Canadian National 5651 leads a empty grain train out of the CN yard at Centralia, Illinois as it heads north on the Centralia Subdivision on April 27th, 2022, with another CN and BNSF unit trailing, as they pass over the ICG Crossing. Centralia is named for the Illinois Central Railroad, which was built in 1853. The city was founded at the location where the two original branches of the railroad converged and today the line is owned by the Canadian National, although BNSF and Norfolk Southern also have a presence here now. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2500, ISO 150. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

Canadian National 5651 leads a empty grain train out of the CN yard at Centralia, Illinois

Canadian National 5651 leads a empty grain train out of the CN yard at Centralia, Illinois as it heads north on the Centralia Subdivision on April 27th, 2022, with another CN and BNSF unit trailing, as they pass over the ICG Crossing.

Centralia is named for the Illinois Central Railroad, which was built in 1853. The city was founded at the location where the two original branches of the railroad converged and today the line is owned by the Canadian National, although BNSF and Norfolk Southern also have a presence here now.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2500, ISO 150.

Illinois Central Death Star locomotive 6250 sits dead in tow as the third unit, behind a CN and Norfolk southern unit, as they work on dropping off and picking up cars at the CN yard at Centralia, Illinois on CN A432 on April 27th, 2022. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2500, ISO 200. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

Illinois Central Death Star locomotive 6250 sits dead in tow at Centrailia, Illinois on CS A432

Illinois Central Death Star locomotive 6250 sits dead in tow as the third unit, behind a CN and Norfolk southern unit, as they work on dropping off and picking up cars at the CN yard at Centralia, Illinois on CN A432 on April 27th, 2022.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/2500, ISO 200.

Illinois Central “Death Star” 1026 leads the daily A408 (Kirk Yard - Gary, IN - Centralia, IL) as it splits the signals just south of the Illinois Central Gulf crossing at Centralia, Illinois, arriving at its destination on April 27th, 2022. According to Wikipedia: Centralia is named for the Illinois Central Railroad which was built in 1853. The city was founded at the location where the two original branches of the railroad converged. Centralia was first chartered as a city in 1859. Now Canadian National owns the line. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 70-300 @ 140mm, f/4.8, 1/2500, ISO 280. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #ICdeathstar #illinoiscentral #canadiannational

Illinois Central “Death Star” 1026 leads the daily A408 at Centralia, Illinois

Illinois Central “Death Star” 1026 leads the daily A408 (Kirk Yard – Gary, IN – Centralia, IL) as it splits the signals just south of the Illinois Central Gulf crossing at Centralia, Illinois, arriving at its destination on April 27th, 2022.

According to Wikipedia: Centralia is named for the Illinois Central Railroad which was built in 1853. The city was founded at the location where the two original branches of the railroad converged. Centralia was first chartered as a city in 1859. Now Canadian National owns the line.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 70-300 @ 140mm, f/4.8, 1/2500, ISO 280.

The crew on Canadian National 5261, with Illinois Central Caboose 199060 which has seen much better days, works on a pickup at Mounds, Illinois on the CN Centralia Subdivision during a wet, gloomy evening on December 29th, 2021. Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 10-20mm @ 10mm, f/3.5, 1/200, ISO 1110. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #jimpearsonphotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer

Canadian National 5261, with Illinois Central Caboose 199060 at Mounds, Illinois

The crew on Canadian National 5261, with Illinois Central Caboose 199060 which has seen much better days, works on a pickup at Mounds, Illinois on the CN Centralia Subdivision during a wet, gloomy evening on December 29th, 2021.

Tech Info: Nikon D800, RAW, Nikon 10-20mm @ 10mm, f/3.5, 1/200, ISO 1110.

Canadian National A408 passes through the diamonds on CN Centralia Subdivision at Centralia, Illinois as it pulls south into the yard on December 29th, 2021, with Illinois Central units 1005 and 1022 leading the way. The Centralia Subdivision formerly belonged to the Illinois Central Railroad and was constructed between 1854-1855. The double trackage was added between 1900-1902 and the line runs between Centralia and Cairo, Illinois. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/640, ISO 110. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

Canadian National A408 passes through the diamonds on CN Centralia Subdivision at Centralia, Illinois

Canadian National A408 passes through the diamonds on CN Centralia Subdivision at Centralia, Illinois as it pulls south into the yard on December 29th, 2021, with Illinois Central units 1005 and 1022 leading the way.

The Centralia Subdivision formerly belonged to the Illinois Central Railroad and was constructed between 1854-1855. The double trackage was added between 1900-1902 and the line runs between Centralia and Cairo, Illinois.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/640, ISO 110.

