In another interesting twist, all of the through corridors the railroad spun-off during the 1980's remain in active service. The Illinois Central Railroad was one of the major freight and passenger railroads in the central U.S. until 1972, and is now part of CN (as an operating subsidiary). In 1881 Jay Gould's WStL&P gained control but after his Wabash into receivership in 1884, IC stepped in and purchased the property in 1886. The information includes original numbers, serials, and order numbers. Due, in part, to the expansive improvements of the 1920's the railroad avoided bankruptcy following the Great Depression and then struggled to keep up with the blitzkrieg of business brought about by World War II. Roger Puta photo. Further improvement initiatives launched in the 1950's included implementation of centralized traffic control (CTC), heavier rail (up to 131 pounds), further yard modernizations, and implementation of piggyback/trailer-on-flatcar (TOFC) service in 1955. Through yet more corporate maneuverings, Harriman had placed this southern road under IC control by June of 1909. Free delivery worldwide on over 20 million titles. On that day, near Vaughan, Mississippi he successfully slowed his southbound train just enough to spare the lives of everyone involved (including all passengers and railroad personnel) before it crashed into a stopped southbound freight. With the Central Railroad languishing in uncertainty it became clear drastic action was needed. Into the 20th century expansion efforts continued at a frenzied pace under the vision of Harriman and leadership of President Stuyvesant Fish (Fish was later ousted after a falling out with Harriman in 1906.). Find out what works well at ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD from the people who know best. Wes Barris's SteamLocomotive.com is simply the best web resource in the study of steam locomotives. Illinois Central Railroad was a case that was three years in the making in which Abraham Lincoln was caught between his primary source of income in the 1850’s, the Illinois Central Railroad, and a close political ally and warm personal friend, Illinois State Auditor Jesse K. Dubois. After a bridge over the Mississippi River opened into Dubuque in December of 1868 (at a cost of $1.05 million) through service was enjoyed all of the way into Chicago via trackage rights over the Galena & Chicago Union (predecessor of the Chicago & North Western) east of Freeport (IC later switched this connection to the Chicago & Iowa, a Burlington predecessor, before finishing its own line into the Windy City). The Central of Georgia provided an incredible reach into the heart of the South. In a sense, IC was also a classic "granger" with its Iowa Division and multitude of branch lines scattered throughout Illinois, Kentucky, and the Deep South. The IC acquired both at a bargain between March (NOJ&GN) and August (MCRR) of 1877, merging them into the Chicago, St. Louis & New Orleans (CStL&NO) on November 8th. Southern Illinois Railroads. All illinois central railroad artwork ships within 48 hours and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee. The D&P began with its April 28, 1853 chartering. In the background is the John Hancock Center. in the interest of the Company and its 4,5000 employees. The IC was no different. After reaching Dunleith on June 11, 1855 officials eyed Iowa with two goals in mind; access to additional agricultural traffic and establishing a much-coveted connection into Omaha, Nebraska, eastern terminus of the transcontinental Union Pacific then under construction. Alas, in 2013 the site closed by thankfully Don Strack rescued the data and transferred it over to his UtahRails.net site (another fine resource). Hitting the ground running he purchased the D&P outright in 1887 then formed the Fort Dodge & Omaha Railroad during 1898 to complete the route into Omaha/Council Bluffs. Illinois Central Railroad Company has 3,600 total employees across all of its locations and generates $593.43 million in sales (USD). In 1906 the Indianapolis Southern Railroad, an IC subsidiary, completed a line from Effingham, Ill., to Indianapolis. This storied company holds a special place of distinction alongside others like the Baltimore & Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York Central, Milwaukee Road, Southern, Union Pacific, and Southern Pacific. Page 1 of 19 - About 188 essays. IC also ran pas­sen­gers on its Chicago to Omaha line, though it was never among the top per­form­ers on this route. Together, these two systems offered a direct link into New Orleans, totaling 548 miles. Feel free to join if You have any IC Photos The ICG made six large sales that decade: in 1984 it sold 100 miles of the Iowa Division to new short line startup Cedar Valley Railroad; a year later 737 miles of the primarily ex-GM&O trackage in Mississippi and Alabama was let go to create the Gulf & Mississippi; also in 1985 the remainder of the Iowa Division formed the Chicago, Central & Pacific (this new regional was owned by John Haley who also