NS auto train at Springfield, IL (Starne Jct.) 2004

At Starne Junction on the northeast side of Springfield, a westbound NS train on the ex-Wabash crosses the Illinois Central's line that once connected Gilman and St. Louis. This IC line now terminates at Farmersville, just south of Springfield. Power for the NS train is an SD70 and a leased SD45.

Starne Jct. was once a very busy location. At one time, the Illinois Traction System, (later the Illinois Terminal), had a line paralleling the IC out Springfield, which split roughly where I am standing. One line paralleled the Wabash to my right and headed to Decatur and then Danville. The other line swung north and crossed both the Wabash and IC and ran north to Lincoln and then Peoria. Starne Tower stood on the northwest quadrant.

The IT's line to Decatur was abandoned in 1959 in favor of trackage rights on the Wabash, although a segment remained to the east to serve local industries. The line to Lincoln was abandoned in 1961, although a segment remained north to Sherman until 1981.

Category:

Science & Technology

[trycess]

Thank you for sharing your vid! I grew up in Grandview and hung out a lot in Starnes Addition. I am totally interested in the old Illinois Terminal trains from back in the day! I wish I could find more old pics of the I.T. from the Spi area. Nice to look at your vid. Brad B.