Taylorville, IL: Wabash vs. B&O and B&O Depot and Freight House

(Satellite)

Jacob Hortenstine -> Railroad Interlocking and Signal Towers

The Wabash was the mainline from Detroit to St. Louis and still exists as Norfolk Southern. Since the B&O was a little branch that meandered its way south from Beardstown, IL, to southern Illinois, I assume that the double track route was the Wabash. The Chicago & Illinois Midland went left from Taylorville.

As expected, the B&O route is gone, but the RoW still exists on the east side of town as the Lincoln Prairie Trail. The Illinois road map now labels the C&IM route as IMRR. This route used to join the B&O on the northwest side of town. Now it turns south on the west side of town and then east on the south side of town to join the Wabash south of the town.

1938 Aerial Photo from ILHAP

At aerial photo resolution

The tower is on the north side of the junction, which confirms that the double track in the photo was the Wabash. (The tower does not show up as much, but the shadow does.)

Bill Crisp posted
It's a B&O train but it's passing the Wabash tower in Taylorville.

Update:

Gary Sams shared
Taylorville, Illinois B&O passenger Depot Bregstone postcard

Gary Sams shared
Wabash-B&O crossing from the rear of Wabash passenger train Taylorville, Illinois 1937 J Barringer III photo Joe Collias collection sent to me from Joe Collias

Gary Sams shared
Taylorville, Illinois B&O freight depot water tower and grocery store

Dave Durham posted two images with the comment: "Taylorville Coal Company mine #1, with Tower guarding the B&O/Wabash crossing, looking East, sometime after 1893."

Dave Durham shared

Dave Durham posted

Taylorville Coal Company mine #1, with Tower guarding the B&O/Wabash crossing, looking East, sometime after 1893.

Dave Durham shared