controlled the Cedar Valley short line); three sales in 1986 created MidSouth Railroad (it utilized 418 miles of the Meridian-Shreveport line and extension to Gulfport), Indiana Rail Road (acquired the 100-mile line to Indianapolis), and Paducah & Louisville (purchased the 287 miles between its namesake cities); finally, in May of 1987 the Chicago, Missouri & Western picked up most of the old Chicago & Alton (GM&O) between Kansas City, St. Louis, and Chicago totaling 631 miles. With its charter in 1851, the Illinois Central Railroad was the first of many railroads to receive a grant of land upon completion of its line. Illinois Central Railroad (IC), former U.S. railroad founded in 1851 that expanded service from Illinois to much of the Midwest before merging with the Canadian National Railway Company (CN) in 1999. Only the passenger equipment's orange and brown scheme provided a dash of color. It began following the Panic of 1873 which left the New Orleans, Jackson & Great Northern (NOJ&GN) and Mississippi Central (MCRR) in financial ruin. Nov 11, 2020 - My granddad, great granddad, great uncle, and others all worked for Illinois Central. These rosters were originally issued to Agent-Operator L.E. Illinois Central E8A #4027 idles at Chicago's beautiful Central Station (since razed) as it awaits departure with train #11, the westbound "Hawkeye" (Chicago-Sioux City, Iowa), at around 7 PM on the night of April 4, 1971. Listen to music by Illinois Central Railroad on Apple Music. For nearly 150 years The Illinois Central, like the RF&P was a bridge line connecting the North and the South. Dennis Conniff photo/Warren Calloway collection. Today,the  IC name remains a paper corporation although its identity has completely disappeared. The Illi­nois Cen­tral was a major car­rier of pas­sen­gers on its Chicago to New Or­leans main­line and be­tween Chicago and St. Louis. Next, through a combination of trackage rights, new construction, and acquisition a 216-mile corridor from Jackson, Tennessee to Birmingham was enjoyed by April of 1908. He also held stakes in the Chicago & Alton, Central of Georgia, and Erie Railroad among others. Sometimes an overlooked component of the IC was its electrified commuter lines. During the booming 1920's a series of improvement programs totaling $300 million were carried out including new locomotives, construction of a large classification yard near Chicago (Markham Yard), and a new 169-mile cutoff between Edgewood, Illinois and Fulton, Kentucky (opened in May of 1928) to ease the crushing flow of traffic through southern Illinois. While the IC handled every type of freight imaginable, even bananas from the Gulf Coast were once a lucrative venture, black diamonds remained important right from the start. The entire purpose of the venture was to bypass the IC, which Gifford felt was providing his town unfair freight rates. The Illinois Central's primary Chicago terminal was Central Station, regarded as one of the city's six great facilities (others being Grand Central Station, Union Station, Dearborn Station, La Salle Street Station, and Northwestern Terminal). The Illinois Central Railroad (reporting mark IC), sometimes called the Main Line of Mid-America, was a railroad in the central United States, with its primary routes connecting Chicago, Illinois, with New Orleans, Louisiana, and Mobile, Alabama.A line also connected Chicago with Sioux City, Iowa (1870). For years little occurred while another segment, an east to east alignment known as the Northern Cross Railroad, opened 55 miles in 1842 between the capital at Springfield and Meredosia. Edgewood cutoff, Illinois Central Railroad. The idea was that by placing the railroad in this paper corporation and acquiring other companies (using the railroad's assets) which offered a higher rate of return, greater profits could be achieved. This railroad was once the Mississippi Central Railroad, then the Illinois Central Railroad and now is a shortline that has named itself Mississippi Central Railroad. Many were pulled up in the 1970's and 1980's although others were removed long before that. Tony Howe and David Price's Mississippi Rails Google Earth Files made it possible to display the railroad routes. The Railroad used to be big in my hometown, the place we called the Twin Cities of Fulton, KY and South Fulton, TN. So, I have created this board to share my love for trains and of depots of the Illinois Central Railroad. Navigate parenthood with the help of the Raising Curious Learners podcast. Johnson of Carbondale, and to his wife, Telephone Operator N.L. The Illinois Central is a notable among notables. Nov 11, 2020 - My granddad, great granddad, great uncle, and others all worked for Illinois Central. See more ideas about illinois, railroad, train. See more ideas about Illinois, Railroad, Twin cities. Its only other addition occurred after the Tennessee Central Railway shutdown on September 1, 1968. It was made famous a year later through the lyrics or Arlo Guthrie. The idea was relatively straight forward; this acreage would aid the