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Indiana Eastern Railroad

Published: January 15, 2025

By: Adam Burns

The Indiana Eastern Railroad (reporting mark, IERR) is a short line that serves a critical function in the transportation of eastern Indiana and western Ohio.

It began operations in the mid-2000s, utilizing about 40 miles of the former Chesapeake & Ohio's Chicago main line between Richmond, Indiana and Fernald, Ohio.

It is a fascinating case study of how small rail operations play an integral role in local economies by facilitating the efficient movement of goods.

Indiana Eastern GP38-2 #5255 (ex-Southern) departs Cottage Grove, Indiana following its work at the CSX interchange on September 26, 2024. Doug Kroll photo.

Background

The Indiana Eastern was established in 2005, a division of the Respondek Railroad.  Its headquarters are situated in Liberty, Indiana while its primary interchange is with CSX at Cottage Grove, Indiana.

The railroad's local focus allows it to provide dedicated service to a range of industries that rely on rail freight solutions as essential parts of their supply chain.

The IERR operates approximately 40 miles of former segments of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway of Indiana (ex-Chicago, Cincinnati & Louisville), once part of the C&O's Chicago main line via Cincinnati.

Following Chessie System's creation in 1973 - the holding compay for the C&O, Baltimore & Ohio and Western Maryland - the new system had a multitude of duplicate lines.

This included dual lines to Chicago, the B&O via northern Ohio and the C&O via Cincinnati/Huntington.  In 1978, Chessie elected to shutter the C&O into downtown Cincinnati over Cheviot Hill during the construction of Queensgate Yard.

This resulted in trains rerouted to utilize the B&O's Indianapolis Subdivision through Hamilton before linking back up with the C&O at Cottage Grove.

While much of the remaining C&O through Indiana has since been abandoned, the  stretch between Cottage Grove and the Fernald Feed Materials Production Center survived into CSX.

The Class 1 subsequently leased out the line from Fernald to Richmond to the newly formed Indiana Eastern Railroad, which began service on August 29, 2005. 

The IERR handles a variety of cargo, including agricultural products (grain), chemicals, metals, and manufacturing goods

The line is notably utilized by the agricultural community, which relies on the railroad to transport grain and other agricultural commodities to broader markets.

Aside from its practical logistics function, the Indiana Eastern is a prime example of a successful private-sector effort to revitalize defunct rail infrastructure, thereby preserving a mode of transportation that is both historically significant and contemporarily relevant.

Its continued success hinges on efficient operations and adapting to the evolving needs of its clients in various industrial sectors.  Moreover, the railroad is evidence of the growing interest in rail transport as a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to long-haul trucking.

Rail is generally considered a more fuel-efficient means of moving large volumes of freight over land, which is increasingly attractive to companies looking to reduce their carbon footprint and transport-related emissions.

Diesel Roster

Indiana Eastern GP38-2 #5255 crosses the ex-C&O trestle at Okeana, Ohio on Sept. 26, 2024. Doug Kroll photo.

The Indiana Eastern is more than just a short line; it is a vital component of the local infrastructure that illustrates the importance of adaptable logistics solutions in regional economies.

It reflects the enduring legacy of rail transportation in America and signifies the potential for small-scale rail operations to succeed by focusing on niche markets and providing essential services tailored to local business needs. As such, the IERR continues to play an essential role in Indiana's and Ohio's industrial and economic landscape.