Despite the huge amount of interest in railroads, this is the first complete description and history of the railroads of Indiana from the first line, completed in 1838, up to the present. Simons and Parker follow Indiana's railroads through five distinct eras - 1830 to 1860, 1860 to 1900, 1900 to 1930, 1930 to 1960, and 1960 to 1996. The broad themes of Indiana railroad history are sketched within the framework of these periods. In addition, there is a brief synopsis of each railroad system, tracing its corporate and physical growth and evolution. A third section is devoted to commonalities among the various railroads, focusing on services, facilities, personalities, and accidents.

Railroads have played a major role in transportation, logistics and development in the state of Indiana. A perfect resource for railroad enthusiasts or students of Indiana history, Indiana Railroad Lines provides a comprehensive and detailed account of the railroad companies that operated in the state between 1838 and 1999 and the counties and towns they served. This volume provides the dates of the contraction, purchase, sale, lease and abandonment of the various railroad lines and is complete with charts and maps that provide information on the development and decline of railroads in the state.