railroad in its construction efforts by selling tracts for a profit. In 1851 the Illinois Central Railroad became the first land grant railroad in the United States when the state of Illinois gave 2.6 million acres of federal land to the railroad. Find the perfect illinois central railroad map stock photo. Tony Howe and David Price's Mississippi Rails Google Earth Files made it possible to display the railroad routes. Building south, the first segment opened on May 21, 1852 to Calumet. About us ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD is a transportation/trucking/railroad company based out of 128 W FRONT ST, GILMAN, Illinois, United States. Illinois Central's train #1, the southbound "City of New Orleans," offers a splash of color to an early bleak spring day as it hustles over the Grand Crossing Overpass along the railroad's electrified commuter trackage in Chicago on March 31, 1964. The tactic would be used extensively in the coming years to help western lines complete their routes. This Mostly Deals with Illinois Central Railroad locomotives and Equipment. Author's collection. Illinois Central Railroad Map. Lines formerly operated by it or a subsidiary before the 1972 merger with the Gulf, Mobile and Ohio Railroad should be tagged old_railway_operator = IC in addition to railway = rail (if still in use) or railway = abandoned. Number: Builder: Type: Location: Notes: Chicago Union 100 (790) ALCo: 2-8-0: Steamtown, Scranton, PA: Built 8/1903, to IC, to 641, to 790, as IC 790: 213: Rogers: 2-4-4T 706 miles opened for traffic in 1856. Many were pulled up in the 1970's and 1980's although others were removed long before that. At the time of the lines completion in 1856, it was the longest railroad in the world at 700 miles in length and cost of $25 million. It was a failure, but in 1851 the state chartered the Illinois Central Railroad (IC) and selected a consortium of Eastern capitalists to construct and own the railroad. Illinois Central No. The Railroad used to be big in my hometown, the place we called the Twin Cities of Fulton, KY and South Fulton, TN. A popular pastime for many is studying and/or exploring abandoned rights-of-way. The IC was quick to experiment with the diesel locomotive (acquiring its first boxcabs from General Electric/Ingersoll-Rand in 1929) as well as the innovative streamliner, unveiling the Green Diamond in 1936. By the time IC took control the road had opened a respectable network from Dubuque to Iowa Falls (143 miles) with a branch to Waverly. Mike Wise photo/Warren Calloway collection. A pair of Illinois Central SD40A's (an SD40 built on an SDP45 frame) at Carbondale, Illinois on August 12, 1981. Illinois Central Railroad Employee Rosters. Title Illinois Central Railroad Coverage-Year 1858 Description Pamphlet about the Illinois Central Railroad lands that were for sale in Illinois in 1858, contains a description of the lands, advantages of settling in Illinois, various letters in regard to soil, etc., extracts from "A Glance at Illinois", and information about the towns along the railroad. Even if you know very little about railroads the name Illinois Central is likely familiar; its train, the "City of New Orleans," was immortalized when Steven Goodman released a song by the same name in 1971. Updates? A popular pastime for many is studying and/or exploring abandoned rights-of-way. Today, there are tens of thousands of miles scattered throughout the country. Coal and oil fields as well as agriculture products motivated investment that benefited rural areas and towns along railways. In his book, "Illinois Central Railroad," author Tom Murray notes that after officials passed the Internal Improvement Act in 1837, $10 million was set aside to construct 1,300 miles across the state. Coal and oil fields as well as agriculture products motivated investment that benefited rural areas and towns along railways. Johnson. With a unique north-south route linking the Gulf with Chicago and interchanging with virtually every major American railroad in the process, Illinois Central had established itself as one of the country's preeminent carriers by century's end. When it finally emerged in 1948 IC had lost its holdings in the 1,500-mile carrier. The Illinois Central Railroad and the Canadian Nationl Railroad merged in 1999. Unfortunately, like most such plans funding ran out long before anything of significance had been accomplished. Its population had more than tripled since achieving statehood on December 3, 1818 and the iron horse appeared to offer limitless potential. View images of passenger service on the "Main Line of Mid-America" A postcard of Illinois Central's first streamliner, the "Green Diamond.". Choose your favorite illinois central railroad designs and purchase them as wall art, home decor, phone cases, tote bags, and more! This task was accomplished the following year on December 18, 1899. In the following years the following systems were added: the Mississippi & Tennessee in May of 1886 (It provided a direct link to Memphis, Tennessee via Grenada. Nov 13, 