Viatorian Brother Preserves Midwestern Train History with Third Book
10/24/2011

You might call Br. James Lewnard, CSV, a Renaissance man for his many interests and accomplishments. As a Viatorian brother and ordained deacon, he serves others in the church and in the classroom.

In September, he added another feather to his cap: he had his third book published and latest in a series about trains that crisscross Central Illinois. “Trackside in the Land of Lincoln with Richard Ward” was published in September by Morning Sun Books. Br. Lewnard worked with photographer Richard Ward, who took the full color photos.

Look for trains and history of rail transportation to impact his curriculum at Saint Viator High School, where Br. Lewnard teaches two sections of U.S. history as well as global economics. This versatile teacher also leads a string quartet and a contemporary music group that plays at area churches. Br. Lewnard jumps in as needed on his flute or cello.

The book’s 128 pages examine the first-generation diesels and passenger Wabash trains, as well as some Illinois Central, Pennsylvania Railroad, GM&O, Rock Island and many more railroad lines that traveled across central Illinois in the 1960s and ‘70s.

Br. Lewnard shares his passion for trains with his younger brother, Joe, who works by day as a staff photographer for the Daily Herald. They combined on Br. Lewnard’s first two books and draw their interest from their grandfather who worked as a dining car steward for 40 years on the Monon Railroad, which ran throughout the Midwest.