http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=82220 Who ever thought I would see a pair of IC E9(A)'s in 2004? [:)][:D] The two beautiful engines, numbers 101 and 100, were taking the president and his passengers to the Fighting Illini Football Game in Champaign! It sure was a special and rare treat to see these beautiful engines idling in Homewood Yard! WOW! [:)][:D] Thanks for looking!
I know it’s been a year, but I have to comment : That is a very nice photo!
I think these units are in CN colors now, aren’t they?
They really looked super in their natural habitat:
Double tracked main line between Chicago and New Orleans. doing tripple digits through the Mississippi Delta night at the head of the all Pulman, Panama Limited.
It did not get much better than that! [8D][8D][8D][8D][8D]
Sam
Sam,
I read in one of my books that IC passenger trains were still hitting 100 mph speeds as late as 1968! That is amazing!
Sad that just a few years later Amtrak had to struggle to maintain 70+ mph on mainlines that were no longer as well maintained…
GOD NO!!
CN pressed them into freight service following Katrina. May still be, I dont know.
I was in 101 2 years ago.
I hate to be picky but CN has COLOURS![B)] I know, I know, I am sorry bless the starving pygmies in New Guinea amen.[B)][V]
WTH?
How many of those does CN own, because I do remember seeing at least one in CN paint.
Thanks, guys! I’m glad that you like the photo. [:)] Take care. Nick
So when speaking of the TFM railroad would you prefer the comments be in spanish?[?] As always ENJOY
IC bought 100 & 101 in 1995. They were ex- CB & Q, exx- Metra units. THe 102 & 103 were bought in 1996 and were also from CB&Q/Metra. When CN acquired IC ,102 & 103 were repainted in green,black and gold till 2004 when they were repainted in the current CN colour scheme. There was also a 5th unit but it was sold for scrap.
Antonio:
I can vouch for them[IC] at least through June, 1966, which was the last trip I rode Illinois Centeral south of Memphis [Wedding Trip]. The track was well maintained and still double tracked [ IC called themselves "The Mainline of Mid-America], the Panama was fast and the City of New Orleans was also pretty quick, also].
In railroad circles around Memphis, there was a ‘story’ that circulated about the Panama, “… there were towns in the Delta, where the gong on the crossing guards would only get half cocked before the Panama was already through town…”[}:)].
I was fortunate to get a cab ride at one point ,it was a real eye opener, and they went north and south each night of the week, keeping that schedule. What an operation that they ran[:)]. I guess those days are long gone.
Sam