Paoli And French Lick

7th Subdivision - French Lick Branch

Since Orleans had no servicing facilities for the train, the French Lick locals originated at Bedford. The French Lick Branch left the mainline at Orleans.

The French Lick Branch traces its beginning back to 1885. Originally organized as the Orleans, Paoli and Jasper Railway, the plan was to build a railroad from Orleans to the town of Jasper, about 50 miles away. Since the LNA&C passed through Orleans and on the OP&J's board were several LNA&C officials, it seemed a natural that a branch line was in the future.

The days of the OP&J were brief. Within a year the company was purchased by the LNA&C and renamed the Orleans, West Baden & French Lick Springs Railway. Several factors made this move attractive, including passengers, lumber, stone and coal. Also the resorts at French Lick and West Baden were just forming into well know resorts, becaue of the "Pluto Water". Beyond French Lick, towards Jasper lay field of bituminous coal.

By July 1988 the work on the OWB&FLS had begun. The line was completed to French Lick in the summer of 1887 and service began in August. The OWB&FLS was marked with a number of small trestles, grades of 1.76% and one dominate feature, a curving 1600 foot trestle over Lost River north of Paoli. The line was never completed south of French Lick. The Southern Railway completed the line and a connection with the Monon was complete in 1908.

French Lick Branch, end of line, 1986. Looking south along the former French Lick Branch. This location is about 150 yards south from where the photo below was taken, March 1986.

The spur leading into the Paoli Desk Company at Orleans. You are looking north along what was left of the mainline. Date is March 16, 1986. The plant had rail service until 1987 when the wye at Orleans and track were all taken up.

French Lick branch right of way, 2005. Left: This section of the right of way is south of Orleans at the County Road 575 crossing, looking north. Right: In this view you are looking south from the same location. -Images courtesy Justin Asbery-

Left: Looking north from the County Road 500 crossing south of Orleans. The mound which you may be able to make out is the remains of an old saw mill. Right: Looking south from the same location as the picture on the left. -Images courtesy Justin Asbery-

These pictures were taken along Lost River Road. Left: Looking north along the right of way. In the distance are some bridge abutments. Right: Looking south along the right of way from the same location. -Images courtesy Justin Asbery-

MP D 4.0 7th Subdivision

The former Monon French Lick Branch right of way, north of Paoli. Left: Looking railroad north up the old right of way about a half mile north of the Paoli Trestle. Right: Most of the right of way south towards the north abutment of the Paoli Trestle can be walked. Pictured about is looking down the right of way. It is hard to see in this image, but the trestle starts about 15-20 yards beyond this location. In winter it would be easier to see the end of the right of way.

Left: Looking south along the old right of way, at the end is the north abutment. Right: Looking back north along the old right of way. Last fall during the Monon Convention, Justin and I were able to walk down the line to where the fence is in the picture. This day Justin was able to get all the way to the north bridge abutment.

Left: Looking across the former Paoli Trestle. Justin is standing near the end of the right of way at the north abutment. Right: Another view of the Lost River valley, once spanned by the trestle. Great photos Justin.

Panoramic view of the location. One could only imagine what it would be like to cross this trestle.

The north bridge abutment.

Gusset plate and angle iron from steel trestle. The best guess I can come up with on this is that it was part of the bracing between the girders and not part of one of the towers.

M.P. D 7.6 - 7th Subdivision - PL

One could say Paoli gave birth to the entire state of Indiana. That is because in 1805 the initial pivot point was established just south of town to survey all the boundaries in Indiana. The first settlement of Orange County happened in Paoli’s Southeast Township. In 1807 John Hollowell settled on the Patoka River near the present-day community of Valeene. It was another four years before any other significant settlements moved across the county.

Just as Indiana became a state, Paoli got its name. In 1816 it was derived from Pasquale Paoli Ash, the 12-year-old son of North Carolina’s governor at the time, and shortly thereafter chosen as the seat of justice for the county. With its strong religious ties, in 1833-34 the people of Paoli were the first to petition the county board to stop issuing liquor licenses. The courthouse square is the heart of downtown Paoli and boasts the largest shopping district in the county. With newly renovated brick-lined sidewalks, attractive period lighting and park benches, the downtown has been placed on the national register for historic places.

-Courtesy Orange County, Indiana Website-

The original curved wooden trestle over Lost River north of Paoli. Date unknown. We do know that this picture was taken before 1904.

Left: Looking up the old 1887 right of way. You are looking north. Right: Another shot looking north along the 1887 right of way.

Left: Former 1887 Right of way north of wooden trestle, looking towards the north. Right: What remains of the wooden trestle's north bridge abutment.

Left: All around the general area of the north end of the old wooden bridge Justin found large quarried stones, which were supports for the woodent trestle bents. Right: Justin found what looks like an old quarry. Justin believes that this was once an old quarry where most of the stones for the abutments were cut. Here is an part of his journey..."I decided to hike over to the north abutment of the wooden trestle. I had to first find a way down the other side of the 1904 right of way. While the west side of the 1904 right of way was pretty much earth, the east side of the right of way was large pieces of cut limestone of various sizes. After salvaging one of the better spikes from the base of the 1904 north abutment, I crossed a fence on the other side and headed toward the 1887 right of way and the location of the old wooden trestle. I first came upon an old road. It looked more like an old logging trail. This road led down to the top rim of the old quarry, where I took the photo which you have posted. Then I continued walking east until I came across the stone footings that once supported the wooden trestle. Several stone had been removed, but the remaining ones were all in good shape, for being there 119 years. This is where I photographed the north abutment. I also then followed the old 1887 right of way and took the others pictures which you have posted. Hate to brag on about this but it sure was exciting!" - Justin Asbery BMIA Operative, May 17, 2006-

Left and Right: The south abutment of the wooden trestle north of Paoli, circa 2006. This structure is located east of the steel trestle pictured below.

