I live in Odin, the diamond there is removed as well where it crosses the CN there, formerly Illinois Central until CN took it over in the late 90s. I do still occasionally see some older Illinois Central units on some trains.
Yeah the diamond was removed in 2016, crazy to think its been that long ago now. Odin was a great railfanning spot when both lines were active through there. Still decent amount of CN traffic though.
Point out the history...this was the first rail line from the east to the river at St. Louis in the 1850s. I watched a lot of trains thru O'Fallon during the brief time I lived there.
You're right it was. I setup a website dedicated to the history of this line. If you're interested in learning more about it, and some of the more recent events surrounding its shutdown, check out this link here ilsubdivisionrailroad.wordpress.com/
I believe there's a high chance that CSX will use this route if a Hurricane damages the St. Louis Subdivision badly perhaps. Would love to see this line be put back in service
I just discovered this line on Google Maps earlier today while looking for something unrelated. Checked the crossings at Shattuc on Street View and saw the gates removed and lights turned, so I was curious about this line's status and history. Glad to have found this and a couple other videos shedding some light on it!
@@BadgerlandRailVideos Awesome! Thanks for watching! Glad to hear it was helpful. I plan to do some more videos this year that look at other locations along this line, and a few other abandoned lines nearby in the area.
Yeah both the Illinois and Indiana Subdivisions have really declined in the past decade, mostly due to CSX using the old Conrail Indy line and very little on line business.
True. Although I'd like to see a shortline acquire it and make a go at reestablishing business along the line that CSX abandoned back in the 90's and early 2000's. There used to be nearly 80 car locals that once ran this line, with rail business in Salem, Huey, Ferrin, Breese, Trenton, Summerfield, and Lebanon. There is still industry along the line in Lebanon, Trenton, along with numerous Top AG elevators. CSX also interchanged with BNSF and UP, and the connection tracks are still intact. With good marketing, local business could be established, much like EVWR did with the old L&N further south after CSX quit on that line. There is now thriving business on the old L&N from Okawville to the east.
CSX would have to offer it for sale at a fair price. They have been avoiding it so far by keeping the asking price too high. There are fears of western class ones spreading too far east. That is why the L&N west of Okawaville got chopped, to prevent a western carrier from snapping up the shortline as a gateway east and forcing the shortline to ship through lines further east.
Yeah the same fate occurred with the old L&N line back in the late 80's/early 90's. CSX downgraded and later abandoned it west of Okawville into East St. Louis. The old B&O then absorbed those trains from that line at the time.
I live in Odin, the diamond there is removed as well where it crosses the CN there, formerly Illinois Central until CN took it over in the late 90s. I do still occasionally see some older Illinois Central units on some trains.
Yeah the diamond was removed in 2016, crazy to think its been that long ago now. Odin was a great railfanning spot when both lines were active through there. Still decent amount of CN traffic though.
Point out the history...this was the first rail line from the east to the river at St. Louis in the 1850s. I watched a lot of trains thru O'Fallon during the brief time I lived there.
You're right it was. I setup a website dedicated to the history of this line. If you're interested in learning more about it, and some of the more recent events surrounding its shutdown, check out this link here ilsubdivisionrailroad.wordpress.com/
Good info. Sad to see the line in such condition.
Thank you! Yes it definitely is.
Wow this is amazing and sad. I remember this line and CSX won't let anyone buy it. And my rr wanted it but no go. I'm am now a subscriber thank you
@@erikmcc804 Totally agree, it's unfortunate CSX is letting this line sit and rot away. Thanks for watching and subscribing, I really appreciate it!
I believe there's a high chance that CSX will use this route if a Hurricane damages the St. Louis Subdivision badly perhaps. Would love to see this line be put back in service
I just discovered this line on Google Maps earlier today while looking for something unrelated. Checked the crossings at Shattuc on Street View and saw the gates removed and lights turned, so I was curious about this line's status and history. Glad to have found this and a couple other videos shedding some light on it!
@@BadgerlandRailVideos Awesome! Thanks for watching! Glad to hear it was helpful. I plan to do some more videos this year that look at other locations along this line, and a few other abandoned lines nearby in the area.
good presentation. A+
Thank you!
It’s funny I’ve driven through there hundreds of times from Olney to St. Louis but I never knew that town was there.
Yeah it's definitely easy to miss
I grew up in Olney and recall riding the B&O to St Louis in 60s. The IC B&O crossing had decent traffic in the 70s.
There still good tracks I hope and pray they reopen them soon I really miss the trains.
@@NickLange-h3s Agreed. I'd love to see this line reopen someday. I'm losing hope at this stage that it will ever happen though.
@@TrainsOfSouthernIllinois unfortunately there’s a better route plus most of the business on this line is gone
@kentuckyrailfan1 That's very true.
Went over that one yesterday eclipse watching
Awesome!
That line is still barely active here in Southern Indiana as I think it sees about a train a week through Seymour.
Yeah both the Illinois and Indiana Subdivisions have really declined in the past decade, mostly due to CSX using the old Conrail Indy line and very little on line business.
This would make a great passenger line. I'm surprised Amtrak has not included this one in its service and route expansion plan.
True. Although I'd like to see a shortline acquire it and make a go at reestablishing business along the line that CSX abandoned back in the 90's and early 2000's. There used to be nearly 80 car locals that once ran this line, with rail business in Salem, Huey, Ferrin, Breese, Trenton, Summerfield, and Lebanon. There is still industry along the line in Lebanon, Trenton, along with numerous Top AG elevators. CSX also interchanged with BNSF and UP, and the connection tracks are still intact. With good marketing, local business could be established, much like EVWR did with the old L&N further south after CSX quit on that line. There is now thriving business on the old L&N from Okawville to the east.
I was told that the Taxes on the line, go way down, once the rail
is removed.
I've heard that too. That would explain why CSX removed all of the sidings along this line.
It is strange that they do not abandon it
@@larrybaldridge4078 Yeah I'm surprised they've let it sit dormant for almost 10 years now. Perhaps eventually it will be pulled up.
CSX would have to offer it for sale at a fair price. They have been avoiding it so far by keeping the asking price too high. There are fears of western class ones spreading too far east. That is why the L&N west of Okawaville got chopped, to prevent a western carrier from snapping up the shortline as a gateway east and forcing the shortline to ship through lines further east.
does this line also run through minooka?
No it runs from East St. Louis to Vincennes.
If I had the money I would buy the line and serve the industries that are left on it
This is a case of too many lines going to the same place. The CSX owns 3 lines 20 miles apart.
@@ekeller88 Yep totally agree. The Conrail merger was the beginning of the end for the old B&O line. It became redundant.
Don’t forget the L&N line csx owns as well (EVWR) today. It’s a shame one RR got control over all 3 of these lines.
Yeah the same fate occurred with the old L&N line back in the late 80's/early 90's. CSX downgraded and later abandoned it west of Okawville into East St. Louis. The old B&O then absorbed those trains from that line at the time.