Eastern Railroad Discussion > Crab Orchard & Egyptian Today, March 4, 2021

I was in the area of Marion, Illinois, today.  Just as I walked outside, being done with my reason for being there, I heard the sound of a Nathan P-3.  The Crab Orchard & Egyptian had a train out and about.  I had thrown a camera in the car on a whim before I left the house, soooo....

1. Progressive Rail SW1200 #33 is the locomotive assigned to the Crab Orchard & Egyptian today, and the first shot shows conductor Edward Bridges on the point as a cut of cars is shoved to the east end of the line.

2. #33 began life as a Cotton Belt unit, and replaced former MoPac SW1200 #1161 nearly three years ago.  #1161 is still around, though you might have to use some frequent flyer miles to see her.  She was bought by a locomotive reseller that gave her an overhaul before selling her to a new owner in Egypt; appropriate enough for a locomotive that spent 31 years in the part of Illinois known as "Little Egypt."

3. #33 continues shoving eastbound.

Mary McPherson
Dongola, IL
Diverging Clear Productions

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4. #33 returns light, crossing the abandoned roadbed of the one-time Coal Belt Electric Railroad that later became a MoPac branch.

5. The locomotive looks sharp enough, though I must admit I preferred the blue and yellow scheme of the old CO&E that honored the colors of Marion High School.

6. The day's work done, Edward stands by as engineer John puts the locomotive away.

Mary McPherson
Dongola, IL
Diverging Clear Productions

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Thank you for sharing. Nice to see that #33 is stored out of the weather.
John

What are the orange protuberances on the cab roof on #33?

Air conditioning, if I'm not mistaken.

Mary McPherson
Dongola, IL
Diverging Clear Productions

How far west are they running these days? Still going to Carterville? Does the wigwag still exist in Marion? Neat little operation.

Posted from Android

The west end of the line is just east of Crainville, which is east of and adjacent to Carterville.  The last time a train reached Carterville was the final I.C.G. local from Carbondale to Marion and back in the fall of 1977.

As far as I know the wig wag is still there, but who knows when the FRA will decide it needs to go.

Mary McPherson
Dongola, IL
Diverging Clear Productions

Neat to see this.

I Google mapped the whole line and did not see a wig wag.

jdtravis Wrote:
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> I Google mapped the whole line and did not see a
> wig wag.

Try 4th Street in Marion.

Mary McPherson
Dongola, IL
Diverging Clear Productions

Great write up, was wondering what the CO&E was still up to. Aside from the "new" engine/operator and #1161 and #6 no longer on the property, I see nothing has changed pretty much. Haven't railfanned them in a long while...

bodkin6071 Wrote:
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> Great write up, was wondering what the CO&E was
> still up to. Aside from the "new" engine/operator
> and #1161 and #6 no longer on the property, I see
> nothing has changed pretty much. Haven't
> railfanned them in a long while...

I just happened to be in the neighborhood and heard the horn.

Mary McPherson
Dongola, IL
Diverging Clear Productions

MaryMcPherson Wrote:
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> jdtravis Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > I Google mapped the whole line and did not see
> a
> > wig wag.
>
> Try 4th Street in Marion.

Thanks for the heads up on location. I found it on google maps.  Very interesting signal which also appears to have indications going down the tracks.  Was that due too the switching that would occur there to ensure the trains didn't cross that road until the protection had been going on long enough?

Anyway cool pics of an operation that I should have gone to see while I lived in Illinois but never made it. 

 

Cumbres Wrote:
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> Very interesting signal which also
> appears to have indications going down the
> tracks.  Was that due too the switching that
> would occur there to ensure the trains didn't
> cross that road until the protection had been
> going on long enough?

Almost.  It lets the crew of the approaching train know that the crossing is activated.

Mary McPherson
Dongola, IL
Diverging Clear Productions