The Pennsylvania Railroad in Indiana: Railroads Past and Present

A history of the Pennsylvania Railroad and its predecessor companies in Indiana. Few corporate institutions had such widespread impact upon Indiana’s people or their way of life--the ＂Pennsy＂ once operated one-fourth of the state’s rail mileage. Highlights of its story include coverage of its famous passenger trains, its impact upon the state’s economy, the railroad’s contributions to Allied victory in World War II, and the post-war decline which led to its merger into Penn Central. Illustrations recreate images of its speedy passenger trains and heavy-tonnage freights, as well as advertising and other promotional materials dating back to the 1840s.

Indianapolis business consultant William J. Watt is a former Associated Press writer and editor, executive assistant to Indiana Governor Otis R. Bowen, and associate administrator for policy at the Federal Railroad Administration. He also served as Information Director of the Indiana Department of Commerce and as an assistant to former Lt. Gov. Richard E. Folz. During the administration of Governor Robert D. Orr he chaired the Transportation Coordinating Board and Indiana Transportation Finance Authority. Mr. Watt also was Governor Orr’s alternate on the Amtrak board of directors. He studied journalism at Indiana University and has served on the board of visitors for the university’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs since 1986. Mr. Watt attained the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Indiana Army National Guard during service from 1966-1989.

LENGTHIER BIO:
William J. Watt, of Indianapolis, Indiana, is a business consultant specializing in transportation, public policy analysis, and corporate communications.

After studying journalism at Indiana University, he worked from 1966 to 1969 as a writer and editor for the Associated Press at Indianapolis, and from 1969 to 1973 served as information director of the Indiana Department of Commerce and as an assistant to Lieutenant Governor Richard E. Folz. From 1973 to 1981 he was executive assistant to Governor Otis R. Bowen. Responsibilities included media relations, and liaison with state agencies involved in transportation, energy, and natural resources. He coordinated the state administration’s response to the eastern railroad bankruptcies, and chaired an advisory group on energy policy for the Midwestern Governors’ Association.

During the administration of Governor Robert D. Orr, he chaired the Indiana Transportation Coordinating Board, Indiana Transportation Finance Authority, and White River Park Development Commission. Mr. Watt also served as the governor’s alternate on the Amtrak board ofdirectors.

From 1989 to 1993 he was associate administrator for policy at the Federal Railroad Administration, and was involved in issues including national transportation policy, railroad mergers, technical assistance to transportation ministries in Europe and Asia, and transportation support to operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He chaired a Department of Transportation working group which cooperated with the Mexican government to deal with railroad problems at the border crossings.

Mr. Watt was U. S. representative to the European Railways Congress, Berlin, Germany, in 1991. He formerly served on the boards of the Northeast-Midwest Institute, Indiana Economic Development Council, and Environmental Quality Control Inc. Since 1986 he has served as a member of the board of visitors to the Indiana University School of Public and Environmental Affairs. He is a director of the Center for Railroad Photography and Art. A member of the Indiana Army National Guard from 1966 to 1981, Mr. Watt attained the rank of lieutenant colonel.