Today's Illinois Central Volume I & 2

North

Explore the exciting northern half of the Illinois Central Railroad from the industrial Chicago area through pastoral Illinois farmlands to the rural scenes of Fulton, Kentucky. Pentrex takes you on a journey down the main line where you'll see locals, switch jobs, through-freights, and fast intermodal trains hard at work. The IC intersects with a variety of other railroads on its southward trek and we'll spend time viewing Union Pacific, Conrail, Norfolk Southern, CSX, and Burlington Northern trains at these diamonds.

Train symbols are provided to enhance your understanding of how the Illinois Central fits together as a system. The coverage is indicated by mile markers, and maps of each district help to identify what part of the line is being presented. A rundown of IC's current diesel roster explains what types of units are in use today. There are even a few surprises in store as extremely rare diesels make an appearance!

The Illinois Central has proven to be a very profitable railroad and is a survivor in today's era of mega-mergers. Here's your opportunity to observe the action along the "Main Line of Mid-America" and to appreciate what for many has been a well kept secret!

Today's Illinois Central Volume II

South

Visit the southern half of the Illinois Central Railroad as Pentrex takes you on an eye opening trip of discovery. The secrets of the IC unfold as our travels take you from Fulton, Kentucky to New Orleans. Watch heavy grain and long mixed freights, locals switching pulpwood lots, fast intermodals, and trains with long strings of tank cars from the famous "chemical coast" polishing the rails.

Along the way you'll cross western Tennessee to Memphis, then into the state of Mississippi. Trains are followed down the length of the famous Delta country where you'll see how the IC has rebuilt the line into a modern transportation artery. Excitement builds as trains are seen climbing the hills south of Yazoo City to reach Jackson. Between Jackson and New Orleans many beautiful old passenger stations still line the route and the charm of the South is evident as the rails pass through quaint, small hamlets.

Informative maps and train symbols are displayed to help identify the different parts of the system. It's a fantastic piece of railroad just waiting to be discovered. Hop on board as we depart for a rewarding trip down the southern half of the "Main Line of Mid-America!"

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• illinois
• central
• pentrex
• main
• line
• train
• railroad
• sd70
• emd
• ge

[MDSerles]

Man, 1017 was lookin good! I wish they still used the Bluford Sub down here in Southern, IL as frequent as they used to. Down to less than 10 a day.

[RacoCooper]

I'm getting sick of how CN is absorbing smaller railroads like the UP did in the 90's.

[rocmaven]

Watseka Theatre watseka illinois great concerts in 2011;

Sept 3 Jerrod Niemann ; Oct 14 The Outlaws

[Spyda0Jones]

The only places to see these lovely steel beasts are in movies, books, or model railroading. I for one am not proud of canadians stealing a beloved railroad in my own backyard and do nothing about it. at least the U.P. painted one of their new diesel in the colors of one of illinois defunct railroad whereas the CN isnt doing anything. no wonder no one wanna build anything in canada.

[TezJ16]

Great video! Not sure if anyone else has noticed this but the lead engine at 1:47, IC 6060, is the locomotive that hit that CRST truck and caused that pileup in Chicago years ago.

[rocmaven]

Watseka Theatre Watseka Illinois is a beautiful 1931 art deco 375 seat theatre that has great concerts in 2011; Marty Stuart on July 2; Bellamy Brothers on July 15; Josh Thompson on August 5; Ricky Skaggs on August 26.

[mercenary454]

like other things in our country, canadian railroads are starting to gobble up us railroads........i dont approve.

[nkproad777]

Dam you CN!

[CSX6000]

Looks like a great video! I've always been intrigued by the IC!

[gaycowboy31]

I will miss the IC another CN casualty it just doesnt look right being all CN now hell neither does the EJ&E

[ce550b]

The smaller railroads can't make it, if they were they wouldn't be for sale.

[AIRPLANEMAN1965]

The old depot was torn down along this stretch of track in downtown Yazoo City, Ms. My hometown just 40 miles NNW of Jackson, Ms. What a shame. However, this same track, is the main line that runs from New Orleans, Jackson, Yazoo City, Greenwood, Memphis, and Chicago for CN, and Amtrak's "City of New Orleans." Very, very heavy rail traffic, for freight trains as well as Amtrak.