CSX Transportation Historical Society

-->

ICG - Through The Years At Fulton KY -- 08-09-1986 -- Part 2

Rail Fan Adventure --

1. ICG SD40s 6031-6033-6041 cut off from train SE-1 (Chicago to Birmingham) and spotted on the fuel pad at the north end of Fulton Yard on the Cairo District main line. Fulton KY. 08-09-1986.
ICG SD40s 6031-6033-6041 cut off from train SE-1 (Chicago to Birmingham) and spotted on the fuel pad at the north end of Fulton Yard on the Cairo District main line. Fulton KY. 08-09-1986.

2. ICG 6041. Fulton KY.
ICG 6041. Fulton KY.

3. SE-1 couples back up and heads south on the Cairo District main under the Purchase Parkway bridge. ICG Fulton KY.
SE-1 couples back up and heads south on the Cairo District main under the Purchase Parkway bridge. ICG Fulton KY.

4. SE-1 pulls slowly south toward “Downtown.” ICG Fulton KY.
SE-1 pulls slowly south toward “Downtown.” ICG Fulton KY.

5. From the US 45 bridge, SE-1 backs around the connecting track to set off or pick up out of the yard. ICG 6031. Fulton KY.
From the US 45 bridge, SE-1 backs around the connecting track to set off or pick up out of the yard. ICG 6031. Fulton KY.

6. Maybe those steel coils in the EJ&E gons are going from Gary IN, to the USS mill at Fairfield AL. ICG Fulton KY.
Maybe those steel coils in the EJ&E gons are going from Gary IN, to the USS mill at Fairfield AL. ICG Fulton KY.

7. SE-1 approaches “Downtown.” I can’t tell if the Mayfield District still crosses on a diamond or not. ICG Fulton KY.
SE-1 approaches “Downtown.” I can’t tell if the Mayfield District still crosses on a diamond or not. ICG Fulton KY.

8. This is the start of Automatic Block on the Cairo District. The sign on the right denotes the end of the block. ICG Fulton KY.
This is the start of Automatic Block on the Cairo District. The sign on the right denotes the end of the block. ICG Fulton KY.

9. ICG 6033. Fulton KY.
ICG 6033. Fulton KY.

10. ICG 6031. Fulton KY.
CG 6031. Fulton KY.

11. Back over at the yard MC-4 (Memphis to Chicago) was doing some switching. ICG Fulton KY.
Back over at the yard MC-4 (Memphis to Chicago) was doing some switching. ICG Fulton KY.

12. ICG 8061-8739-9605 had charge of MC-4. On the right is the connecting track that SE-1 used. Fulton KY.
ICG 8061-8739-9605 had charge of MC-4. On the right is the connecting track that SE-1 used. Fulton KY.

13. ICG “GP11” 8732 is the yard engine. Fulton KY.
ICG “GP11” 8732 is the yard engine. Fulton KY.

14. I’m not crazy about any of ICG’s paint schemes. IC’s black seemed to do well. They will eventually go back to that in the next era. ICG 8732. Fulton KY.
I’m not crazy about any of ICG’s paint schemes. IC’s black seemed to do well. They will eventually go back to that in the next era. ICG 8732. Fulton KY.

15. MC-4 heads north on the Bluford District just out of Fulton. ICG 8061. Fulton KY.
MC-4 heads north on the Bluford District just out of Fulton. ICG 8061. Fulton KY.

16. The Bluford District (AKA Edgewood Cutoff) is a mostly straight, low grade bypass around the hilly and curvy main line. Many of the through freight and tonnage trains take this 169-mile route which was completed in 1928 to ease congestion on the main line. It features three tunnels in southern Illinois, the longest of which is over a mile. It also bisects coal country. The Bluford Dist. is not particularly scenic, but it is very efficient. ICG Fulton KY.
The Bluford District (AKA Edgewood Cutoff) is a mostly straight, low grade bypass around the hilly and curvy main line. Many of the through freight and tonnage trains take this 169-mile route which was completed in 1928 to ease congestion on the main line. It features three tunnels in southern Illinois, the longest of which is over a mile. It also bisects coal country. The Bluford Dist. is not particularly scenic, but it is very efficient. ICG Fulton KY.

17. ICG 3063-9574-9617 slow NC-6 (New Orleans to Chicago) to a stop for a crew change. ICG Fulton KY.
ICG 3063-9574-9617 slow NC-6 (New Orleans to Chicago) to a stop for a crew change. ICG Fulton KY.

18. ICG engines were even dirtier than Clinchfield’s! Those were the days of 5-man crews and cabooses. ICG 3063-9574. Fulton KY.
ICG engines were even dirtier than Clinchfield’s! Those were the days of 5-man crews and cabooses. ICG 3063-9574. Fulton KY.

19. ICG 9617. Fulton KY.
ICG 9617. Fulton KY.

20. The gates are up at Bluford Crossing. ICG Fulton KY.
The gates are up at Bluford Crossing. ICG Fulton KY.

21. NC-6 leaves town on the Bluford District. ICG 3063. Fulton KY.
NC-6 leaves town on the Bluford District. ICG 3063. Fulton KY.

22. NC-6 picks up speed through the tobacco farms of Hickman County. ICG Fulton KY.
NC-6 picks up speed through the tobacco farms of Hickman County. ICG Fulton KY.

23. Back in Fulton we find “GP8” 7800 and “GP11” 8750 at the engine terminal. ICG Fulton KY.
Back in Fulton we find “GP8” 7800 and “GP11” 8750 at the engine terminal. ICG Fulton KY.

24. ICG 7800 was rebuilt from a GP7 which may or may not have been IC’s. Fulton KY.
ICG 7800 was rebuilt from a GP7 which may or may not have been IC’s. Fulton KY.

25. GP40s 3025-3021-3036 had come in earlier on LM-7. ICG Fulton KY.
GP40s 3025-3021-3036 had come in earlier on LM-7. ICG Fulton KY.

26. It’s getting to be late afternoon, but more trains are showing up. ICG 3025. Fulton KY.
It’s getting to be late afternoon, but more trains are showing up. ICG 3025. Fulton KY.

Forbes Magazine published an article on 21 June 1982 about William Johnson and the state of IC Industries. You could probably look it up online if you would like to read the article. You can draw your own conclusions about the condition of the railroad.

Train images used by permission of Everett N Young