KNIGHTSTOWN, Ind. – The Carthage, Knightstown & Shirley Railroad has shut down, at least for now. The 5-mile line between Knightstown and Carthage is part of a former New York Central secondary line that ran south from Michigan to Louisville, Ky. The railroad hauled freight for a time, but once the former Pennsylvania Railroad Pittsburgh-Indianapolis line through Knightstown was abandoned, the short line was cut off from interchange.
According to an account in the Whitewater Valley Railroad newsletter, the line has been virtually a one-man operation, run by its owner, 79-year-old Tom Allison. Allison reportedly “was also engineer, ticket taker, concession stand operator, plus everything needed to maintain the railroad.” The railroad has a pair of 45-ton center cab diesel locomotives, a Long Island P54 commuter coach, a Santa Fe steel caboose, and a transfer caboose converted to an open car.
Although a sign on the Knightstown station door sarcastically blames President Obama, reports indicate that Allison felt he couldn’t operate the railroad any longer. The line is for sale, and may be revived if the right buyer is found.
