The James S. Keith Memorial Bridge

In November 1968, the club held its monthly meeting at Jim Keith's house to discuss the new track that was planned way out in the boonies of Indiana.  Jim was involved in almost every phase of building and maintaining the track for over 55 years, many of them as buildings superintendent.  Since he recently repainted the covered bridge, it was felt an appropriate structure to be named after Jim.  Originally the club had two acres for the dogbone on the top of the hill which opened sometime in late 1968.  But in 1985, we purchased the third acre for what we still refer to as the "new" track down below which was first officially used for the three club Cin-Ind-Day Tour in July 1988.  The bents of the covered bridge had been erected in a mudhole in April 1987 and the deck added in October 1987.  It would be used as an open deck bridge for seven years until Lou Lockwood prefabricated the covered bridge panels in his garage from Denis Larrick's drawings.  In October 1994 (the month that Norfolk Southern shut down the steam program), the well-attended work session to erect it over the deck bridge was one of the most memorable, colorful fall days in the history of the club.  Thanks, Jim, for all of your hours of dedication to our little Railroad Heaven.  The work of your hands and heart will always be on so much of the facility.

October 1, 2025 Ed Habel and Denis Larrick

Finish the Covered Bridge

Photo by Dave Sams