source: www.scripophily.com

The Vandalia Railroad was formed in 1905 as a collection of a number of railroads between St Louis & Indianapolis. In 1921, part became known as the Pennsylvania RR.  At one time, most of the bridge carpenters along this line lived in Coatesville, leading to the town's nickname of "Chiseltown", in reference to their tool of the trade.

Most of the line was abandoned in 1976 by Penn Central and in 1982 by Conrail.  Some portions of the western half continued into the 90's.  The Pennsy / Vandalia corridor is still largely intact with a few scattered incursions.

Incorporated in 1907, the Terre Haute, Indianapolis & Eastern Traction Co. was a conglomerate of several existing railway companies, one of which included an Indianapolis-Richmond link.  The new company then completed a link from Indy to Terre Haute.  It was acquired by Indiana Railroad in 1931, which later operated buses on the Terre Haute route after rail service was discontinued in 1938.  Rail service from Indy to Richmond was phased out between 1932 and 1937.

Portions of this corridor are still clearly visible, especially between Indianapolis and Terre Haute. Electric power lines, which once powered the trains, still mark the interurban route.  The bridge over White Lick Creek actually still stands, whereas the parallel Pennsy's bridge is gone.

The National Road, America's first interstate highway, was constructed in Indiana between 1829 and 1834 and provided the primary gateway to western settlement.  Nicknamed the "Main Street of America", as many as 200 wagons per day passed through the small towns which sprang up along its route.

The National Road is a National Scenic Byway, and was designated as a state scenic route in 1996 and a nationally recognized All-American Road in 2003.  Most of the original route has become US40, although older alignments are visible or navigable in several locations.

The Indiana National Road Association, supported by the Historic Landmarks, was formed in 1994 and is a partner of the National Road Heritage Trail project.

The National Road Heritage Trail will closely follow the alignment of the National Road with the exception of western Putnam and Clay Counties.  Historic sites along the road will be accessible to the trail and portions may be upgraded to include bicycle accommodations.