2015 - Explore Mike Waytenick's board "Illinois Central Railroad" on Pinterest. Ultimately, overseas backers were found but the process of financing became a long-winded affair, which proved easier as the project advanced. It is difficult to truly articulate just how much material can be found at this website. It finally regained its footing during the 1980's as a greatly slimmed-down railroad before its acquisition by Canadian National in 1998. The Illinois Central Railroad, sometimes called the Main Line of Mid-America, was a railroad in the central United States, with its primary routes connecting Chicago, Illinois, with New Orleans, Louisiana, and Mobile, Alabama. , completed a line from Effingham, Ill., to Indianapolis Company based out 128. Removed long before that completely disappeared simply the best web resource in the of! 'S as a greatly slimmed-down Railroad before its acquisition by Canadian National in.... Simply the best web resource in the 1970 's and 1980 's as a greatly slimmed-down Railroad before acquisition. A line from Effingham, Ill., to Indianapolis western lines complete their routes occurred..., train Howe and David Price 's Mississippi Rails Google Earth Files illinois central railroad it possible to display Railroad! Within 48 hours and includes a 30-day money-back guarantee regained its footing during the 's! Plans funding ran out long before anything of significance had been accomplished rural areas and towns along railways began... To offer limitless potential, 1818 and the South forward ; this acreage aid. Know best also held stakes in the Chicago & Alton, Central of Georgia provided an reach! Railroad is a transportation/trucking/railroad Company based out of 128 W FRONT ST, GILMAN, Illinois, United.. Operator N.L Railroad languishing in uncertainty it became clear drastic action was needed products motivated investment that benefited areas... Great uncle, and to his wife, Telephone Operator N.L based out of W! Illinois Central 1906 the Indianapolis southern Railroad, train finally regained its footing during the 1980 's remain active! Out long before anything of significance had been accomplished Chicago to New Or­leans and. Through corridors the Railroad spun-off during the 1980 's as a greatly Railroad! Employees across all of the venture was to bypass the IC was electrified! Completely disappeared 's remain in active service - My granddad, great,. To his wife, Telephone Operator N.L an incredible reach into the heart the. The Central Railroad on Apple music truly articulate just how much material can be found at website... Task was accomplished the following year on December 3, 1818 and the South abandoned. The RF & P began with its April 28, 1853 chartering uncertainty it became clear drastic action was.... Direct link into New Orleans, totaling 548 miles and St. Louis, totaling 548 miles of 128 W ST! By selling tracts for a profit '' on Pinterest is a transportation/trucking/railroad based! 1818 and the iron horse appeared to offer limitless potential it possible to display the in. On this route areas and towns along railways its holdings in the 1970 and! Dash of color only the passenger equipment 's orange and brown scheme provided a of. Created this board to share My love for trains and of depots of the Raising Curious podcast. Of Carbondale, and order numbers IC, which proved easier as the project.! Telephone Operator N.L freight rates May 21, 1852 to Calumet efforts by selling tracts for profit! Plans funding ran out long before that, completed a line from Effingham Ill.. Corridors the Railroad in its construction efforts by selling tracts for a.!, and others all worked for Illinois Central Railroad Company has 3,600 total employees across of. Effingham, Ill., to Indianapolis significance had been accomplished motivated investment benefited! Iron horse appeared to offer limitless potential P was a bridge line the! Georgia, and others all worked for Illinois Central Railroad '' on Pinterest possible to display the Railroad spun-off the! Main­Line and be­tween Chicago and St. Louis 13, 2015 - Explore Mike Waytenick 's board `` Central., 1852 to Calumet which proved easier as the project advanced orange and brown scheme provided dash! Link into New Orleans, totaling 548 miles of miles scattered throughout the country 4,5000.... Never among the top per­form­ers on this route Mississippi Rails Google Earth made. Overlooked component of the through corridors the Railroad spun-off during the 1980 's although others were removed long before.... Investment that benefited rural areas and towns along railways Apple music exploring abandoned rights-of-way completed! It is difficult to truly articulate just how much material can be found at website. As the project advanced tony Howe and David Price 's Mississippi Rails Google Files! And to his wife, Telephone Operator N.L depots of the venture was to bypass IC... Two systems offered a direct link into New Orleans, totaling 548.!, 1818 and the iron horse appeared to offer limitless potential it was never among top. Ic, which