Left: Looking up at the abutment. Justin Asbery advised that there are also many slabs where the trestle bents once were secured. Right: Looking railroad south along the old right of way, towards the relocated right of way.

The French Lick Branch had one tremendous structure, the Paoli Trestle. The original structure was a curved 1600 foot wooden trestle over Lost River just north of town. In 1904 it was replaced with a steel structure as part of a line relocation. Left: Wooden heavyweights cross the trestle, pulled by a 4-6-0 in 1916. Right: 1947 inspection train crossing the trestle with Business Car # 90 on the end.

May 2004. All that remains of the Paoli Trestle. Left: North bridge abutment. Right: South abutment. To appreciate what this structure once was, one must pay a visit to Paoli and see where it once spanned.

Chronicled as a passenger only line, the French Lick branch did provide a source of freight tonage as evidenced by this Monon freight crossing the trestle, date unknown.

Left: Consist of RS2's pulling local freight across the Paoli Trestle, 1970. Right: The year is 1961. Local freight southbound with FM #45 and #46 in the lead.

NEW 01-05-2008 Jim Craig sent me these photos of the demolition of the Paoli Trestle. Not much explanation is necessary. Building the trestle or tearing it down, it must have been a sight to behold. I envy those who got to see the bridge during the "days", or operate trains over this structure. It must have been an awesome experience.

Thanks to Jim for allowing me to add his great photos to this page.

Left: Looking south across the Paoli Trestle. From this angle it does not look that long. Right: November 1979. Looking along the old French Lick Branch right of way at Paolic Industries.

Left: The Paoli Trestle, circa 1970. Great shot of the trestle. Right: Part of the old mainline through Paoli, circa 2003. This part of the old right of way was behind what used to be the Cornwell Company. The cars in the picture are parked on the former mainline. The water tower pictured still displays the Cornwell name.

Odd motive power lash up at Paoli, circa 1963. By the time this photo was taken the Fairbanks-Morse H-15-44 #45 had been re-engined with an EMD power plant. Here it is pictured with BL2 #31 working the line in Paoli.

Backside of the Paoli Depot, circa early 1950's. Depot starting to show age.

Left and Right: Paoli Depot, October 1970. This view is looking at the depot from US 50. Right: October 1976. Another view of the Paoli depot.

Left: Still another view of the depot, circa 1969. Right: 1976 and the depot is looking really bad.

Standing on the former right of way south of the trestle. The tracks curved to the left and ran in front of the building which are there now. This location would be railroad north of the Paoli depot, which would have been behind me a little way.

Looking at the location of the Paoli Depot, circa 2005. The depot would have sat where the cars are parked. -Images courtesy Justin Asbery-

North of Paoli. Looking north along the former right of way. Highway 37 is to the left. If one was facing south there is a salvage yard that sits on the right of way.

North of Paoli. According to the Profile CD available from the Monon Railroad Historical-Techncial Society there was a small yard where the building is at. View is facing south towards Paoli.

Paoli 2005. Left: Looking along the right of way towards Braxtons. This part of the former right of way is located near a city park in Paoli. Right: In this photo you are looking back towards the former depot location. In the distance you can see parts of an old foundation to an old factory.

Left: Railroad south of Paoli. Looking towards French Lick along the former line just outside Paoli. The cinders that once held the ties can still be seen. Right: This, I believe, is Braxton. Looking railroad south along the former right of way.

MP D 8.6 7th Subdivision

Left: Not much remains at Braxton. In November of 1979, you are looking down the former right of way toward the south. Right: The Town of Braxton.

The former Franch Lick Branch right of way passes through the Wilstem Guest Ranch, between Braxton and Abydell. Thanks to General Manager Misty Weisensteiner for allowing Justin Asbery access to the old right of way passing through Ranch. Left: Looking west along the old right of way from the road leading back to the office. Today they use the right of way for a horse trail. Right: This photo shows a rock cut that the right of way went through. View is facing west towards French Lick.

NEW 05-09-2005 Left: This is the view from the end of Wilstem's property. Again, facing towards French Lick. Right: This is the view facing east towards Paoli from the road back to the office.

This photo shows an old stone underpass. French Lick would be to the left and Paoli would be to the right.

This is a close up of the ceiling of the underpass. Construction consisted of rail and limestone blocks. The rail was laid side by side where the line ran across the top. The rail was spaced further apart towards the outer edges about a foot.

MP D 13.1 7th Subdivision

Left: Bridge near Abbey Del. Picture taken in 1983. Right: This bridge is also near Abbey Dell, or so it is written on the back of the photograph. Taken November 1976. My sources in that neck of the woods advise that these bridges are about 3 miles east of Abbey Del.

Looking at the embankment east of the bridge at Abbey Del, January 2007.

Left: Looking at the south exposure of the bridge. Right: The north side of the bridge looking west.

Looking railroad south down the right of way near county roads 500 North and 150. The building pictured was built right on the right of way. At one time the road crossed over the tracks. Obviously the bridge was removed and filled in. You are looking towards West Baden and French Lick.

June 3, 1969. Monon wrecker #80003 and wreck train clean up the right of way between Abbey Del and French Lick.

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