Semaphores & Street Running - CSX Hoosier Subdivision Part 1

During the fall of 2005, three to five trains were operating daily over the CSX Hoosier Subdivision in southern Indiana. This included CP run-through trains from the CP (later INRD) Lata Subdivision along with a plethora of Union Pacific equipment on CSX trains operating between St. Louis, MO & Louisville, KY. Despite the relatively low traffic level, the line drew railfans from across the country because of the scenery, long stretches of street running, and abundant semaphores. At the time of recording, this stretch of railroad had the largest collection of active semaphore signals in the eastern United States. Between Orleans & Salem, IN most of the signals were still upper quadrant semaphores installed by the Monon Railroad in the first two decades of the 20th century. Another draw for railfans to the Hoosier Sub was the long stretches of street running at each end in New Albany and Bedford. Only CP trains off the Lata sub traversed through Bedford but all traffic navigated the 10+ blocks of street running in New Albany. Shortly after this video was taken CP sold the Lata Sub to the Indiana Railroad. INRD continued operations until 2009 when traffic was routed off the south end and pulled up the rail north of Bedford. CSX ceased through traffic over the Hoosier Sub shortly thereafter. As of January 2012 only a small portion of the Hoosier sub was still in operation. A local operates from Louisville, KY to industries just north of New Albany. Another local operates off the CSX Indiana Sub from Mitchell to a plant in Bedford. The rest of the line has only been used for car storage. Though it's unlikely traffic will return between Mitchell & New Albany, perhaps the Hoosier sub and the semaphores that guard it will some day return to service. If you liked this video, be sure to check out part 2 here:    • Semaphores & Street Running - CSX Hoosier ...