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 a few years ago, at the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers,H.O Scale Model Railroad Club.

I grew up on the near southwest side of Chicago during the 1960's, 70's and 80's.
A railroad that was very dear to my heart, was the former Illinois Central Gulf, which was located approximately one mile south of my residence in my old neighborhood.

The ICG was created from the August 10th, 1972 merger of the Illinois Central, and the Gulf, Mobile & Ohio railroads. The ICG for many years, was a "Rainbow" of a railroad in regards to the many color schemes from both former railroads that took many years to ever get around to repainting. Some of the ICG equipment, featured 1960's era factory paint and markings from both former railroads well in to the 1980's.

Seen here is my older Life Like Proto 2000 Series EMD SW 900 yard switcher diesel locomotive wearing the pre 1967 Illinois Central black and white color scheme with the green diamond corporate logo on the sides of the cab. Coupled behind the locomotive, is a former Illinois Central Railroad steel steam era side door caboose.

The Illinois Central changed it's caboose color scheme in 1967 from a plain solid red with white Illinois Central lettering, to the bright orange with the black Illinois Central lettering, and corporate "Split Rail" logo.

With Illinois Central Gulf markings, this dates this caboose hop to the immediate post merger era approximately 1973 or so.

These caboose hops and locals like mine shown here, were a common sight on the southside of Chicago during the 1970's. They could be seen almost daily on the ICG's former Illinois Central Railroad Iowa Division Mainline, the former Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroad mainline, or especially the former Illinois Central Chicago to New Orleans mainline operating out of Chicago.

Thanks.
Eddie K.