[1] The line covered a total distance of about 25 miles (40 km) and transported coal for several years in the 1870s.

The trip from Bismarck to the coal mines took about 2 hours and 15 minutes, making the average speed about 5.5 miles per hour (8.9 km/h); there were four stations along the way, including Sumner (Johnsonville), Taylor (or Taylor's Switch), a gravel pit, and Covington.

[1] Sumner Station was located in Warren County near the intersection of this new line with the existing Wabash Railroad.

[4] In December 1877, a murder took place in Stringtown, and although the culprit was convicted, problems increased between the 90 black and 225 white miners.

[1][4] Coal continued to be mined at Stringtown in the 1880s and was taken north to Covington, then on to Danville via the Indiana, Bloomington and Western Railway.

[2][3] Construction on this portion of the line started, and by 1873, the railroad grade had entered Parke County from the south, moving north along the Raccoon Creek.