Sat
23
Jan '10
Paxton, IL is the home to the Illinois Central Historical Society. It was once a large historical society dedicated to the preservation of the legacy of the Illinois Central Railroad. The Society is located in the former Nickel Plate depot in Paxton, IL. Paxton is the site of several major improvements 
on the railroad right way, which occurred in early part of the 20th century. In order to eliminate the grade into town, the railroad had a cut created. This also allowed the Nickel Plate to cross on its’ own elevation and eliminated a diamond crossing.
on the railroad right way, which occurred in early part of the 20th century. In order to eliminate the grade into town, the railroad had a cut created. This also allowed the Nickel Plate to cross on its’ own elevation and eliminated a diamond crossing.
The old bridge for the Nickel Plate is finally being replaced with a pedestrian bridge. Paxton is also the location of one of the few Dairy Queen’s immediately in the vicinity of the IC along the right of way from Homewood to Champaign. A typical chase pattern often involves following a Norfolk Southern auto/parts manifest to Gibson City. A short ride from Gibson City to Paxton returns you to the mainline. You can stop for some Ice cream, too! You just might be able to catch the Gilman Roadswitcher heading south and not really miss any of the action while you are chasing the Norfolk Southern, if you just time everything perfectly.Here 
is a picture of some us at the Nickel Plate Depot in 2009. We have been there many times. Sometimes Chuck is there to greet you. He is a great guy and he is the under-appreciated backbone of the Illinois Central Historical Society. The Illinois Central Railroad Heritage Association has since supplanted the former ICHS. The Heritage Association has been publishing a fine magazine known as the Mid-American, which has been improving with quality as each issue reaches my desk. My friend, Paul Burgess, has continued to edit this magazine. He was the former editor of the Green Diamond. The Illinois Central Railroad Heritage Association’s website is located at http://icrha.com/. I would recommend that you join as a member. This organization and the two museums in McComb and Monticello are the principal organizations involved in retaining the memory of the former Illinois Central Railroad.
is a picture of some us at the Nickel Plate Depot in 2009. We have been there many times. Sometimes Chuck is there to greet you. He is a great guy and he is the under-appreciated backbone of the Illinois Central Historical Society. The Illinois Central Railroad Heritage Association has since supplanted the former ICHS. The Heritage Association has been publishing a fine magazine known as the Mid-American, which has been improving with quality as each issue reaches my desk. My friend, Paul Burgess, has continued to edit this magazine. He was the former editor of the Green Diamond. The Illinois Central Railroad Heritage Association’s website is located at http://icrha.com/. I would recommend that you join as a member. This organization and the two museums in McComb and Monticello are the principal organizations involved in retaining the memory of the former Illinois Central Railroad.N1EY
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