Canadian National A403 passes through the diamonds on CN Centralia Subdivision at Centralia, Illinois as it pulls south into the yard on December 29th, 2021, with Illinois Central units 1005 and 1022 leading the way. The Centralia Subdivision formerly belonged to the Illinois Central Railroad and was constructed between 1854-1855. The double trackage was added between 1900-1902 and the line runs between Centralia and Cairo, Illinois. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/730, ISO 100. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

Canadian National A408 passes through the diamonds on CN Centralia Subdivision at Centralia, Illinois

Canadian National A408 passes through the diamonds on CN Centralia Subdivision at Centralia, Illinois as it pulls south into the yard on December 29th, 2021, with Illinois Central units 1005 and 1022 leading the way.

The Centralia Subdivision formerly belonged to the Illinois Central Railroad and was constructed between 1854-1855. The double trackage was added between 1900-1902 and the line runs between Centralia and Cairo, Illinois.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/730, ISO 100.

Amtrak 391, the Saluki, passes through the Evansville Western Railway/Canadian National diamond as it heads south on the CN Centralia Subdivision at Ashley, Illinois on December 29th, 2021. According to Wikipedia: Ashley is a city in Washington County, Illinois, United States, and was named after Colonel L. W. Ashley, a railroad division engineer with the Illinois Central Railroad. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 130. #trainphotography #railroadphotography #trains #railways #dronephotography #trainphotographer #railroadphotographer #jimpearsonphotography

Amtrak 391, the Saluki, passes through the Evansville Western Railway/Canadian National diamond at Ashley, IL

Amtrak 391, the Saluki, passes through the Evansville Western Railway/Canadian National diamond as it heads south on the CN Centralia Subdivision at Ashley, Illinois on December 29th, 2021.

According to Wikipedia: Ashley is a city in Washington County, Illinois, United States, and was named after Colonel L. W. Ashley, a railroad division engineer with the Illinois Central Railroad.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2S Drone, RAW, 22mm, f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 130.

Illinois rail action of Decatur & Eastern Illinois Railroad and CN.

In this video we catch Illinois rail action of a Decatur & Eastern Illinois Railroad local on its way to Terre Haute, Indiana and one of their locals working the yard at Decatur, Illinois along with a CN manifest headed to Chicago from Siegal, Illinois on July 21st, 2021.

Canadian National Support our Troops engine at Centralia, IL Canadian National (CN) locomotive 3233 (Support our Troops) heads north on the CN Centralia Subdivision leading CN M396 passes through the diamonds at Centralia, Illinois on December 15th, 2020. Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, JPG, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 100.

Canadian National Support our Troops engine at Centralia, IL

Canadian National (CN) locomotive 3233 (Support our Troops) heads north on the CN Centralia Subdivision leading CN M396 passes through the diamonds at Centralia, Illinois on December 15th, 2020.

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/500, ISO 100.

Canadian National meet at Mounds, IL Canadian National (CN) locomotive 3233 (Support our Troops) heads north on the CN Centralia Subdivision leading CN M396 as it passes a local working at Mounds, Illinois on December 15th, 2020. From a CN Press Release: "CN’s two new tribute locomotives (CN 3233 & 3015) pay homage to veterans and active military men and women across North America. Their custom design represents the proud footprint we have established across our network and our deep recognition for the veterans who live and work in the communities our trains pass through every day. Stay tuned as they make their debut on our main line in the coming days!" Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, JPG, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/400, ISO 100.

Canadian National meet at Mounds, IL

Canadian National (CN) locomotive 3233 (Support our Troops) heads north on the CN Centralia Subdivision leading CN M396 as it passes a local working at Mounds, Illinois on December 15th, 2020.

From a CN Press Release: “CN’s two new tribute locomotives (CN 3233 & 3015) pay homage to veterans and active military men and women across North America. Their custom design represents the proud footprint we have established across our network and our deep recognition for the veterans who live and work in the communities our trains pass through every day. Stay tuned as they make their debut on our main line in the coming days!”

Tech Info: DJI Mavic Air 2 Drone, RAW, 4.5mm (24mm equivalent lens) f/2.8, 1/400, ISO 100.

August 29, 2020 - Amtrak 393 (The Illini) pulls into the old Illinois Central (IC) Depot in downtown Mattoon, Illinois with 4624 leading the Sunday evening southbound train from Chicago to Carbondale, Illinois as the last bit of sunlight lights up the scene. According to the Amtrak App the train was running out of Chicago at 44% capacity during this COVID-19 days. According to Wikipedia, The Mattoon station is housed in the former Illinois Central Railroad Depot. The depot was completed in 1918 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001. At its height, the building housed a power plant, mail room, luggage room, and restaurant, in addition to the main hall where passengers waited to board trains. As many as ten trains a day departed the depot in the 1950s. During 2010, a $3 million restoration project, paid for from a mix of private, state, and federal funding, was undertaken, replacing paint, flooring, and other interior fixtures. The station currently serves as a stop for the Illini, Saluki, and City of New Orleans passenger trains. The tracks themselves, formerly part of the Illinois Central Railroad, are now owned by the Canadian National Railway (CN). Freight trains run by CN pass through frequently as this is on the CN Champaign Subdivision. Tech Info: Fuji XT-1, RAW, Fuji 18-55mm @ 18mm, f/8, 1/180, ISO 800.

