Uploaded September 2007 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
North
Explore the exciting northern half of the Illinois Central Railroad from the industrial Chicago area through pastoral Illinois farmlands to the rural scenes of Fulton, Kentucky. Pentrex takes you on a journey down the main line where you'll see locals, switch jobs, through-freights, and fast intermodal trains hard at work. The IC intersects with a variety of other railroads on its southward trek and we'll spend time viewing Union Pacific, Conrail, Norfolk Southern, CSX, and Burlington Northern trains at these diamonds.
Train symbols are provided to enhance your understanding of how the Illinois Central fits together as a system. The coverage is indicated by mile markers, and maps of each district help to identify what part of the line is being presented. A rundown of IC's current diesel roster explains what types of units are in use today. There are even a few surprises in store as extremely rare diesels make an appearance!
The Illinois Central has proven to be a very profitable railroad and is a survivor in today's era of mega-mergers. Here's your opportunity to observe the action along the "Main Line of Mid-America" and to appreciate what for many has been a well kept secret!
Today's Illinois Central Volume II
South
Visit the southern half of the Illinois Central Railroad as Pentrex takes you on an eye opening trip of discovery. The secrets of the IC unfold as our travels take you from Fulton, Kentucky to New Orleans. Watch heavy grain and long mixed freights, locals switching pulpwood lots, fast intermodals, and trains with long strings of tank cars from the famous "chemical coast" polishing the rails.
Along the way you'll cross western Tennessee to Memphis, then into the state of Mississippi. Trains are followed down the length of the famous Delta country where you'll see how the IC has rebuilt the line into a modern transportation artery. Excitement builds as trains are seen climbing the hills south of Yazoo City to reach Jackson. Between Jackson and New Orleans many beautiful old passenger stations still line the route and the charm of the South is evident as the rails pass through quaint, small hamlets.
Informative maps and train symbols are displayed to help identify the different parts of the system. It's a fantastic piece of railroad just waiting to be discovered. Hop on board as we depart for a rewarding trip down the southern half of the "Main Line of Mid-America!"
North
Explore the exciting northern half of the Illinois Central Railroad from the industrial Chicago area through pastoral Illinois farmlands to the rural scenes of Fulton, Kentucky. Pentrex takes you on a journey down the main line where you'll see locals, switch jobs, through-freights, and fast intermodal trains hard at work. The IC intersects with a variety of other railroads on its southward trek and we'll spend time viewing Union Pacific, Conrail, Norfolk Southern, CSX, and Burlington Northern trains at these diamonds.
Train symbols are provided to enhance your understanding of how the Illinois Central fits together as a system. The coverage is indicated by mile markers, and maps of each district help to identify what part of the line is being presented. A rundown of IC's current diesel roster explains what types of units are in use today. There are even a few surprises in store as extremely rare diesels make an appearance!
The Illinois Central has proven to be a very profitable railroad and is a survivor in today's era of mega-mergers. Here's your opportunity to observe the action along the "Main Line of Mid-America" and to appreciate what for many has been a well kept secret!
Today's Illinois Central Volume II
South
Visit the southern half of the Illinois Central Railroad as Pentrex takes you on an eye opening trip of discovery. The secrets of the IC unfold as our travels take you from Fulton, Kentucky to New Orleans. Watch heavy grain and long mixed freights, locals switching pulpwood lots, fast intermodals, and trains with long strings of tank cars from the famous "chemical coast" polishing the rails.
Along the way you'll cross western Tennessee to Memphis, then into the state of Mississippi. Trains are followed down the length of the famous Delta country where you'll see how the IC has rebuilt the line into a modern transportation artery. Excitement builds as trains are seen climbing the hills south of Yazoo City to reach Jackson. Between Jackson and New Orleans many beautiful old passenger stations still line the route and the charm of the South is evident as the rails pass through quaint, small hamlets.
Informative maps and train symbols are displayed to help identify the different parts of the system. It's a fantastic piece of railroad just waiting to be discovered. Hop on board as we depart for a rewarding trip down the southern half of the "Main Line of Mid-America!"
