A Centralia Car Shops H.O Scale model of a 1970's era Illinois Central Gulf Railroad orange side door caboose.

A Centralia Car Shops H.O Scale model of a 1970's era Illinois Central Gulf Railroad orange side door caboose., a photo by Eddie from Chicago on Flickr.

I took this photograph last week Wednsday night, at the Oak Park Society of Model Engineers,H.O Scale Model Railroad Club in Oak Park Illinois.

Being born and raised on the near southwest side of Chicago many years ago, the former Illinois Central Gulf Railroad, is one I fondly remember seeing almost daily during the 1970's and 80's.

These old steam era steel side door cabooses from the former Illinois Central (Pre 1972) were a common sight bringing up the rear on many an ICG local freight operating on the former I.C Iowa Division Mainline, and on the former G,M & O after merger in 1972.

Several of these were set aside for preservation upon retirement. There is a former Illinois Central side door caboose like this model restored to it's original I.C pre 1967 red color scheme, at the Illinois Railway Museum in Union Illinois. Another former I.C steel side door caboose like this model, is also preserved at the Fox River Trolley Museum in South Elgin Illinois on display.

Thanks.
Eddie K.