Former New York Central Railroad Tunnel at Tunnel Hill, Illinois
David Cantrell, February 2020
Southern Illinois Railroads
A collection of Southern Illinois Railroad history has been assembled by David Cantrell to preserve the memories of an era that only a few can now recall. Railroad construction began in the mid-1800's across the southern Illinois area. By the end of the century, rails connected the Illinois, Ohio, Mississippi, and Wabash Rivers. Coal and oil fields as well as agriculture products and lumber motivated investment that benefited rural areas and towns along railways. Passenger trains transported rural residents to the larger towns where doctors, supplies, and entertainment were available.
Highlights of the site include the B&O Springfield Division, L&N Shawneetown Branch, a roundhouse map and list, milepost list, railroad maps, the 1937 flood, and the War Emergency Pipeline Terminal at Norris City. If you have any information to share please reach out via the Contact Page. Advertisements are not present on the site nor is income generated from the content.
Marion Illinois Central Depot 2018
David Cantrell
Southern Illinois Depot List
The list of depots contained on the website can be searched and sorted. Some locations from the neighboring states are also available.
Cairo NYC Railroad Yard During 1937 Flood
National Archives
Southern Illinois Roundhouse List
A collection of roundhouse locations has been created by extending a couple of existing lists with additional sites in the tri-state area.
Parker City Illinois Central Brige
Bob Poos 1956
David Cantrell 2019
Then and Now Railroad Photos
Some remnants remain in Southern Illinois of the previous railroad infrastructure. Several photo collages have been created to highlight the way they were and the appearance now.
Junction L&N Depot, 1937 Flood
H O Turner Photo Collection
1937 Flood in Southeastern Illinois
The Flood of 1937 was a devastating disaster that impacted southeastern Illinois. A brief history has been compiled including railroad photos from around the area.
First Train of Oil Departs Norris City
Norris City Museum
War Emergency Pipeline Terminal
Norris City, Illinois was the midwest terminal for the War Emergency Pipeline. It transferred oil to rail cars until the pipeline was completed to the east coast.
Two Steam Locomotives at Flora Depot 1910
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad
The Baltimore & Ohio railroad linked the Illinois River at Beardstown with the Ohio at Shawneetown.
Locomotive #1 at Equality, IL
Courtesy of Gallatin County Historical Society
Louisville and Nashville Railroad
The Louisville & Nashville railroad joined the Mississippi at East St. Louis with the Ohio River at Shawneetown and Wabash River at Maunie.
New York Central Railroad Locomotive at Harrisburg Coal Mine
Harrisburg City Building
Big 4 (New York Central) Railroad
The Big 4 Railroad ran from Cairo to Vincennes across southern Illinois connecting with the Ohio, Mississippi, and Wabash Rivers.
SIR&P Company Car Number 56
The Smaller Electric Railways of Illinois by Central Electric Railfans’ Association
Southern Illinois Railway & Power Company
An electric railway ran from Eldorado to Carrier Mills for twenty years.
Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Steam Locomotive
Chicago, Burlington
& Quincy Railroad
According to the Williamson County Historical Society, the Northern and Southern Railroad connected Herrin to Centralia in 1906. The CB & Q purchased the line in 1908.
Chicago & Eastern Illinois Steam Locomotive
Chicago & Eastern
Illinois Railroad
The C&EI's earliest line ran from Evansville to Terre Haute, Indiana. Terre Haute soon linked with Chicago, Chicago with Danville, and Danville to St. Louis. In the early 1890's, the C&EI constructed track to reach the coal fields of southern Illinois.
Illinois Central Steam Locomotive
Illinois Central
Railroad
Charted in 1851, the Illinois Central Railroad linked Chicago to the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers at Cairo.
Southern Railway Steam Locomotive
Southern Railway
The Southern Railway in Illinois connected East St. Louis to Mount Carmel. The main line continued on to Louisville, KY. Some mileposts for the Evansville Division are also included.
Santa Fe 2319 in Snow
David Cantrell
Mayberry Township Train
The Santa Fe Railroad purchased twelve Alco HH-1000 switchers and deployed them to the west coast. Some were deactivated by Precision in Mt. Vernon, IL. The home of Santa Fe #2319 has been Mayberry Township since the early 1970's.