The Trains of Lafayette

Producer: Les Jarrett

Locations: Lafayette area

Timeframe: 1994 – 2003

Length: 90 minutes

Sources: Les Jarrett, Greg Scholl, Warren Scholl, Terry Lewis

A contemporary look at Lafayette, Indiana, and surrounding locations. This is a well-known hotspot for Railfans.  Once renowned for street running, too. Some of that is included.

A single DVD. Main Menu includes a 1994 Flashback. On-screen graphics. Maps are included. On/ Off narration. Preview section.

Norfolk Southern and CSX are the class ones that have trackage now. Amtrak is present. Shortline service, as well. Some run through cameos by Union Pacific and BNSF.

Particular attention is paid to route heritage. Monon, Wabash, Nickel Plate Road, and New York Central ran through this part of the state. Added interest in viewing the variety of lines with historical details.

There was a line relocation in 1994. This bypassed the downtown street running. A new Passenger Station was also constructed for Amtrak riders.

The modern video is sharp. Clear narration. Live environmental audio. Some musical background.

To the Trains… 👉

A brief old black and white film. Warren Scholl filmed from aboard a New York Central passenger train in Lafayette from the 1950s. Gives some comparison to modern Lafayette.

The Amtrak Kentucky Cardinal stops at the new Lafayette Amtrak Station.

The mainline has high speed action. Plenty of ex: Conrail locomotives are in Norfolk Southern now.

A mixed bag of engines with a CSX train on former Monon.

CSX in 1994 has a chapter. This displays the former Monon route that ran down 5th Street. The long freights ran right through downtown. Norfolk Southern and Amtrak are also seen.

Lafayette Jct. has been reconfigured.  The old diamond crossings replaced by crossovers. A pedestrian overpass is a great place to film trains there.

NS and UP scamper passvthe Grain elevator at Buck Creek on a Westbound.

Former Southetn  high hood GP38 units await assignment at East Yard in Lafayette.

A spot where both railroads mainlines run parallel.

NS 9554 hauls a Triple Crown RoadRailer past the old Monon Coaling Tower on CSX.

At Frankfort. NS GP40 1386 is switching on ex: Nickel Plate Road tracks. Note the big Coaling Tower, still standing.

Many semaphores are highlighted operating in rural areas. This is on the old Monon. The CSX is the last freight on this line shown.

Kankakee, Beaverville, and Southern. Exiting former New York Central Rails. The pair of Electromotive geeps decorated in a Nickel Plate style livery. This is at Templeton. Numbers 1616 and 1606. This grain train travels to Lafayette Jct. Watch for surprises here.

After the sojourn to surrounding towns. We are back in Lafayette proper. Action at the old station is a fine closer.

The Trains of Lafayette

This is a comprehensive program on Lafayette, Indiana, and surrounding locations. Inclusion of older films adds perspective to the town.

Current class one carriers, CSX and Norfolk Southern are busy here. The narrative draws past and present together. Intriguing to have the depth of former railroads and even abandoned routes.

Well shot and smartly produced. Viewers may enjoy increased knowledge and a fine look at these lines.

Fans of CSX and Norfolk Southern should find this an excellent show.

Rating: 5 Stars