 The line from East St. Louis east to Terre Haute was opened in 1868, 1869, and 1870 by the St. Louis, Vandalia and Terre Haute Railroad (in Illinois) and the Terre Haute and Indianapolis Rail Road, the Terre Haute and Richmond's successor (in Indiana).The entire line was operated by the Terre Haute and Indianapolis under lease until 1905, when the two companies were merged into the Vandalia Railroad.The Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railway (the PC&StL's successor) and the Vandalia Railroad merged in 1917 to form the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad, which the Pennsylvania Railroad leased in 1921.