Early 1980's era Illinois Central Gulf covered hopper in transit. Hawthorne Junction. Chicago /Cicero Illinois USA. June 2008.

I took this photo one late afternoon in June of 2008 at Hawthorne Junction near Cicero Illinois.
I was taking railfan photos on location at the Chicago city limits with good friend and fellow Chicago railfan Anthony C. Seen here is a somewhat faded orange covered hopper from fallen flag railroad Ilinois Central Gulf. The Illinois Central Gulf was created from an October 1972 merger between the Illinois Central Railroad, and the Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroad. This was not a good decision in the long run, as the ICG eventually found itself in bankruptcy. The Illinois Central Gulf orange covered hoppers originally had a big and bold Illinois Central Gulf split rail logo that the Illinois Central began using around 1967, but by 1981...began using this very stripped down and economical ICG lettering instead. The real Illinois Central reorganized around 1987, and soon sold off many of it's former G,M & O lines to new "Spin Off" regional and short line railroads. The Canadian National Railroad merged and bought out the former Illinois Central in 1999. Yet still...You can still find these vintage fallen flag markings and color schemes rolling around today if You observe close enough. This car dates to 1981.