Touring the Chicago, Indianapolis and Louisville

Train number six, The Thoroughbred, with two F3s has left the Louisville staging yard and is headed North. This kind of wide open scenery is what gives the Monon its down home appeal. At bridge E-8, F-unit number 81A encounters the first of many crossings of Clear Creek. Diamond Cut leads to the next crossing of Clear Creek. At this crossing, train six rumbles over the bridge on the South end of Diamond siding. The F-units pass a track that leads to two operating ports. In the foreground is an abandoned port. At the North end of Diamond siding, there is one final crossing of Clear Creek. This water tank is kept full by the pumping station at Clear Creek. The National Spur leads to the Woolery Mill and the Monon Stone Company. This part of the railroad is still under construction. At milepost 221, The Thoroughbred finds McDoel Yard South of Bloomington. This is one of four major yards on the Monon. The gray building is the yard office. At the South end of Bloomington, the F-units pass the Harlow's Lumber Company. As they cross Kirkwood Avenue, the multi-story Graham Hotel comes into view. It's apparent that the Figg Wholesale grocery has been here for a number of years. The F-units are now preparing to assault the 2.5% grade out of town. Pigeon Hill is the beginning of the grade up to Hunters. The units are working now. At Hunters, there's the Limestone Branch Line to several mills and quarries. At the North end of Hunter siding, train number six approaches the grade crossing at Woodyard Road. F-unit number 81A leads its consist through some typical Indiana scenery. Downtown Ellettsville has a small main street and Black Lumber Company in the foreground. Train six heads for North staging.