Abandoned and Vandalized, Patriot Rail's Useless former Monon branch to Monticello

Measuring in at just over 9.3 miles from the active main line connection switch to the end of track, Patriot Rail's inherited contract from Pioneer to operate a small branch line from Monon to Monticello, IN currently serves no purpose. This combination 90 and 100lb stick rail track was once a part of the Monon's Indianapolis to Chicago mainline, downgraded by Monon successor L&N and later Family Lines in the 1980's.

CSX operated the line well into the late 2010's, until Pioneer created the third leg of their Elkhart Western operation to service one active customer, Monticello Farm Services, who took in both liquid and dry fertilizer via rail from the CSX connection in Monon.

In January of 2024, Ceres Solutions purchased Monticello Farm Services, establishing themselves at the old MFS facility. Two months later, in March of that year, Ceres merged with Co Alliance to create Keystone Coop. With Co Alliance having an existing fertilizer facility in the next town west (Reynolds), the redundant MFS facility was vacated, eliminating the already low density traffic the railroad saw.

With no other customers, the future of this section of track looks bleak. A quick photo comparison of the former PREX GP16 assigned to this railroad reveals how often they check in on the place. A sad sight indeed, it's a shame those shiny Patriot no trespassing signs don't keep the kids away from destroying that geep.

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