Illinois Railway GP35 slowly moves west after crossing over the CSX in Ottawa Illinois with a string of covered hoppers.

The IR's SD45 and GP35 head South to Streator.

IR 3500 and 7444 idle away at the Ottawa Shops. About 20 minutes later, they would begin to put a train together for Streator.

IR SD45R 7444 and IR GP35 3500 smoke it up southbound, as engineer Vahey puts the hammer down, approaching a small grade.

The Silica Sand Job heads back to the yard, it's leader looking good in its Fort Worth & Western paint.

HLCX 1027 and NREX 3333 bring their train to US Silica.

IR's 107 arrives at Ottawa.

Former Southern Pacific SD45 No. 7444 has found a new home on the Illinois Railnet, where it currently waits for some work and an assignment in unfamiliar territory. Here, it sits idling in the sh... (more)

A daylight BICB train heads west into Ottawa, crossing the river.

IR 3500 leads the Silica job through town, nearing the entrance to the sand plant.

J745 heads west through Ottawa, powered by a CSX SD40-2 and a CSX C40-8, both still in their YN2 schemes.

Midday layover before return to Chicago. Fans watch as maintenance crew inspect and adjust.

A late running J745 rolls out its final miles as it passes the old Rock Island depot in Ottawa.

The lead engine is pulling all her sisters to a point north of Streator, here all will sadly be cut up. This will be the last trip over live rail for this sextuplets of former Southern Ge's. At le... (more)

The EJ&E ran the Rock Islands line from Joliet to Peoria IL on a 60 day Directed Service order in May and June. The J attempted to buy this line from the Rock's Trustee but B&OCT (Chessie) made ... (more)