Conrail's Marion Branch was the ex NYC Michigan Branch that ran from Elkhart, IN to Anderson, IN. This line was an important line to Conrail, enabling them to get automotive traffic from Michigan and Northern Indiana down to Indianapolis and Avon yard. The line from Elkhart to Marion, IN is signaled with PRR CPL signals, making this the only NYC line to have PRR signals(came from the PRR Richmond branch when PC rebuilt the Marion branch back in 1973 or 74). From Marion to Anderson the line was called the Dow Secondary and was dispatched by Form-D's. This branch was also home to Conrail's unique SD80MACs and later on the SD70MACs.
You can also view this gallery on an interactive map.
Conrail ELIN-8A with brand new BNSF 9842, 9692, and CR 6134 heads south at MP 81 on the Marion Branch bound for Indianapolis on May 28, 1998. This was a very rare occurence as the Marion Branch in its later years did not see very much foreign power on the point of its trains. Kevin Nelson photo with permission
Conrail ELIN with CR 1904 on the point changes crews at 15th st. before heading south for Indianapolis at CP-133 on the Marion Branch on Feb. 27, 1981. Kevin Nelson photo with permission
Conrail ELIN 7a heads south near MP-134 on the Marion Branch bound for Anderson, then onto to Indianapolis on Feb. 27, 1981. Kevin Nelson photo with permission
On the Conrail Marion Branch, a northbound rolls past a grain elavador at La Fontaine, IN with the CR 1946 on the point headed for Elkhart on May 2, 1981. Kevin Nelson photo with permission
CR 1946 leads a northbound through Marion for Elkhart on the Marion Branch on May 1, 1981. Kevin Nelson photo with permission
Conrail INEL-5B heads North through Anderson bound for Elkhart on the Marion Branch with CR 1995, a B23-7, on the point on May 5, 1987. Kevin Nelson photo with permission
A southbound ELIN with the CR 2529 on the point changes crews at 14th street on the Conrail Michigan Branch, which may have started to be called the Marion Branch by this time, July 12, 1981. Kevin Nelson photo with permission
Conrail 2716, a U23B, heads ELIN 2a toward Indianapolis on the Marion Branch just about to pass under the C&O trestle at Marion, IN on April 22, 1985. Kevin Nelson photo with permission
A train from Elkhart arrives at Goodman yard during the afternoon hours on a sunny December 19, 1979 with CR U30B 2880 leading it. Kevin Nelson photo with permission
A Conrail OCS heads south at MP-134 on the Marion Branch shortly after making a run north to here in Marion on a very warm and muggy and gloomy May 16, 1996. Kevin Nelson photo with permission
A Conrail OCS with the Exceutive E units doing the honors ran a Law Enforcement special from Indianapolis to Marion and return. On a foggy and humid spring Tuesday May 16, 1996, The OCS trains backs onto the Marion Branch from the Red Key just after running around their train to put the CR 4020 on the point for the trip back to Indianapolis. Kevin Nelson photo with permission.
An Office car Special heads north on Conrails Marion Branch bound for Goshen, IN near MP-143 just north of Fairmount on August 26, 1997. Kevin Nelson photo with permission
An Office car Special heads north on Conrails Marion Branch bound for Goshen, IN near MP-70 just north of Warsaw IN on August 26, 1997. Kevin Nelson photo with permission
In what still stands as the best photo I've ever taken, ELTR-0 is led by the class 80MAC 4100 and fellow MAC 4109, along with a pair of CR EMD's, on the Marion Branch at Anderson, IN on December 20, 1996
CR 4109 and 4108 leads southbound ELIN-7A across the diamond with the CSX ex B&O mainline at Milford Junction, IN on September 27, 1997.
CR 4120, 4127, 2 more CR EMD's, 6617, and a CSX EMD powers TREL-4 northbound on the Marion Branch just south of Milford, IN on April 14, 1997.
A pair of Conrail SD80MACs head south on the Marion Branch near MP-80 bound for Indianapolis under the symbol ELIN-2a on May 20, 1999. Kevin Nelson photo with permission
Here is a trailing shot of INEL-9 as it negotiates the short stretch of street running in Warsaw, IN on February 9, 1997. The tight quarters of street running is noticeable as you see how close the train is to that parked pickup truck on the side of the street.
CR SD80MACs 4127 and 4125 power INEL-9 northbound at Warsaw, IN on the Marion Branch February 9, 1997 as it enters the brief stretch of street running in town. The train has already crossed the diamond with the ex PRR Pittsburgh to Chicago line, which is only a 1/4 mile south of this location(the home signal for which is barely visibly behind the trailing engine in the shot).
Conrail ELIN-1A heads south decending the Wabash Hill near MP-58 on the Marion Branch on May 10, 1998. Kevin Nelson photo used with permission
INEL-2B heads north on the Marion Branch at CP-79 on May 12, 1998. Kevin Nelson photo used with permission
ELIN-7A heads south on the Conrail Marion Branch as they split through Rock Cut at the bottom of the Wabash Hill on May 17, 1998. Kevin Nelson photo with permission
CR 4144 and 4142 leads ELIN-7A across the diamond with the CSX ex B&O mainline at Milford Junction, IN on May 8, 1999. Chris Howe photo
INEL-8A heads north near CP-78 on the Conrail Marion Branch on May 28, 1998 with the CR 5087 leading a NS GE, UP EMD, and another CR EMD. Kevin Nelson photo with permission
A southbound ELIN-1A freight is headed up by CR 5615 and 2 other Conrail SD60I's bound for Indianapolis at Marion, IN on July 1, 1998. Kevin Nelson photo with permission
Conrail ELIN-1A pauses on the Red Key Main at 33rd St. in Marion, IN on June 1, 1987 waiting on a Northbound on the Marion Branch to pass. CR 6015 is just about 11 months old at this time. Kevin Nelson photo with permission
CR 6115 and a UP EMD leads INEL-8 north of Claypool, IN on July 18, 1997.
Conrail ELIN-6A heads east on the Red Key to set out and pick up some cars before backing out to the Marion Branch and heading south for Indianapolis on December 6, 1987. Kevin Nelson photo with permission
A Conrail ELIN-4A crosses the Mississinewa River at Marion, IN with CR 6577, a new C30-7A, on the point on Sept. 4, 1984. Kevin Nelson photo with permission.
A Conrail southbound ELIN-2a is headed up with CR 6605, a C30-7, 6th unit of there first order of 10 on the Marion Branch at MP-134 on March 12, 1985. Kevin Nelson photo with permission
