10 Facts About Illinois Central

1.

Illinois Central Railroad, sometimes called the Main Line of Mid-America, was a railroad in the Central United States, with its primary routes connecting Chicago, Illinois, with New Orleans, Louisiana, and Mobile, Alabama.

FactSnippet No. 2,279,261
2.

Illinois Central was incorporated by the Illinois General Assembly on January 16,1836.

FactSnippet No. 2,279,262
3.

The Illinois Central was the first land-grant railroad in the United States.

FactSnippet No. 2,279,263
4.

Illinois Central was chartered by the Illinois General Assembly on February 10,1851.

FactSnippet No. 2,279,264
5.

Illinois Central was the major carrier of passengers on its Chicago-to-New Orleans mainline and between Chicago and St Louis.

FactSnippet No. 2,279,265
6.

In 1967, due to losses incurred by the operation of the train, the Illinois Central combined the Panama Limited with a coach-only train called the Magnolia Star.

FactSnippet No. 2,279,266
7.

Illinois Central ran several other trains along the main route including The Creole and The Louisiane.

FactSnippet No. 2,279,267
8.

Illinois Central was a major operator of commuter trains in the Chicago area, operating what eventually became the "IC Electric" line from Randolph Street Terminal in downtown Chicago to the southeast suburbs.

FactSnippet No. 2,279,268
9.

Amtrak, at the state of Illinois Central' request, did a feasibility study to reinstate the Black Hawk route to Rockford and Dubuque.

FactSnippet No. 2,279,269
10.

Some historic equipment owned and used by Illinois Central can be found in museums across the United States, including:.

FactSnippet No. 2,279,270