Need some help on this one! It looks like this short line got a new LOCO. Possibly yet another GP-10 to go along with the other 3. Can anyone clarify this for me?
If you actually know something about this railroad, might as well post it. Not too many people know about it.
Except if you live in a town serviced by it.
In Metcalf and Neoga Illinois
Good site for more info:
www.illinirail.com/eirc/
Here's what you'd find if you did a Google search:
http://www.illinirail.com/eirc/
Which says, in part:
The Eastern Illinois Railroad Company (EIRC) operates a former Nickel Plate line between Neoga and Metcalf, IL, a distance of 53 miles. Connections are made with the CN at Neoga and the CSX at Metcalf. The line was sold by the Norfolk Southern in 1988 to NRG, Inc. which contracted with Indiana Hi-Rail to operate the line from May 1988 until March 1991. EIRC then took over operations in April 1991 as a subsidiary of NRG, Inc.Traffic is primarily grain, lumber and plastic.
The line dates to the early 1880's when is was built as the narrow gauge Toledo, Cincinnati & St. Louis Railroad. It later was named the Toledo, St. Louis & Western (aka the Clover Leaf), which became part of the Nickel Plate in 1923. Nickel Plate was latter merged into the Norfolk & Western, which merged with the Southern Railroad to become Norfolk Southern.
That is what I thought you were referring to.
I have rail faned this line many of times, though I have never found a train. You can really observe its shortline ancestory with some of the tight curves--especially north of Charleston. I would like to know how often trains go to Metcaff? How many cars it hauls per year, etc.
I have often thought that it was ideal for more traffic, in that Charelston was an ideal town for an ethenol plant or some other industry like that.
I have seen its power siting idle at Neoga . . . not much of a yard.
Gabe
CrazyDelmar wrote: Good site for more info: www.illinirail.com/eirc/
P.S. I like the Illinois Terminal engine on your picture. I was 7 when the IT went under, but can just barely remember its last days when it used to take the IC through Litchfield to compensate for some of its bad track. What I would give to go back in time and watch some of its operations. It was a really neat railroad.
gabe wrote: That is what I thought you were referring to. I have rail faned this line many of times, though I have never found a train. You can really observe its shortline ancestory with some of the tight curves--especially north of Charleston. I would like to know how often trains go to Metcaff? How many cars it hauls per year, etc. I have often thought that it was ideal for more traffic, in that Charelston was an ideal town for an ethenol plant or some other industry like that. I have seen its power siting idle at Neoga . . . not much of a yard. Gabe
Trains dont go to Metcalf that often, but if they do, it only with a few cars. One of the best places to see trains on this line is in Oakland. There is a major ADM grain elevator there.They will put several cuts of cars on the main north of town, and spend the next few days switching there. They tend to do this once a month on a Friday. Scanner Frequency: 160.815
I took that picture at IRM'S Diesel Days this summer
Gabe: Ever noticed the relationship between EIRC and IAIS, especially the people?
ps- at Gilman, keep an eye on the former cornfield in the SW quadrant of the crossing, west of the switcher in the grain elevator and the farce passenger platform.
mudchicken wrote: Gabe: Ever noticed the relationship between EIRC and IAIS, especially the people? ps- at Gilman, keep an eye on the former cornfield in the SW quadrant of the crossing, west of the switcher in the grain elevator and the farce passenger platform.
I am sad to say I have not noticed. Please, fill me in. That sounds interesting. As far as the southwest quadrant, that is where the IC's Sprinfield sub comes in right? I know there is some kind of plant there that does ethenol or something like that. What exactly is it that I should be keeping an eye on?
(1) The people names are in both family trees, but the companies stay at arm's length and are not directly associated with each other in an odd way.
(2) The cornfield (no more)all the way over to the Springfield Sub and the interstate and down to almost US-24 will be a major rail served industrial park. RailAmerica having fits getting into the place through the IC interlocking on TP&W R/W.
"As far as the southwest quadrant, that is where the IC's Springfield sub comes in right? I know there is some kind of plant there that does ethanol or something like that."
That's a soybean processing plant operated by Incobrasa Industries, not an ethanol plant
DPJ
[:DThere was an article in the Charleston Il Newspapaer (Times Courier) over the weekend that a Company from AZ I believe wanted to build an ethanol plant in Charleston. The plant would be located on the site of the old Trailmobile Plant. Which is right next to the EIRC's mainline. Rail access is very important to new ethanol plants.
Then another article was about a company wanting to build a coal gasification plant in Oakland.
So it looks like the EIRC may have a bright future with lots of new traffic.
Rob
Watching a YouTube vid on the Eastern Illinois running on its ”second division.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_Pqtv_rlKAIs the 2nd div contiguous with the rest of the railroad or located elsewhere, can’t find any references.Thanks in advance.
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