Postcard photo of the Monon train The Hoosier leaving Dearborn Station in Chicago for Indianapolis. Click to enlarge.
(Audio-Visual Designs, Earlton, NY, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)
HOOSIER
Not to be confused with the Hoosier State.
The Hoosier was a passenger train operated by the Chicago, Indianapolis and Louisville Railway (Monon) between Chicago, Illinois and Indianapolis, Indiana. It operated from 1911 to 1959. A Hoosier is a resident of the state of Indiana.
The Monon Railroad's The Hoosier club car, 1940.
(Monon Railroad, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)
History
The train was inaugurated in 1911 as the Hoosier Limited and was intended as the premier service of the Monon Railroad. New Barney and Smith cars were acquired for the service. In April 1914 the trains name was shortened to simply the Hoosier. The train's consist featured an elaborate dining car and observation car. Unique among the Monon's passenger trains, the Hoosier retained its name through World War I.
Twice-daily service was suspended through World War II, but was restored in 1946. The service was streamlined starting on August 17, 1947, with full conversion completed that November. Due to competition from automobile and highway use in the 1950s, passenger numbers began to decline. Dining car service was gradually reduced and then finally eliminated in 1957.
In 1958, the railroad petitioned the Indiana Public Service Commission to discontinue its passenger trains. The Hoosier made its final run April 9, 1959 with little fanfare. The Monon considered reviving the service in 1964, but this did not come to pass.
Amtrak began operating their Hoosier State service between Chicago and Indianapolis in 1980, partially on former Monon tracks.
Postcard depiction the Hoosier crossing the Wabash River at Delphi, Indiana. Click to enlarge.
(Monon Railroad, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)
Overview
Service type: Inter-city rail
Status: Discontinued
Locale: Midwestern United States
Predecessor: Chicago Limited
First service: August 27, 1911
Last service: April 9, 1959
Successor: Hoosier State
Former operator: Monon Railroad
Route Termini: Chicago, Illinois / Indianapolis, Indiana
Service frequency: Twice daily