IN Hi-Rail 221 (1957 EMD SW1200)
ex-B&O 9621 at Sexton IN
Indiana Hi-Rail Corporation (reporting mark IHRC) was a railroad which operated lines in the U.S. states of Indiana, Illinois and Ohio. It ceased operations after it was declared bankrupt in 1997.
The IHRC began in the early 1980s acquiring a short, ex-New York Central branch in eastern Indiana. The railroad quickly became a railfan favorite for its large roster of Alco road-switchers, an oddity even for the 1980s. From that point the road grew rapidly until within a few years it owned or operated more than 400 miles of track spread out across four states; Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio. While a large system the IHRC relied heavily on agriculture and its lines were spread thin with customers. Additionally, the railroad predominantly inherited poorly maintained routes that had not seen significant track work for decades. Today, some of its lines are still in use although many were simply ripped up.
IN Hi-Rail 221 (1957 EMD SW1200)
ex-B&O 9621 at Sexton IN
Indiana Hi-Rail Corporation (reporting mark IHRC) was a railroad which operated lines in the U.S. states of Indiana, Illinois and Ohio. It ceased operations after it was declared bankrupt in 1997.
The IHRC began in the early 1980s acquiring a short, ex-New York Central branch in eastern Indiana. The railroad quickly became a railfan favorite for its large roster of Alco road-switchers, an oddity even for the 1980s. From that point the road grew rapidly until within a few years it owned or operated more than 400 miles of track spread out across four states; Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio. While a large system the IHRC relied heavily on agriculture and its lines were spread thin with customers. Additionally, the railroad predominantly inherited poorly maintained routes that had not seen significant track work for decades. Today, some of its lines are still in use although many were simply ripped up.