Elgin Joliet & Eastern 11"x17" signed poster by Andy Fletcher

Elgin Joliet & Eastern connected the railroads "Around-Not Thru Chicago."  EJ&E provided Chicago with an outer belt railroad, helping interchange traffic avoid delays as it was routed around the heart of the busiest freight railroad hub in America.  US Steel at Gary was also a significant source of traffic for the Elgin, Joliet & Eastern.

To see my Elgin, Joliet & Eastern 11"x17" signed poster, visit my website customtrains.org and/or my eBay store.

Drawing of the Day-March 7, 2016 Chicago South Shore & South Bend GP38-2 #2001

I just drew Chicago South Shore & South Bend GP38-2 #2001. Chicago South Shore & South Bend interchanges with the Class 1 Railroads throughout Chicago and Northern Indiana and provides transload services and industrial switching. Chicago South Shore & South Bend is a member of American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association.

Drawing of the Day-February 15, 2016 Indiana Rail Road SD40-2 #4004

Today I drew Indiana Rail Road SD40-2 #4004.  Indiana Rail Road is an American Short Line and Regional Railroad member that connects with CSX, Norfolk Southern, Union Pacific, BNSF, Canadian National and Canadian Pacific.  Indiana Rail Road operates all-rail intermodal service in conjunction with Canadian National between the West Coast Ports of Vancouver and Prince Rupert and Indianapolis. http://www.inrd.com/documents/news_releases/2013-01-16_INRD_Intermodal.pdf

Indiana Harbor Belt-Connects With All Chicago Railroads

For decades, Indiana Harbor Belt has connected the railroads serving Chicago.  Headquartered at Hammond, Indiana, the trains of Indiana Harbor Belt maintain a flow of freight as it moves across America's rail network.
Throughout its history, the Indiana Harbor Belt has been jointly owned by railroads connecting throughout Chicago.  This neutrality is important, as the Indiana Harbor Belt works as a bridge between all Chicago Railroads through America's busiest railroad hub.
In 1961, Indiana Harbor Belt was owned in part by Chicago and North Western, New York Central and Milwaukee Road.  After decades of mergers, at present day, Indiana Harbor Belt is owned 25.5% by Norfolk Southern, 25.5% by CSX and 49% by Canadian Pacific. source http://www.dhke.com/ihbarchive/ihbhst.html  
Indiana Harbor Belt also plays the important role delivering first and last mile traffic into our freight rail system.  A principal customer for Indiana Harbor Belt is the US Steel plant at Gary, Indiana.
Indiana Harbor Belt truly "Connects With All Chicago Railroads."  It is important that it maintains this role.

February 1st-Happy Birthday, Penn Central!

Penn Central was formed on February 1, 1968 when railroad giants Pennsylvania Railroad and New York Central merged.  Happy Birthday, Penn Central!

Drawing of the Day-January 26, 2016 Erie Western RS3 #1600

I just drew Erie Western RS3 #1600. Erie Western was a short-lived but well loved shortline in Indiana and Ohio. This drawing came at the request of Erie Western fan John Eagan of Hoosier Hobbies.

Chicago-America's Railroad Hub

Chicago is truly America's railroad hub.  Railroads from the Northeast, the Southeast and Gulf Coast and the Midwest and West join at Chicago.  Historically, Chicago's shortlines and belt railroads have served Chicago's industries and have linked the railroads that interchange in the Windy City.
Steel from the Steel mills of Chicago and Northern Indiana provided a key source of traffic to Chicago's railroads.  Steel from these mills helped build America.