To Be Released Soon! BLW/ZT IC City of New Orleans

rfranzosa

It looks like both Gaetan and I have awakened from our long winters naps!

At long last, the BLW/ZT Illinois Central 'City of New Orleans' 3 decade pack is nearing release. First, a few photos of some of the 19 consists that make up this set!

The year is 1948, and the Illinois Cenral "City of New Orleans" all coach day train between Chicago,IL and New Orleans, LA is in its second year of operation. This train is a speedster, averaging nearly 60 mph including 22 stops (reaching 90-100 mph along the way). One unique feature of this train, all of the coaches are named, not just diners and observation cars.

Screenshots taken on Rick Berg's LEGENDARY Monon2 route

Illinois Central Train #1 - the City of New Orleans, preparing to leave Central Station in Chicago on the advertised at 8:00AM. Leading the way, an E6A-E7B-E6A trio (4001-A, 4101, 4001-B)

Following behind in this traditional CoNO consist, RPO/Baggage/Express car #404

Next, the Baggage dormitory car #1904 emblazoned with the train name and Illinois Central green diamond logo

First revenue car, a 56 seat coach. #2633 "CLINTON"

2nd coach, a 48 seat day-night coach #2611 "CALCASIEU"

rfranzosa · Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2020 7:03 pm Post subject:

The first of three food service cars on the City of New Orleans, the Lunch/Lounge car #4200 "CANAL STREET"

Following the Lunch/Lounge, four more 56 seat coaches, led by #2636 "KANKAKEE", then #2632 "LITCHFIELD", #2631 "SPRINGFIELD" and #2623 "TULANE"

After the four coaches, the second food service car, full dining car #4107 "LEE CIRCLE"

Next, another 56 seat coach, #2618 "GENTILLY"

48 seat day-night coach #2610 "CHARTRES"

rfranzosa · Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2020 7:04 pm Post subject:

And the last car of this consist, tavern/lounge/observation car #3306 "AUDUBON PARK". In Carbondale, IL, 56 seat coach #2624 "PONTALBA" will be added behind the diner, transfered from the St. Louis section of CoNO, train #201. In Fulton, KY, 56 seat coach #2616 "DELGADO" will be added behind the diner, transfered from the Louisville section of CoNO train #101, completing the consist to New Orleans.

rfranzosa · Posted: Mon Mar 16, 2020 7:05 pm Post subject:

Now, here is the northbound counterpart, Illinois Central #2, a near mirror image of #1, north of New Orleans. The date is September 8, 1948. When this train arrives in Memphis, TN later today, the consist will be recorded and will eventually appear Robert J Wayner's book "Passenger Train Consists 1923-1973". Today #2 is hauled by a matched A-B-A set of E7s 4007-4101-4011.

as with #1, an RPO/Express car (#403) and a baggage/dorm car (#1903) follow, as part of this consist

with #3305 tavern/lounge/observation "MARDI GRAS" bringing up the markers.

As with #1, the train includes eight 56 seat coaches

Two 48 seat day-night coaches

A lunch/lounge car (#4201 "DE SOTO")

A full dining car (#4106 "JACKSON SQUARE")

and #3305 tavern/lounge/observation "MARDI GRAS"

The entire consist (from the Wayner Book)

Screenshots taken on O'Brian Jones "Birmingham2" route

rfranzosa · Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2020 6:50 am Post subject:

Somewhere about 10 miles south of Dyersburg,Tennessee, Illinois Central City of New Orleans trains #1 & #2 pass each other in the late afternoon fall of 1958. Depicted here on the unreleased Illinois Central route by Rick Berg and Patrick Bundy* we see Train #1 approach southbound with rebuilt E7A #4016 leading an E7A-E8B-E9A set, followed by the traditional CoNO consist, only now the skirting has been removed from the cars, the steps are welded open, the names have been painted over on the baggage dorm, coaches, lunch/lounge cars and diner, with only tavern/lounge/observation car "Audubon Park" wearing its name.

and on the northbound track, train #2 continues on, 460 miles and 13 more stops to Chicago.

* The IC Route was modded from the GMO IC CN route by Clendall Jones
which was modded by Rick Berg and Neil Keenan
Then Rick Berg and Patrick Bundy turned it into the IC

rfranzosa · Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2020 7:14 pm Post subject:

Back to Chicago. Now it is 1968, and declining passenger revenues are being supplemented by mail and express hauled by the City of New Orleans. The new look 'split rail' logo is displayed on the nose of E9A #4042, as well as the large block letters and numbers on its flanks. Today's CoNO does have additional head-end cars, as well as one of the two dome cars purchased from the Missouri Pacific for the CoNO. Passengers enjoy the view of the head end making its way around the curve as it leaves Central Station.

rfranzosa · Posted: Thu Mar 19, 2020 9:31 pm Post subject:

Decided to hang around at the train station in Louisville. Always something going on. In this case, some IC SW7s switching head end equipment. Screen shots taken on Rick Berg's legendary Monon2 route.

That's it! I may have missed showing a couple of locomotives or passenger cars, but you get the idea. Coming soon!!

Rick