Step back in history and ride the Whitewater Railroad in Metamora Indiana. The train still operates from Connersville to Metamora offering passenger service between the two towns.
Life existed in this scenic valley for thousands of years. To the Native American Indians, the Whitewater Valley formed a natural trade route. Early settlers also found the area abundant in wildlife as well as plentiful fishing in the river.
Travel was hazardous in the early days , the only form of transportation was by dirt or mud roads along winding hilly terrain. That all changed in 1836 when the state of Indiana approved funds to build the Whitewater Canal from Lawrenceburg to Hagerstown.
Whitewater Valley Railroad
While improving the trade in the area, the canal was plagued from the beginning
by alternate years of flood and drought. Finally in the 1850s the canal was so damaged by a flood, the local residents petitioned the government to sell the right of way to the railroad.
The railroad continued to operate until the decline of the railways began in the mid 20th century.
Finally the Whitewater Valley Railroad was formed as a non profit in 1972 and for historical reasons began passenger service operations between Connersville and Brookville.
After a major washout in 1974 closed the tracks between Brookville and Metamora all that remains today is service between Connersville and Metamora.
Today the railroad operates passenger sightseeing service using diesel locomotives and open window coaches, and often a caboose, between Connersville and Metamora .
All Aboard!
While another train operates as the
Metamora Local, carrying passengers south on a 2-mile (3.2 km) excursion
along the restored canal, past the canal boat dock, a working aqueduct,
and a restored lock.
Video of Historic Metamora
Gary has been a writer/ photographer for over 20 years, specializing in nature,landscapes and studying native cultures.Besides visiting most of the United States, he has traveled to such places as Egypt,the Canary Islands,much of the Caribbean, and studied Mayan Cultures in Central America, and the Australian Aboriginal way of life.Photography has given him the opportunity to observe life in many different cultures!
He has published several books about the various cultures he has studied.
For more information and a link to his hard cover and Ebooks, please check his website.http://www.journeysthrulife.com
You can also follow him on your Kindle.
There is an extreme shortage of common sense in today’s world, When looking back in history, I soon discovered this has always been a problem, Benjamin Franklin once said, ”Of all the senses, common sense seems to be the one that is used the least.” As obvious as it may seem, many seem to be totally oblivious to it. Most, if not all of the problems the world faces today could be solved if people would just sit back and think about what would seem to be the most obvious and simple solution to any issue. Often times people tend to over complicate the issues. I often think back to what my parents and grandparents believed and said, at the time I thought they were totally out of their mind and ignored it. I now wish I would have listened and followed their advice. It is now evident they were a lot smarter than we gave them credit for. Many times, in today’s world, the schools and universities can no longer be counted on to teach truth and values that will guide someone through life.
Thinking Between the Lines 