I’ve always been interested in old train stations that have been abandoned or converted into shops and restaurants.
No I don’t explore them — the abandoned ones, but I will visit a converted one.
There is always an interesting story to be heard.
This one took place in Indiana. I’m sure there are many similar stories from all over the United States . . . and perhaps the world. But this particular Indiana train station was converted into a restaurant and bar.
As the story goes . . . It goes back to the first world war when men were traveling by train to join the troops.
Many women tearfully said good-bye to their husbands or boyfriends at the train station along with many families.
This real ghost story centers around Peggy and Marvin. They recently broke up. Marvin joined the army and was leaving town with other local boys. He was surrounded by his friends, family and new girlfriend.
Peggy showed up wanting to have an urgent word with him. Marvin did his best to ignore here, but she was as persistent as a gnat. Reluctantly he leaves his family, friends and new girlfriends and steps outside near the tracks with Peggy.
She tells him she’s in the “family way.” Marvin tells her it’s her problem. Plus some other choice words that were unkind and uncalled for . . . but he was going off to war and he had a new girlfriend . . . so what did Peggy expect. Marvin walks away to rejoin his friends, family and girlfriend . . . Then boards the train.
No one remembers seeing Peggy leave the train station . . . they do, however, remember seeing her talking with Marvin down by the tracks. This is what her parents were told when they came looking for her around supper time.
By the next morning, police informed Peggy’s parents that her dead body was found in a packing crate at the end of its route.
It’s still a mystery of what happened . . . but rumors spread. Marvin was never charged with Peggy’s murder . . . And to this very day there are sightings of a sad, lonely figure of a young woman walking along the railroad tracks after dark.
This seems to me to be an urban legend . . . which it very well could be . . . As I mentioned earlier, there were rumors . . . speculations, perhaps, but nevertheless a popular belief that Marvin told Peggy to meet him on the train . . . which, of course, she did — hoping he had a change of heart and would marry her . . . but instead murdered her and put her in a packing crate along with goods that were being delivered several counties away.
Well as it happened, after about 40 years, Marvin is found tending bar at the old train station. It’s no longer the train station, the tracks are still out back and used by freight trains primarily. He did return from the war, married, had kids which have grown, married . . . Marvin is a grandfather . . .
Yes, the days of his youth are well behind him . . . the memory of Peggy . . . faded the day he left for war.
Marvin is tending bar when a young woman, wearing a straw hat and sun dress walks in and orders a gin and tonic. She sits at the bar playing with the thin straw in her drink.
There’s something familiar about her, but Marvin can’t place it. They engage in small talk and she says she’s there visiting relatives. No, she’s not related to Peggy, but she resembles her in looks, voice and mannerisms.
The strange thing is that no one else in the bar saw this mysterious woman and the gin and tonic was untouched on the bar.
Marvin got some ribbing about seeing things and serving imaginary customers.
On other visits to the bar, this mysterious woman would walk in, catch Marvin’s eye and walk out back. He could see her waiting for him down by the tracks, but each time Marvin resisted the urge to follow her.
After this went one for several weeks, Marvin finally decided to follow. He wanted answers. Yes, he followed her outside, then he saw her walking slowly beside the tracks. Marvin sprinted after her. He was more concerned about following than being aware of his surroundings and met his death when the 8:30 express came barreling through.
Did Peggy get her revenge? It seems so. Now this Indiana depot, converted bar has Peggy and the bartender in residence. They can be seen playing a cat and mouse game on the railroad tracks reliving his death night after night.
Yes, there have been sightings of Marvin’s meanderings down the railroad tracks . . . some have seen him following the young woman . . . but most just claim to see Marvin . . .
This a true paranormal experience many have shared . . .
Thanks for stopping by!
Sharon
