Early 1970's era Illinois Central Gulf Railroad caboose hop. December 2011.

Early 1970's era Illinois Central Gulf Railroad caboose hop. December 2011., a photo by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

I took this photograph last year, at the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers,H.O Scale Model Railroad Club.

Seen here are my Life Like Proto 2000 EMD SW 9 yard switcher painted in pre 1967 Illinois Central Railroad colors and markings, and my Centrailia Car Shops model of a former Illinois Central steam era side door steel caboose, wearing the post 1972 markings of the succesor company Illinois Central Gulf.

I was born and raised on the near southwest side of Chicago during the 1960's, 70's and 80's eras. I can fondly recall seeing ICG switcher and caboose combinations like this, one mile south of where I lived, working the former Illinois Central's Iowa Division Mainline, or the former Gulf, Mobile & Ohio mainline south of the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal.

Thanks to model railroading, you can recreate those long gone railfan memories of your youth in miniature.

Thanks.
Eddie K.