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Brief History of the Muncie Western Railroad Company
The Muncie and Western Railroad Company (MWR), also known as The Ball Line or Backyard Line, operated as a short-line, industrial railway that spanned 4.9 miles near E. 12th St. (E. Memorial Drive) and S. Macedonia Avenue in Muncie, Indiana.
The Muncie and Western Railroad Co. was founded in 1902 by Frank C. Ball and his brother, Edmund B. Ball, who were part of the five Ball brothers who founded the Ball Glass Manufacturing Company. The railroad was created to ensure consistent shipping for their Mason jar factory.
Once the Mason Jars were produced, they were packaged and loaded onto boxcars. The boxcars were moved by the MWR and handed off to the Muncie Belt Line Railway, which connected to the larger intercity railroads. At its peak in the mid-1940s, the MWR added 2 two diesel locomotives, replacing the two gasoline-powered locomotives.
Glass Production at the Muncie Plant ceased in 1962, and production was shifted to other facilities. The MWR continued to operate until 1994, eventually disolving in 1995. The Ball Corporation moved its headquarters to Bloomfield, Colorado, in 1998. Ball Jars were produced by Jarden (now Newell Brands) in Muncie until 2019.
75 Ton Steam Locomotive
The 75-ton Steam Locomotive pictured was one of the two Steam Locomotives operated by the Muncie Belt Railway. The Muncie Belt Railway was incorporated on August 11, 1892, and operated on 3.112 miles of track within the city of Muncie, Indiana.
MWR Locomotive #1
Muncie and Western Railroad (MWR) #1 was a Plymouth 20 Ton Gasoline Locomotive. It was purchased new around 1925 to replace a 75-ton Steam locomotive. The Muncie & Western Railroad was impressed with the Plymouth Gasoline Locomotive and purchased a second locomotive in 1926.
The locomotive was sold to the South Bend Sand & Gravel Company (now Kuert Concrete Co.) in the 1940s. It remains on permanent display in front of the Kuert Concrete Co., 1430 N Bendix Drive, South Bend, Indiana 41.69392609031117, -86.29317733788461
Muncie and Western Railroad Plymouth Locomotives
The Muncie and Western Railroad Company (MWR) purchased 2 Plymouth Gasoline Locomotives around 1925. The small but powerful Plymouth Model HL Type 2 20-Ton Gasoline Locomotives were able to pull 30 cars at a time.
MWR Locomotive #2
Muncie and Western Railroad (MWR) #2 was a Plymouth Model HL Type 2 20 Ton Gasoline Locomotive was the second of the Plymouths purchased by the Muncie & Western Railroad.
Muncie & Western #2 was mentioned in a letter on October 22, 1926, from H.A. Clark, General Manager of the Muncie & Western Railroad Co., to Fate-Root-Heath Company in Plymouth, Ohio, and was a part of an advertising campaign for the Plymouth Gasoline Locomotives.
MWR Locomotive #6
Muncie and Western Railroad (MWR) #6 was a Davenport 2258
5/1938 B-B 32" Wheels Std Ga GE50 LeRoi 100000# Built in May 1938 and was delivered to the MWR. The Davenport #6 was used by the MWR until the early 1960s, then it was sold to the Ohio River Sand & Gravel in New Martinsville, WV.
Photo taken at the Ohio River Sand & Gravel on 7/13/1967
MWR Locomotive #7
Muncie and Western Railroad (MWR) #7 was a GE 65 Ton Switcher built in June 1944 by GE Locomotive Works in Erie, Pennsylvania. The MWR purchased it new, and it remained in service until 1995. It is now owned by Shideler Grain Co. in Eaton, Indiana.
Additional specifications from plate: B-B-130/130-4GHM838 400HP Bldr.#27520 Batch/Order# 281-3113
MWR Locomotive #8 (dual headlight)
Muncie and Western Railroad (MWR) # 8 was a GE 70 Ton Switcher (Bldr.#27520 Batch/Order# 281-7003) built in December 1946 by GE Locomotive Works in Erie, Pennsylvania. The MWR purchased it new, and it remained in service until 1995. It is now owned by the Whitewater Valley Railroad in Connersville, Indiana.
Noticeable characteristic: Front Dual Headlight
MWR Locomotive #8 (single round headlight)
Muncie and Western Railroad (MWR) # 8 was a GE 70 Ton Switcher built by GE Locomotive Works in Erie, Pennsylvania. Unknown fate.
Noticeable characteristic: Front Single Headlight
Muncie and Western Railroad Trackage Map circa 1922
The MWR Boxcars were shunted between the buildings of the Ball Brothers Glass Manufacturing Company by the MWR. Once loaded, they were transferred to the Muncie Belt Railway and the Lake Erie Railroad on the trackage shown.
The Muncie Belt Railway operated 2 steam locomotives on 3.112 miles of track, 2.277 miles of yard track, and sidings. The Muncie Belt Railway was controlled by the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago, and St. Louis Railway (Big Four).
The Muncie and Western Railroad Company operated 0.749 miles on the First Main Track and 3.181 miles on the Yard tracks and sidings. The Ball Brothers Glass Manufacturing Company controlled the Muncie and Western Railroad (MWR).
The Lake Erie & Western Railroad operated a branch line to the Ball Glass Manufacturing Company. The New York Central owned the Lake Erie & Western Railroad but was later sold to the Nickel Plate Road (New York, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad) in 1922.
