Producer: Mary McPherson
Locations: Carbondale, Centralia, Champaign, Edgewood Cut-Off, Tuscola
Timeframe: 1938 – 1998
Length: 2 hours
Sources: George Redmond, Kurt Jensen, Mary McPherson, Tom Dunn
Covering 60 years of Illinois Central history. Geographically, this is mainly in downstate Illinois.
The single DVD-R contains a Chapter Menu. Plenty of on-screen graphics. No maps. Narrated by Mary McPherson.
Audio is natural sound on the contemporary sections. The vintage films have a mixture of, train sounds and music. Some extra attention to detail on the train sounds.
To the Trains… 👉
The 1938 film is black and white. Appears to have been filmed by someone, with approved access. Also, some amateur, 1950s color film. This from the Transition Era. Quick glimpse of Chicago, a few trains.
The highlight is excellent color film from the 1960s. This small collection, from the Champaign area. Most from near the tower and yard lead. Slow speeds allow good views. Some from the tower! GP9 locomotives, in original and new repaints. Rebuilt Geeps, as well.
There are several passenger trains. Various viewpoints. Above is, The Shawnee. Viewed from Champaign Tower. Find a rare E6. Inquire within…
Moving with a big leap forward. Well into the late Illinois Central Gulf era. Familiar George Redmond, with unreleased video! Nice, clean footage.
Raunchy looking power, was part of the rolling museum, of the 1980s Illinois Central Gulf. The GM&O sights, were incredible! Not included here.
The gray/orange scheme, was the 1979 ICG answer to heavy weathering. Unique to the railroad, SD20 locomotive.
Tuscola, has a tower in it’s final years. A significant amount of time spent here. Inside tower visit.
Rare territory is the Edgewood Cut-Off. Coal and grain were always money.
Excellent night scenes in this show.
Amtrak at a station. The reflective surfaces are great, for under the lights. City of New Orleans. Mary’s run!
Laughed at that closing piece!!
The Illinois Central does have some tunnels. This one is on the rarely filmed Edgewood Cut-Off in 1998, by Tom Dunn.
At Edgewood. Train symbol MECR is Memphis to Conrail, at Effingham. More frequent SD70 appearances, signal that we are approaching the end, for the Illinois Central Railroad. The Stop sign foreshadows the roads future.
The venerable IC side door caboose. Mainline of Mid America slogan. Some of these served, into ICG paint. Classics!
Sixty Years Along the Illinois Central.
The show meets it’s advertised. Vintage films are very worthwhile. The 1960s film is excellent. ICG update is very good video. The later 1990s video, is even better.
Fast paced. An enjoyable look, at the Illinois Central. Action is around Southern Illinois. This Heritage Series, is their best release!
Rating: 5 Stars
American Train Video Reviews 