One of C&NW's typically faded yellow bay-window cabs trails a northbound freight headed from St Louis to the mainline at Nelson. The ROW was elevated for quite a distance where the line passed we... (more)

Chicago and Illinois Midland EMD SD18s sit in repose for the night in September 1984, at Springfield, Illinois. This two locomotives, delivered new when built in 1961 and 1962, were the only two S... (more)

Thanks to a fortuitous radio conversation between a BNSF train at Jacksonville and the NS Springfield/Hannibal District dispatcher, I was able to get the jump on this early running #398 and catch ... (more)

The northbound Texas Eagle passes Illinois' State Capitol building as it crosses the very appropriately named Capitol Avenue.

UP's South Local waits for NS #398 on the Illinois & Midland mainline north of Shops while making a run to the "Midland".

Street Running: UP's South Local does a little street running on Springfield's south side, where the tracks literally split 3rd street in two. If Springfield's city fathers have their way,... (more)

I&M 31 North pulls out of the "A" Yard at Shops with a short train headed to Powerton. The 31's orange paint stands in vivid contrast to the gray sky and white snow.

The 31 enjoys a last few minutes of slumber before its next call to duty for the 08:00 Shops Roadswitcher.

Study in EMD Styling: The 31 and 60 sit side-by-side at Shops Yard. Although the RS1325 is quite diminutive compared to the SD18, the cabs and noses of the two locomotives are virtually id... (more)

Fast Fords: NS #145 speeds west thru Springfield with yet another trainload of auto parts for Ford Motor Company's Kansas City Assembly plant.

The Human Factor: Although it was sad to see the tower go, what I really miss are the people that brought the place to life. Here I&M foreman Jim Bottoms and UP operator Bob Phillips pose ... (more)

Operator Mike Myers surveys a rare scene as Amtrak #302 passes Ridgely Tower on the former C&IM mainline. During June 2008 Amtrak and Union Pacific detoured trains thru Springfield over the Illin... (more)

Undefiled SP SD40M-2 8681 leads UP train MBNAS south at Sand Hill Road. This locomotive was rebuilt from N&W SD45 1753 by MK in November 1994.

Amtrak #301 heads south down the NS Pass at Iles. The north crossover at Iles is out of service, forcing all UP traffic off the UP Main until it is repaired.

With the transition to the low-sun season, this nice morning view at Iles Interlocker is now back in play. Here 33J heads west with all 4 motors running elephant-style. BNSF SD70ACe 9218 adds a ... (more)