Indiana History Train
The Indiana History Train sponsored by The Indiana Rail Road Company and Indiana Historical Society stopped at Switz City during October 19-21, 2006.
History Train at Switz City
My husband Keith and I visited the traveling exhibit on Saturday, October 21.
Visiting the Train
The history train, consisting of three former Amtrak cars, was 65 feet long and eight feet wide. The cars, which were covered with graffiti when Indiana Rail Road purchased them in 2004, were painted a vibrant red on the outside and white on the inside.
Three Train Cars Containing Exhibit
During September and October, the Indiana History Train featuring the Faces of the Civil War was on display in Connersville, Terre Haute, Jasper, Switz City, and Columbus.
Identification of Side of Train Car
Depiction of People from Civil War Era
The exhibition featured the involvement of Indiana citizens in the war through letters and photographs.
Indiana Soldiers
The tour also included a video as well as pictorial stories about the Civil War and the role Indiana played in the conflict.
Preparing for Battle
The War Comes Home
Fallen Heroes
Honor and Sacrifice
Display at Conclusion of Train Tour
Activity tents were set up near the Indiana History Train for visitors to learn more about the Civil War.
Tent Area
Studying about the Civil War has already been an interest of mine as my great grandfather, Solomon T. Tucker, was a soldier in the Civil War. On September 5, 1861, he enlisted in Company H, Thirty First Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was mustered in as a corporal.
With the exception of the thirty-six days that he was held as a prisoner by the Confederacy and the four weeks that he was confined to the Marine Hospital in Evansville after being wounded twice, he was with his regiment participating in all its marches, campaigns, and battles. He was honorable discharged on September 15, 1864.
He kept a diary giving minute details of each day’s proceedings. He recorded that he had marched with his comrades 18,565 miles, covering the states of Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Virginia. A family member now has the fragile dairy with faded handwritten pages.