Amtrak 393 pulls into the old Illinois Central Depot in downtown Mattoon, Illinois

August 29, 2020 – Amtrak 393 (The Illini) pulls into the old Illinois Central (IC) Depot in downtown Mattoon, Illinois with 4624 leading the Sunday evening southbound train from Chicago to Carbondale, Illinois as the last bit of sunlight lights up the scene. According to the Amtrak App the train was running out of Chicago at 44% capacity during this COVID-19 days.


According to Wikipedia, The Mattoon station is housed in the former Illinois Central Railroad Depot. The depot was completed in 1918 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2001. At its height, the building housed a power plant, mail room, luggage room, and restaurant, in addition to the main hall where passengers waited to board trains. As many as ten trains a day departed the depot in the 1950s.


During 2010, a $3 million restoration project, paid for from a mix of private, state, and federal funding, was undertaken, replacing paint, flooring, and other interior fixtures.

The station currently serves as a stop for the Illini, Saluki, and City of New Orleans passenger trains. The tracks themselves, formerly part of the Illinois Central Railroad, are now owned by the Canadian National Railway (CN). Freight trains run by CN pass through frequently as this is on the CN Champaign Subdivision.


Tech Info: Fuji XT-1, RAW, Fuji 18-55mm @ 18mm, f/8, 1/180, ISO 800.

November 24, 2018 - Amtrak 390, the Saluki, pulls north in the early morning sun as it begins its run to Chicago from Carbondale, Illinois on CN's Centralia Subdivision. - #jimstrainphotos #illinoisrailroads #trains #nikond800 #railroad #railroads #train #railways #railway #amtrak #passengertrains #cnrailway

November 24, 2018 – Amtrak 390, the Saluki, pulls north…

November 24, 2018 – Amtrak 390, the Saluki, pulls north in the early morning sun as it begins its run to Chicago from Carbondale, Illinois on CN’s Centralia Subdivision. – #jimstrainphotos #illinoisrailroads #trains #nikond800 #railroad #railroads #train #railways #railway #amtrak #passengertrainNovember 24, 2018 – Amtrak 390, the Saluki, pulls north in the early morning sun as it begins its run to Chicago from Carbondale, Illinois on CN’s Centralia Subdivision. – #jimstrainphotos #illinoisrailroads #trains #nikond800 #railroad #railroads #train #railways #railway #amtrak #passengertrains #cnrailways #cnrailway

November 21, 2018 - Arriving just over 3 hours late due to mechanical problems in Chicago, Amtrak 391, the Saluki, meets a northbound CN freight at the coaling towers in Carbondale, Illinois as the last light of the day fades from the sky on the Centrailia Subdivision. - #jimstrainphotos #illinoisrailroads #trains #nikond800 #railroad #railroads #train #railways #railway #amtrak #passengertrains #cn #cnrailway

November 21, 2018 – Arriving just over 3 hours late due to…

November 21, 2018 – Arriving just over 3 hours late due to mechanical problems in Chicago, Amtrak 391, the Saluki, meets a northbound CN freight at the coaling towers in Carbondale, Illinois as the last light of the day fades from the sky on the Centrailia Subdivision.  #jimstrainphotos #illinoisrailroads #trains #nikond800 #railroad #railroads #train #railways #railway #amtrak #passengertrains #cn#cnrailway

October 29, 2018 - After throwing the switch at the North End of the Paducah and Louisville Railway yard, the conductor on the CN local from Fulton, Ky keeps a watchful eye as they enter the yard at Paducah, Kentucky yard with their train. - #jimstrainphotos #kentuckyrailroads #trains #nikond800 #railroad #railroads #train #railways #railway #cnrailway #canadiannationalrailway

October 29, 2018 – After throwing the switch…

October 29, 2018 – After throwing the switch at the North End of the Paducah and Louisville Railway yard, the conductor on the CN local from Fulton, Ky keeps a watchful eye as they enter the yard at Paducah, Kentucky yard with their train. – #jimstrainphotos #kentuckyrailroads #trains #nikond800 #railroad #railroads #train #railways #railway #cnrailway #canadiannationalrailway