Indiana’s First Railroad

NARRATOR: This Indiana Bicentennial minute is made possible by the Indiana Historical Society and the law firm of Krieg DeVault.

Images of steam trains and railroads are shown.

PAULEY: It’s no exaggeration to say building Indiana’s first railroad was an uphill battle. From near the Ohio River in Madison, the track rose over 400 feet in just over a mile, the steepest track in the country. In 1841, no engine was strong enough to make the climb, so horses pulled the cars up the incline for 27 years until one of the world’s most powerful locomotives, the Reuben Wells was built.

Images of the Reuben Wells locomotive is shown. The images of Indianapolis’ first Union Station is shown, and then images of the second Union Station is shown.

PAULEY: The track reached Indianapolis in 1847, where 6 years later the nation’s first Union Station was opened. A single terminal used by all competing railroads to simplify connections. A new Union Station was finished in 1888 and still stands today. I’m Jane Pauley with this Indiana Bicentennial Minute.

NARRATOR: Made possible by the Indiana Historical Society and the law firm of Krieg DeVault.