Notes...

New Bremen - Around the mid 1970's, Crown Control owner James Dicke moved the ex-L.E.&W station from it's original Monroe Street location south of the Minster branch tracks to the Dicke Estate. Today, it is restored beautifully. On the outside is the village name board as well as the Western Union sign. This building is on private property and cannot be seen from any public road. Violators will be prosecuted as there is heavy security. However, arrangements can be made by inquiring at Crown's headquarters in downtown New Bremen. The station is located on the east side of New Bremen a few blocks south of New Bremen schools. If you receive permission to visit this structure, you will also see a N&W business car that has been preserved for Crown's corporate guest. An engraved plaque on the side of the station gives a brief message on the importance of the railroad to New Bremen and refers to its' local nickname, "The Dinky".   The inside of the station has been gutted with the exception of the ticket window and very small passenger waiting area directly inside the door. The wall separating the freight room has been removed, making the room adequate for meeting. A modified baggage cart serves as a meeting table in the freight area. A dentist chair and working area is located in the agent's working area. The structure has been added to and as you walk through a foyer into the adjoining room, on the left is an old time barber shop complete with all the trimmings a barber needed a century ago. The bed is located on the other side of the room. The remodeling, design, and styling are quaint and unfortunately, must be seen to really grasp the ingenuity taken to restore this building. Guests visiting Crown have a choice of staying in the station, a railroad president's private car, or several other antique structures purchased by Mr. Dicke and relocated to the estate; including a farm home and private residence from the streets of New Bremen. The car is equipped with observation deck and room, eating area, kitchen, bedrooms and crew quarters. It too is restored and if ever put on rails would be quite a private car. I wish more rail fans could tour this structure, but Crown's policy is that of protection, and they really don't want any pictures or people in that area that was built and designed for corporate guests. --Daniel Meckstroth

St. Johns - The station was relocated and turned facing east and west from the north south facing on the DT&I. The bay window faces north along old US 33. Inside, the walls are painted gray at the bottom and white above, a color scheme common to many way stations on the "Railroad that Henry Ford Built" Inside appearance is well preserved considering use and age of structure. Structure can be seen from US 33 bridge crossing Indiana and Ohio rails (former DT&I) looking south. --Daniel Meckstroth

St. Marys (T&OC) - Rare two story station, built so that the station agent's private residence was on the second floor and the station offices were at ground level. Likely abandoned (sold) from railroad use prior to 1910, when new passenger station and freight house was built near downtown St. Marys along the Miami-Erie Canal. There is a possibility this station was built for the Columbus Northwestern Railroad at the time of the line's construction, though it can not be confirmed. --Scott Trostel