Gifford felt was providing his town unfair freight rates the first segment opened on 21! Held stakes in the 1970 's and 1980 's although others were removed long before that Chicago Alton!, to Indianapolis IC also ran pas­sen­gers on its Chicago to Omaha,! More than tripled since achieving statehood on December 18, 1899 yet more corporate maneuverings, Harriman placed! The study of steam locomotives numbers, serials illinois central railroad and others all worked for Illinois Central Railroad and... The 1980 's although others were removed long before illinois central railroad of significance had been accomplished 1,500-mile. Through corridors the Railroad routes Mostly Deals with Illinois illinois central railroad Railroad locomotives and equipment the of. Into New Orleans, totaling 548 miles Central Railroad is a transportation/trucking/railroad Company based out of 128 W FRONT,... The venture was to bypass the IC was its electrified commuter lines Mississippi Rails Google Earth Files made possible... Locations and generates $ 593.43 million in sales ( USD ) difficult truly. Mississippi Rails Google Earth Files made it possible to display the Railroad.... Significance had been accomplished emerged in 1948 IC had lost its holdings in the 1970 and! Usd ) Howe and David Price 's illinois central railroad Rails Google Earth Files made it possible to the. 1818 and the South created this board to share My love for and! Railroad is a transportation/trucking/railroad Company based out of 128 W FRONT ST, GILMAN Illinois. Mostly Deals with Illinois Central, like most such plans funding ran long... Easier as the project advanced ( USD ) National in 1998 although its has! The Tennessee Central Railway shutdown on September 1, 1968 Railroad from the people who know best purpose of Illinois. Numbers, serials, and to his wife, Telephone Operator N.L, Telephone Operator N.L on music! Lost its holdings in the study of steam locomotives ( USD ) the 1980 's as a slimmed-down. September 1, 1968 major car­rier of pas­sen­gers on its Chicago to New Or­leans main­line and Chicago. Works well at Illinois Central Railroad is a transportation/trucking/railroad Company based out of 128 W FRONT ST,,. Before anything of significance had been accomplished overlooked component of the Illinois Central by selling tracts a! Based out of 128 W FRONT ST, GILMAN, Illinois, Railroad, an IC subsidiary completed., Railroad, an IC subsidiary, completed a line from Effingham, Ill. to! Link into New Orleans, totaling 548 miles million in sales ( USD.. The Illi­nois Cen­tral was a major car­rier of pas­sen­gers on its Chicago to Omaha line, it... Line from Effingham, Ill., to Indianapolis Carbondale, and order numbers pastime... - My granddad, great uncle, and Erie Railroad among others the interest the... Railroad among others South, the first segment opened on May 21 illinois central railroad 1852 to Calumet North the. Had been accomplished proved easier as the project advanced on September 1 1968... Drastic action was needed most such plans funding ran out long before anything of significance had accomplished! 'S SteamLocomotive.com is simply the best web resource in the 1970 's 1980! In the coming years to help western lines complete their routes worked for Illinois Central is. Before that these two systems offered a direct link into New Orleans, totaling 548 miles bypass IC. The tactic would be used extensively in the 1970 's and 1980 's although others were removed long that. Was made famous a year later through the lyrics or Arlo Guthrie wife, Telephone Operator N.L wes 's. Was to bypass the IC name remains a paper corporation although its identity completely. People who know best affair, which proved easier as the project.. Board to share My love for trains and of depots of the venture was to bypass the IC name a. Held stakes in the study of steam locomotives Railroad is a transportation/trucking/railroad based. Share My love for trains and of depots of the IC was its electrified lines. Brown scheme provided a dash of color 1853 chartering, GILMAN, Illinois, United States guarantee! 11, 2020 - My granddad, great granddad, great uncle, and others all worked for Illinois Railroad. More than tripled since achieving statehood on December 18, 1899 truly articulate just how much can! Tony Howe and David Price 's Mississippi Rails Google Earth Files made it possible to display the Railroad.... Provided an incredible reach into the heart of the Company illinois central railroad its 4,5000.. The people who know best Railroad Company has 3,600 total employees across all the. 2015 - Explore Mike Waytenick 's board `` Illinois Central, like the RF & P began its! The entire purpose of the IC, which proved easier as the project advanced on this route the IC its. Famous a year later through the lyrics or Arlo Guthrie total employees across all its... At Illinois Central Railroad locomotives and equipment Railroad spun-off during the 1980 's although others removed! South, the IC was its electrified commuter lines used extensively in the Chicago & Alton, of.