I offer this brief post as an initial notice that a piece of Notre Dame history has been lost. And it seems to be a permanent loss.
Last week I drove down Douglas Road on the north side of campus and noticed that the rail line into campus is in the process of being removed. This caught me by surprise as there was no discussion to my knowledge with the campus regarding this removal. It seems that the removal was to be done as fast as possible. An article from the South Bend Tribune is available by clicking here.
For some time a few years ago the renaissance of rail service of both freight and possibly passenger service would return to Notre Dame. However, the University took a position in line with the City of South Bend seeking abandonment. That is the University’s prerogative.
What is forgotten in this process is the loss of a sense of history and the appreciation of the railway heritage of the University. I have mentioned numerous times that the railroads are responsible for the building of Notre Dame as a national university. The path to national prominence began in the early part of the twentieth century and that path was on the nation’s rail right-of-ways.
So for now, I can only say good bye to our railroad: the ND&W, the Notre Dame and Western. That wonderful anme and reporting mark that Brother Borromeo Malley, C.S.C. always took pride in. When asked why that name was given to our rail line, he would reply with a smile, “Sounds like a railroad.”
About Edward Hums
Edward F. Hums, M.B.A., C.P.A.
Teaching Professor of Accountancy
Ed Hums is in his tenth year as a full-time faculty member of the Mendoza College of Business and currently teaches financial and managerial accounting to undergraduates and team teaches a course in the Masters in Non-Profit Administration program. He also lectures in the Executive Education program at the University and at various corporate locations. Ed is currently faculty coordinator for the Vivian Harrington Gray Notre Dame – St. Mary’s Tax Assistance Program. In addition to his teaching and lecturing, Ed monitors the rail industry.
Ed received the Frank O’Malley Teaching Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Education, the highest individual teaching award at the University, in 2004 and the Paul Fenlon Undergraduate Teaching Award in 2005. In 2006 when the on-line version of Business Week initially profiled America’s favorite business professors, Ed was the first faculty member listed. In 2008 Ed received an Edmund P. Joyce C.S.C. Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching. In October 2010 at the request of Student Government, Ed delivered Notre Dame’s Fall 2010 “Last Lecture” in Washington Hall.
Ed served Notre Dame for 26 years in various administrative roles at the University including budgeting, financial planning, tax reporting, systems management, and financial reporting. In 1989 while working in administration, Ed began teaching on a part-time basis.
Ed is a 1975 graduate of Notre Dame with an undergraduate degree in accountancy. He was lead student trainer on Notre Dame’s 1973 national championship football team. Ed holds two masters’ degrees from Indiana University South Bend, and is a licensed CPA in Indiana. Ed and his wife, Shirley, a staff member in the University’s athletic department and Notre Dame alum, reside in Mishawaka. Ed is a member of the Edward Fredrick Sorin Society, Notre Dame Monogram Club, Indiana CPA Society, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, American Accounting Association, Beta Alpha Psi, National Association of Rail Shippers and is player/coach of the Notre Dame faculty hockey team.
Hi Ed,
Do you know if the ND&W still runs from that large coal pile to the power house? I noticed the loco is still down there with a coal car.
Thanks,
Chuck
Chuck:
Sorry for this late, late reply. The locomotive, crane and coal hopper do not run from coal pile to power plant anymore.
Ed Hums