J. Craig Thorpe (American, B. 1948) "Indiana Locomotive" Signed lower left. Original Oil painting on Paper.

Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation.

This painting is the original which appeared on the Fleetwood Legendary Locomotives of the 50 States Indiana Commemorative Cover postmarked March 31, 1995.

"My first dream as a Hoosier boy was to ride away on the Monon toward the Heaven-piercing spires of Lafayette or Michigan City." Indiana humorist George Ade penned comments such as these to accompany the delightful cartoons of John T. McCutcheon that appeared on the elaborate menus used on the Chicago, Indianapolis & Louisville (CI&L or Monon) route. Its trains served Indiana as well as Kentucky and Illinois, yet its 618 miles of trackage were located entirely within the Hoosier State. Incorporated as the CI&L on March 31, 1897, "Indiana's own railroad" was a conglomeration of several lines. In 1911, the CI&L introduced the Hoosier Limited, which ran between Indianapolis and Chicago. The following year the Red Devil -- an all-sleeping-car train -- was created to carry passengers between the Windy City and the Indiana resort town of French Lick. Other special trains carried riders to the Kentucky Derby and the Indianapolis 500 Speedway races. Although ridership on the Monon remained strong for many decades, the predominance of the automobile and the advent of the interstate highway ultimately led to the demise of its passenger service in 1967. Shown here is CI&L's engine No. 301, pictured at Gosport, Indiana's unusual 1850-vintage station with its portal door for indoor freight-car unloading. This 4-4-2 type engine was built by the American Locomotive Company.

Image Size: 14 x 12 in.
Overall Size: 18 x 15 in.
Unframed.
(B14999)

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