Southern Illinois Railway & Power Company Interurban System
Eldorado to Carrier Mills
SIR&P Co. Car Number 56
The Smaller Electric Railways of Illinois by Central Electric Railfans’ Association
Bulletin 99, November, 1955.
Digitizing sponsor: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
SIR&P Company History
In 1912, the Southern Illinois Railway & Power Company began construction of a 1,200 Volt DC interurban (electric) system. Its route spanned 15 miles from Eldorado to Carrier Mills. Towns served by the line besides the endpoints included: Beaulah Heights, Wasson, Muddy, Harrisburg, Dorrisville, and Ledford. Passengers also included coal miners as the line passed near several mines as well. Coal and other freight were transported along the railway. The SIR&P Company operated until 1933 when it was sold to Central Illinois Public Service Company. CIPS discontinued street car operations and abandoned the railway. The power plant continued to operate for several years after the interurban line.
| Timeline |
| - 1913-1918 - Southern Illinois Railway & Power Co. - 1918-1933 - Southern Illinois Railway & Power Co. (Middle West Utilities Co.) - 1933 - Sold to Central Illinois Public Service Company, streetcars discontinued |
| Rail cars |
| Eighteen interurban cars with four GE 75 hp motors from American Car Company |
| Railway |
| - 80 - 100 foot wide right-of-way except in towns - Maximum grade 2.2% - Curves less than 5 degrees - 70 lb. ASCE rails |
| Power Distribution |
| - Pole line - 40 ft. cedar poles spaced 150 ft on tangents - Copper-clad ground wire - 13,000 Volt transmission line - Copper-clad telephone System - Overhead is five-point suspension catenary type with 3/8 in. steel messenger |
|
Electric Railway Journal, April 3, 1915 Electric Traction, July 1912 The Smaller Electric Railways of Illinois by Central Electric Railfans’ Association, Bulletin 99, November, 1955 Digitizing sponsor: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Transit Journal, Volume 41 |
Southern Illinois Railway & Power Company Interurban System Schedule
January 1925
The Smaller Electric Railways of Illinois by Central Electric Railfans’ Association
Bulletin 99, November, 1955.
Digitizing sponsor: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Southern Illinois Railway & Power Company Interurban System Schedule
January 1931
The Smaller Electric Railways of Illinois by Central Electric Railfans’ Association
Bulletin 99, November, 1955.
Digitizing sponsor: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
1917 Southern Illinois Railway & Power Company Equipment Roster
The Official Railway Equipment Register by Railway Equipment and Publication Co
Southern Illinois Railway & Power Company Car #50
The Smaller Electric Railways of Illinois by Central Electric Railfans’ Association
Bulletin 99, November, 1955.
Digitizing sponsor: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Southern Illinois Railway & Power Company Car #51
The Smaller Electric Railways of Illinois by Central Electric Railfans’ Association
Bulletin 99, November, 1955.
Digitizing sponsor: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Southern Illinois Railway & Power Company Car #52
The Smaller Electric Railways of Illinois by Central Electric Railfans’ Association
Bulletin 99, November, 1955.
Digitizing sponsor: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Southern Illinois Railway & Power Company Car #55 and #56
The Smaller Electric Railways of Illinois by Central Electric Railfans’ Association
Bulletin 99, November, 1955.
Digitizing sponsor: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Southern Illinois Railway & Power Company Car #100
The Smaller Electric Railways of Illinois by Central Electric Railfans’ Association
Bulletin 99, November, 1955.
Digitizing sponsor: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Southern Illinois Railway & Power Company Car #110
The Smaller Electric Railways of Illinois by Central Electric Railfans’ Association
Bulletin 99, November, 1955.
Digitizing sponsor: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign