MERRY CHRISTMAS
and a
HAPPY, HAPPY NEW YEAR
The Madison County Historical Society will be CLOSED from December 15, 2023 to January 3, 2024.
Please visit us during our "FAMILY DAY at the MUSEUM" on December 30, 2023. You will be able to see and "play" with the model trains then.
For more information on model railroading, please contact Roger Hensley at the History Center at 765-683-0052.
The History Museum is located on the corner of West 11th and Meridian Streets, downtown Anderson, Indiana.
This is another free exhibit so come one and all, especially bring the children! You will not be disappointed.
FOR MORE TRAIN PHOTOS go here.
Model Trains On Exhibit
On exhibit is a replica of a 1/4 scale model of the Baker Valve Gear ready to operate on a New York Central Railroad steam locomotive. This is a large wooden setup built by Maurice Lewman, a retired engineer.
Also on display for viewing is an HO, On30, O Scale Traction, O-27 Gauge(Lionel), N Scale, S gauge American Flyer layouts, and an HO Ringling Brothers and Barnum, and Bailey 1946 HO scale circus train.
INDIANAPOLIS & BELLEFONTAINE RAILROAD COMPANY
The railroad line was planned to pass through Pendleton and elsewhere in Madison County, which most citizens were in favor of the construction. In June 1894, the county commissioners voted to subscribe $16,000 for stock in the railroad company. This was paid for in four equal installments and spent within the county. O. H. Smith served as the I&B Railroad Company president at the time.
In 1852, the I&B was completed on east through Madison County and on to Bellefontaine then to Cleveland, Ohio, known as the Bee Line. The old I&B became a part of the New York Central Line of the Big Four System. Regular mail service was accomplished with the establishment of the railroad.
In 1853, the completion of the telegraph lines along the railroad right of way changed communication and growth with Anderson and Pendleton booming in trade and business.