By Jerry Curry, Staff Writer
Work continues on the 62.3-mile long Monon Trail, and there was a ribbon cutting for the Orleans Trailhead on December 19. Not only is this the first finished trail head, but it will be the longest trail in Indiana running from Orleans, through Borden, and then on to New Albany. The trailhead in Salem will start at South Main St. and W. Short Street behind El Camino’s restaurant. This trailhead will be marked with a vintage 40 ft. boxcar. The boxcar is one of the last remnants of Salem in the 1970’s.
The story goes that the boxcar was essentially out of sight and out of mind behind the hardware store. After the rails were removed, it was stuck where it sat. A call was made to the railroad office and immediately a quick claim deal was made, and it sold for one dollar. Radius of Indiana, an economic development in southern Indiana, took charge. It was estimated that it would take $50,000 to restore the weather-beaten rusty car, but thankfully they received a matching grant from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority “CreatINg Places” program.
First, Radius had to raise $25,000. One of the largest contributors, who was also fundamental in the effort to save the West Baden Dome, was The Cook Group. The next step was locating a contractor. Through verbal recommendation by Stephanie Vines, Greg Suvak was chosen for the position. He is owner of Suvak Engineering in Salem, and his company built the outside John Hay amphitheater in Salem.
They had to pull the boxcar out of the bushes and clean it up after it had been previously occupied by homeless individuals. It was power washed and steam cleaned twice after the homeless moved in once again.
First the exterior had to be sandblasted. The lettering was traced to preserve the original design after a search was made for the original lettering stencil but was not found. The tracing was then given to Zink Signs for a vinyl reproduction. Lots of metal had to be replaced from the floor to the roof, but any original lettering inside the car was preserved.
Jeff Quyles of Radius was in charge of the project along with the input of Stephanie Vines. At the time, Vines was the office manager at Washington Co. Historical Society at the John Hay Depot Museum located at 206 S College Ave. Cecil Smith was a heavy contributor to the museum and influenced Vines. His train set from his basement along with other items are at the Depot.
The boxcar is now painted a bright blue and adorned with the “L&N” logo, but it’s not yet been decided what to do with the interior. In front of the box car will be a statue of four children. This idea came from Quyles’ childhood memories of a book called “Boxcar Children” he had read. It’s a story about four orphans that found a box car and made it their home. Later their grandfather who was thought to be mean took them in. The children soon discovered he was anything but mean, and had the boxcar moved to his backyard for the children to enjoy. The book went on to sell 80 million copies and became a series.
The Salem trailhead is tentatively set to be finished in April or May of 2025. Quyles said “We wanted a place close to the square and the surrounding businesses.” Max Construction out of New Albany is the chief contractor for building the trail with crushed aggregate and asphalt. Temple and Temple is building the trailhead restrooms, parking areas, shaded areas and signs. The trail is not open now, but the main rule will be no motorized vehicles and no horses. Wheelchairs, bicycles, e-bike (20 mph speed limit), inline skates and skateboards on paved areas will be permitted.
Before too long, this trailhead, marked by the big, blue and historic “L&N” boxcar, will be ready and open for community enjoyment.
