The Rise and Fall of Illinois Central Railroad

Born from a vision to connect Illinois' north and south, the Illinois Central Railroad rose in the 1850s, fueled by land grants and a booming economy. Its tracks stretched across the state, fostering the growth of cities and industries. It became a prominent player, hauling not only passengers but also the lifeblood of the nation: grain, coal, and manufactured goods. However, the 20th century brought new challenges. Competition from other transportation modes, coupled with economic downturns and mismanagement, chipped away at the railroad's dominance. By the late 1990s, the Illinois Central, once a symbol of progress, merged with another struggling railroad, marking the end of an era. Its legacy lives on in the infrastructure that still crisscrosses the landscape, a testament to a time when the iron horse ruled the American heartland.

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» DISCLAIMER

» CREDIT
Scriptwriter - Gregory Back
Editor - Karolina Szwata
Host - Ryan Socash
Music/Sound Design: Dave Daddario

» NOTICE
Some images may be used for illustrative purposes only - always reflecting the accurate time frame and content. Events of factual error / mispronounced word/spelling mistakes - retractions will be published in this section.

[JohnGunther-hu]

Lived on a farm growing up on the Kankakee to Bloomington line. Train rolled right past our front yard. Loved running out to wave at engineers, put pennies on the tracks, count the cars. I miss IC

[mrAhollandjr]

One important thing to mention. In the mid 1920s, the residents along the southern Lakefront in Hyde Park ( Vhicago] complained about the smoke from the trains. The Illinois Central response was to elecate the traxks from 47th Street south and then Separated the commuter trains from the freight trains. Tge IC electrified the commuter train service which operated on different tracks from the freight trains and ling distance service. This elimibated conflucts and today is still the onky commuter lube that operates on separate tracks from the freight and Amtrak servuces.

[garydean]

I lived in Centralia for 10 years. I remember when IC was bought out by CN. It was a bit of a shock. Both Lincoln and McClellan stayed at the Centralia House, probably not at the same time. It was the premier hotel at that time.

[FarmerJimmyJoe]

I grew up in East Hazel Crest where the IC had it's Markham Yards. They had 3 hump yards there and their big engine facilities. That's now called Woodcrest Shops ( combination od Homewood and East Hazel Crest). I rode the IC from Homewood to Champaign to the University of Illinois in the late 1960's, they used light weight and heavy weight cars and pulled by those great E9 engines. If they were running late they would leave Kankakee and do 100 mph down to Champaign, cars would shake and the conductor would always say" we'll make up some time now". Railfanned the IC for many years and took rolls of 35mm slides. Such were some great times. It truly is / was a one of a kind railroad. Nice video.

[uhlijohn]

In one Illinois Central case that Abe Lincoln handled successfully, he presented a legal bill to the IC for $5, 000! That was probably the largest fee ever demanded by a lawyer up until that time. I recall that the IC balked at paying it so Lincoln sued. The IC lawyer, if my memory serves me, did not show up in court so Lincoln won by default. Also, George B. McClellan, Lincoln's chief general during the early part of the Civil War and his nemesis, became a president of the IC before war broke out.

[randycox]

My grandpa retired from the IC as a Forman.., he raised five children with grandma and they were always being relocated from one place to another while he overseen Maintenance of Way workers during the Great Depression
They had some good stories about that as they got older

[dwoods]

My father worked for the IC. Office was in Chicago, but spent a lot of time at the Woodcrest shops which is where the CN’s US headquarters is at now. Drive by there every day. Miss the IC days.

[bonniewills]

Will forever be remembered for The City of New Orleans train (Thanks, Arlo!)

[DavidUrban-yc]

I lived in Elmhurst Illinois which is right along the Iowa Division of the Illinois Central which was the first look i got of trains and the Illinois Central railroad was always one of my favorite Railroad lines. Thanks for posting this. Have a blessed weekend everyone

[rivitedrailfan]

Great video! The IC is my favorite railroad (Possibly obviously by the green diamond logo that I made my logo as well lol) I’ve railfanned on the CN/IC for a while now, amd it’s always cool to see people actually give it some attention lol. It should be noted that while the ICRR is gone, many parts of it still 😊exist. The company still exists on paper, meaning all old IC units have to be patched because they still don’t technically fully belong to CN. Employees still get IC branded things as well. And there’s still a good few ICRR painted locomotives out there running around CN lines!

[TheGbelcher]

The only problem with this channel is it doesn’t release content everyday.

This is great stuff!

[jetsons]

Nothing like a video on vintage rail, a very enjoyable watch. Ryan, thanks for your time, work and

[dennisingalls]

I was hired by ICRR in the late 60s. Thought I had found a really good job with a future. However, despite working very hard to be a good railroad worker I was laid off on day89. I would have had a permanent position on day 90. So much for a “good job with a good future “

[mic-drop-]

12:17 This photo blows me away as a 97'-current IC conductor. I'm not a railfan but love history and this photo is crazy. This is the view of the south end of Markham Yard. The building the middle is our current 2024 carman shanty (different new building but same location). The track with the caboose is the MIT lead, steam loco is the F yard ladder, the train to the left is on the 8 lead and the track left of the building is our current 12 pocket. This is how much Markham Yard hasn't changed in 60+ years. That cross over infront of the carman shanty was recently put back... for my first 23 years it wasn't here LOL. The Homewood water tower still there along with the yard tower light which is long out of service but still around.

[bigj]

I still run intermodal freight through one of old IC route, which is now part of Canadian National

[Steven_Williams]

This was my favorite rail line as a child. I used to travel with my grandmother one The City of New Orleans from the 63rd and Woodlawn station to the south.

[jimjohnstonreviewstheworld]

Oh man. I grew up taking the IC Rock Island line from New Lenox to downtown to go hang out around the loop. Late 1990’s. Good safe times.

[JenniferinIllinois]

I have the old IC main line through Bloomington/Normal turned bike trail in my back yard.

[OriginalBongoliath]

You forgot to mention this was the railroad Casey Jones worked on that made him a railroad legend.

Also, possibly the only railroad where meat trains had priority over passenger trains whereas most railroads had freight yield to passengers. It was mostly true here except the meat had priority.

[Siph_Maned_Wolf]

5:31 these pictures are absolutely beautiful!! Assuming it’s professional film photography, it really is like seeing a window into the past. So cool!