C&IM: Chicago & Illinois Midland Railway in Color

by Ryan Crawford, James E. Lewnard

Comprehensive look at central Illinois coal and freight hauler C&IM, including locomotive roster, rolling stock, and details about operations.

From the publisher: An all-color look back at this charming railroad operating out of Springfield, Illinois from steam to diesel.

128 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Jim Shaner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is definitely the best railroad book I have read. It contains so much information, perfectly presented, documented by outstanding photographs of equipment, facilities and operations. The narrative is succinct and flows smoothly from one subject to the next. Together, Crawford and Lewnard use their intimate knowledge of the C&IM to convey the spirit of the railroad and its employees. They conducted numerous interviews and combed through train sheets and other paperwork to document operations on the Midland. The book covers the entire history of the road, in color photographs from the steam era to the last acquisition of diesel horsepower in 1995. Locomotives from connecting railroads are portrayed, along with leased and run-through power. The chapters are divided among geographic sections of the line. One of my favorite sections depicts the C&IM locomotives paying back horsepower hours on other railroads, in locations such as Aurora and Savanna. I also enjoyed the aerial views of certain facilities. I kept an old timetable tucked in the pages to help my frame of reference. I liken this book to the railroad itself: compact and not overreaching, solidly fulfilling its mission with excellence, resplendent and uplifting, a real team effort... and that will do.

I purchased this copy to add to my collection of railroad books, and the authors are personal friends.