The Oak Park Society of Model Engineers H.O Scale Model Railroad Club. Oak Park Illinois USA. July 2011.

The Oak Park Society of Model Engineers H.O Scale Model Railroad Club. Oak Park Illinois USA. July 2011., a photo by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

I took this photo during a recent July 2011 visit to The Oak Park Society of Model Engineers, H.O Scale Model Railroad Club.

One railroad that was very synonimous with the south and southwest sides of the city of Chicago Illinois, was the Illinois Central, and the 1972 succesor railroad Illinois Central Gulf.

I grew up on the southwest side of Chicago, and lived approximately one mile north of the Illinois Central's Iowa Division Mainline, as well as the former Gulf, Mobile & Ohio mainline on the southside of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal.

My locomotive shown here, is a Life Like Proto 2000 EMD SW 9 yard switcher, decorated in pre 1967 Illinois Central colors and markings. The bright orange Illinois Central box cars coupled to the engine, are wearing the "New Image" livery introduced by the Illinois Central in 1967.

On the rear of the train, is a an Athearn Gulf, Mobile & Ohio wide vision caboose, wich I use to represent the early days of the I.C / G,M & O merger of 1972.

I remember these trains quiete well growing up on the southwest side of Chicago during the 1970's.

Thanks.
Eddie K.