Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Eastbound Illinois Central Gulf transfer train approaching the South Kedzie Avenue overpass bridge. Chicago Illinois USA. January 1986.

One of My personal favorite early railfan photos I had taken during the 1980's, is this late day winter scene taken in Chicago's Ashburn neighborhood. An eastbound Illinois Central Gulf transfer train, is seen traveling over the Belt Railway of Chicago trackage just below the South Kedzie Avenue overpass bridge adjacent to the Nabisco factory. ( out of view to the right.)
This orange and white Illinois Central color scheme dates to 1967, and had replaced an older black and white color scheme. ( but not entirely.)
In the early 1980's, ICG began using a somewhat ugly gray and orange color scheme with large orange ICG initials on the sides. When the Illinois Central emerged from bankruptcy after reorganizing and physical plant downsizing around 1987, a new version of the black and white color scheme prevailed, and lasted into the merger with canadian National in 1999. It is now gradually being phased out. Orange Illinois Central Gulf shots were rare for Me back then.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

I love the orange color scheme with the split rail logo. I
miss the 1970's Illinois Central Gulf and the equipment they used.