F40 Locomotive Being Repaired at Beech Grove.

The city of Beech Grove, Ind. came into existence as a company town for a new railroad repair facility constructed by the Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago, and St. Louis Railroad (nicknamed the "Big Four"). Through acquisitions and mergers over the years, the railroad shops have been run by the New York Central, Penn Central and, presently, Amtrak. Amtrak's Beech Grove Shops complex sits on 108 acres and there are 700,000 square feet of space under the roofs of the buildings. In recognition this city's heritage as a railroad town, Amtrak's business car 10001 is named The Beech Grove and is often used by company officials and guests when traveling the system. Photo courtesy of Matt Donnelly.