I've been meaning for some time to try this panoramic shot of Amtrak #301 stopping at the Springfield depot from the top of the municipal parking garage.

UP local backing out of their yard in Springfield,IL, past the control point formally known as Ridgely. Ridgely Tower, the last true Armstrong lever interlocking tower in the United States, at the... (more)

Nicely equipped and beautifully maintained. Check out those switch target lamps. We miss them.

The 31 emerges from one of the car shop buildings after spotting the RIP (repair in place) track. This is about as close as you're going to get to a "tunnel" shot in Central Illinois.

Amtrak #301 rolls south down the now infamous "Third Street Corridor". Some say that this rail line was created by Beelzebub while God was resting on the 7th day. None of these people, however,... (more)

Sunset Route: A pair of matching Scarlet and Grey Espee GP60's thread thru the crossovers at Hazel Dell as the sun prepares the slip below the western horizon. Amazingly, SP 9721 remains u... (more)

Chicago to KC train has come down the former IC and is about to cross N&W (Wabash) in northeast Springfield. In a few minutes it will curve onto a section of former IT trackage to cut across Sprin... (more)

Multi-generational railfans watch SP runthrough intermodal train passing Iles Tower on its way down the former GM&O to St Louis.

The Springfield Local tip-toes down to the signal at CN Connection waiting for the NS dispatcher to line the train up so that the crew can work the Midstates potash plant.

Local D31 sits at the west end of Shops waiting for MOW to clear up and #398 to head east so that they can double their train together and head west to Bluffs and Naples.

D37 heads back east to Decatur engines light with a pair, yes a pair, of SD70M-2's. The Roundhouse in Decatur must be getting desperate for 4-axle power. D37 had these two grain shuttle S... (more)

Lincoln Service train #301 passes the Illinois State Capitol after making its station stop in downtown Springfield.

Ridgely Tower's General Railway Signal Co. interlocking machine awaits dis-assembly only hours after the tower was demolished.

The Texas Eagle passes Ridgely Tower on the last full day of its existence. The tower was torn down at 8:00 AM on August 8, 2011.

NS D37 heads south to I&M's Shops Yard as it passes the classic searchlight home signal at North Grand Avenue.