CP Rail dispatcher Mike Dettmers has graciously allowed us to archive his semi-regular "Latta Laments" journal here. Latta Laments provided a great insight into the trials and tribulations of keeping the Latta Subdivision moving, as well as play-by-play and color commentary on daily events.

Each entry is typically divided into at least three sections, one for each of the three distinct sections of railroad that CP Rail trains travel on their trek between Chicago, Illinois, and Louisville, Kentucky.

The Frozen Tundra: Terre Haute to Bensenville - The combination of the Indiana Harbor Belt (IHB) and Belt Railway of Chicago (BRC) in Chicago proper, UP's Chicago Subdivision between Chicago and Wooland Jct, Illinois, and CSX's CE&D Subdivision between Woodland Jct. and CP's Spring Hill Tower on the south side of Terre Haute.

The Heart of the Matter: Spring Hill to Bedford - CP Rail's home turf, the Latta Subdivision, from Terre Haute, Indiana, to Bedford, Indiana.

Monon Misery / Hoosier Happiness: Bedford to Louisville - CSX's Hoosier Subdivision, formerly the Monon Subdivision, from Bedford, Indiana, to New Albany, Indiana. This also includes a tiny snippet of NS's St. Louis District when CP Rail trains cross the K&IT bridge over the Ohio River between New Albany and Louisville, Kentucky. CP Rail trains terminate and originate at NS's Youngtown Yard, just across the river from New Albany in Louisville.

Spring Hill Tower page

Haley Tower H&TS homepage

The editorial content of Latta Laments is (C) 1999 by Mike Dettmers. Unauthorized distribution or reproduction without permission is prohibited, not to mention just plain rude.