there’s a couple long lost abandoned branch or industrial lines in mind I’d revive specifically to help small businesses and possibly bring in privatized passenger commuter transportation.

[@cartman00122]

I would support you by being there and utilizing the road. I wish I could take a train to traverse city, or even manistee

[@joepincombe66]

Great story yet what a shame for the incline and rock wall section being out of service

[@Michael-gx5os]

Accidentally thumbs-downed the video going for the thumbs up! Hopefully I undid it! Always love the insight, history, and footage! Great stuff thanks for the video!

[@brianrosenberger6515]

I born and grew up in the North Vernon / Madison area and have many fond memories I remember driving from Vevay with mt=y Grandparents to watch a restored Steam Engine that came through town.

[@RUOKH]

Fascinating presentation. But, if the 'incline' is no longer in service, how do train get from Madison to North Vernon? A diagrammatical map of the operational rail network would have been helpful, especially for those (like me) who do not know the area. I live in the UK! Thank you and good luck Madison Railroad.

[@PJRayment]

I looked it up on Google Earth. The incline is at the very south end (with North Vernon at the northern end). The line operates from the north end of the incline in Madison, to North Vernon.

[@HRaeN]

No need to use the incline to get to North Vernon. The photo at 29:10 is at the top of the incline. The incline is part of a hiking trail now. My daughter and I hike it often.

[@RailPreserver2K]

3634 would be a great heritage engine or display engine for the town later on (much later hopefully)

[@Clavichordist]

Very well done and I'm glad to see this railroad rise up from the ashes just like the might Phoenix! The sad part though is what the Penn Central did to this line and so much more, and what Conrail did afterwards to the rest of the system that was basically Penn Central with extra money to destroy competition. The same management that killed the Penn Central went on to run Guilford Transportation and destroyed the B&M, MEC, and D&H in the process. Just like the PC, they too had many standing derailments and other disasters on the branch lines as they discouraged business on the branches in favor of their mainline operations.

[@davebackus913]

Guilford Transportation became Pan Am and then was sold off to CSX in June of this year. Guilford was terrible for Maine, they ripped up branch lines everywhere to sell the steel for scrap. A local business had to sue them to force them to provide service. later on, Guilford tried to take possession of said business' siding to sell it for scrap and the business once again had to sue (and won). I am glad they are gone but am not real optimistic that CSX will be more responsive.

[@Clavichordist]

@@davebackus913 Yup. The difference was a dark blue paint job and Fink Jr. running the show instead of daddy. Both Finks thought that anything over 10 mph was a bonus on their lines and took the big investment that NS had put into the west end and sank it into the ground. I remember that issue with the scrap dealer up in Maine, unless that was a different incident. In my area further south, they destroyed what was left of the fairly busy M&L branch, the Lowell Industrial track, and the service to Danvers and Peabody. In all cases, they let the track conditions go down so low that the run became so unreliable that the customers gave up. Once the customers were gone, they used that to rip up the lines. They didn't treat their locomotives much better with them running out of fuel and or catching fire. I agree with you on CSX. Maybe we'll be in for a surprise but I'm not getting my hopes up.

[@dylanhale7300]

Hey, are you also commentating on the SRO America GT races?

[@RailsOfTheMidwest]

Does anyone know if the tv crews footage still exits?

[@milfordweeks9994]

How about some updated LIRR, CSXT, IRR, CRI, CN, and NS stuff for IN. :)