A former Gulf,mobile & Ohio locomotive leads a 1970's era Illinois Central Gulf train across the river. The Oak Park Society of Model Engineers,H.O Scale Model Railroad Club. Oak Park Illinois. October 2013.

A former Gulf,mobile & Ohio locomotive leads a 1970's era Illinois Central Gulf train across the river. The Oak Park Society of Model Engineers,H.O Scale Model Railroad Club. Oak Park Illinois. October 2013., a photo by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

There is nothing like recreating a lost scene from the 1970's era in H.O scale.

I grew up on the near southwest side of Chicago during this time, and I fondly remember the now fallen flag Illinois Central Gulf Railroad as it was back then.

This railroad was created from the August 10th, 1972 merger of the Illinois Central, and the former Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroads. Although the Illinois Central had the obvious controlling interest in the whole thing, as new paint jobs found locomotives painted in the I.C's orange and white color scheme with Illinois Central Gulf markings and the I.C split rail 1967 logo, and cars were painted in a solid I.C orange color scheme with ICG markings and also the split rail logo.

However...several former G,M & O locomotives and cars rolled around for several years in original 1960's era and earlier factory paint schemes in to the mid to late 1980's.

My train seen here, represents a mid 1970's era ICG train with a former and yet unrepainted G,M & O EMD GP 38-2 roadswitcher in late 1960's era colors up front.

That 70's Railroad indeed.

Thanks.
Eddie K.