Several former Monon Railroad employees visited Salem and the new Monon South Trail

As part of the tour, “then and now” photos were distributed and identified locations of the trail where the photos were taken approximately 75 years earlier.

SALEM, Ind. (Oct. 27, 2025) — The Monon Railroad Historical-Technical Society, Incorporated (MRHTS) held its 50th Annual Convention and Business Meeting at the Depot Museum in September. Several former Monon Railroad employees were in attendance for the event, which included a tour of the new Monon South Trail segment in Salem. 

The New Albany and Salem Railroad, which later became known as the Monon Railroad, originated from Salem, having been organized in 1847 by James Brooks and his associates with the intention to run a rail line all the way from New Albany to Lake Michigan. A few years later, in 1851, the first train arrived in Salem from New Albany. For over a century, the Monon Railroad was in operation until its eventual merge into the Louisville-Nashville (L&N) Railroad in 1971. 

“Our organization works to preserve the legacy of the Monon Railroad, sharing historical or technical information for those who are interested in it,” said Jim Craig, president of MRHTS. He continued, “There is no better way to gain insight about the history and influence of the Railroad than talking to those who actually helped operate it. At our Annual Meeting, we were honored to help reunite and hear from various former railroad employees— from those that worked for the line in 1948 all the way to those who worked for the line in 1971 until its eventual merger with the L&N.”

Of those that came to revisit the Monon Railroad, three notable former employees— Bob Schultz, Frank Van Bree and Rick Dreistadt— toured the new Monon South Trail segment in Salem, which runs on the corridor where the Monon Railroad once stood. In this way, they were able to revisit the familiar scenery of Salem along the rail corridor. 

Frank Van Bree (left) enjoyed the ride on the Monon south trail with Jim Craig, president of the MRHTS.  In his earlier career, Frank rode the rails in one of the Monon’s business cars from 1963 until the merger with the L&N in 1971.

Schultz, age 94, was hired on with the Monon Railroad in 1948. In his first role with the railroad, Schultz was a car-man, making repairs to freight cars. He later followed in his father’s footsteps and became an engineer for the Monon. 

Van Bree, age 85, worked for the railroad’s legal department starting in 1963. The youngest of the former Monon Railroad employees, Rick Dreistadt, age 79, started working as an agent/operator at the McDoel yards in Bloomington at age 15.

In its new era as a rails-to-trails recreational trail segment, the Monon South Trail is proud to be a landmark for generations to enjoy. While the old Monon Railroad has been closed for years, this new trail serves as a way for former railroad employees' children, grandchildren, and future generations to enjoy. Additionally, it educates trailgoers on the history of the Monon Railroad, having signage on the history and function of railroads.

To find more information on the Monon South Trail, including what sections are open to the public, visit mononsouth.com or follow the trail on Facebook. To read more about the history of the Monon Railroad, visit the MRHTS website at www.monon.org.