Walkerton Tower

 KN Tower is located in Walkerton, Indiana along U.S. 6, 20 miles southwest of South Bend.

 It is where CSX's (Ex-B&O) Garrett Sub crosses the Elkhart & Western's, (ex-NKP), IMC line. Until 1983, Conrail's, (Ex-NYC), "Kankakee Belt Line" also crossed both routes. It is unclear when KN tower was removed from service, but CSX was still stationing crews inside it as late as 1998.

 

 

This video walk-through was filmed in August, 1998. Note the ice machine still in use at the front door. Only the CSX and IMC now cross.

 This is how the tower looked in July, 2012.

Now it sits neglected and weed-grown, with trees beginning to grown along the foundation. Every time this photographer visits this location, there appear to be a few bricks missing.This video was taken on September 6, 2013.

This is how KN Tower looked in June, 2014.

 

 

This is how the tower looked in July, 2018

 

 

 

This is the tower on June 5, 2019
 

 

                    On June 5, 2019, an eastbound CN tank train blasts past the tower!

                            

 

                                This was August 30, 2022. Note how high the tree is!

          

                                             

 

                                            This is May 23, 2023.

                           

                                            September 23, 2023

    It is obvious that KN Tower was built to last, but the elements have taken their toll over the years. Railroad signal towers in general are a thing of the past. Every time I visit this location, more bricks are missing or more glass is missing from the windows. Like any of piece of railroad history, KN Tower is on borrowed time. Snap your photos and video while you can!