New York Central Indiana Division, 1956, Part 1

It was well known among steam fans that the New York Central was running its last full steam operations in Indiana and Ohio in the late 1950s. Don Krofta made a series of trips to NYC’s Indiana Division in 1956-57 to film those last steam operations. Locations include Lafayette, Indiana to Kankakee, Illinois and then Cincinnati westward out of the Ohio River valley plus locations in the Cincinnati area.

Passenger trains had been dieselized prior to his visits so the action here is all steam powered freights. Beginning in the Lafayette area, L2 class 4-8-2s were providing most of the action with some trains boosted out of Lafayette by H class Mikados. There are chases of several freights including some excellent pacing sequences.

Turning to the Cincinnati area, L3 and L4 class 4-8-2s were handling most assignments with some L-2 class engines and some Mikados. Standard practice was to doublehead trains from either Riverside Yard or Valley Junction over the double tracked grade to Sunman, Indiana, where the helpers were cut off. Don captured several trains making these moves plus yard scenes in Cincinnati with 0-6-0s and 0-8-0s working out their last days.

We also get a few surprises, such as a N&W mallet at Ivorydale and some NKP Berkshires at Payne, Indiana. Don used a mix of B&W and color film, all 16mm film, and captured some spectacular scenes of steam at its best. Great sound too, much of it captured at the time by Jim Hawk, who accompanied Don on many of his trips.