Mosser: (Satellite)
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| Roger Puta Photo/Marty Bernard Collection N&W Train 124, the domeliner Blue Bird led by Geep 509 and to the right N&W Train 4, the Wabash Cannonball led by Geep 2477 ready to depart. The name on the tower mimics the railroads that cross there. Howard Swanson shared Bill Molony posted Bill Edrington: Separating #4 (to Detroit) and #124 (to Chicago) after running them up as one combined train from St. Louis. I watched this many times as a kid after riding up from Litchfield. In the afternoon, #1 (from Detroit) and #111 (from Chicago) would be combined at Decatur, and then I’d ride back to Litchfield. Good memories. |
This view is looking west along the NS/NW/Wabash. You can see the Wabash Depot behind the tower. The tracks going across the front are CN/IC. It looks like a rather modern brick structure. That may be why I cannot find it in the aerial photo below.
Update:
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| 1941 Aerial Photo from ILHAP |
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| Steve Gingo posted An old photo showing the "newer" WABIC tower in '53 in stark contrast to the old octagonal tower that stood guard over Wabash lines for so long. You really have to admire the guys who had to man these lonely towers for so long. No luxuries in the old tower! Albert Pope: Inn the old, old towers the op. would have to go outside to pull levers or whatever. The Tower was just a place to get out of the weather. Dave Durham posted WABIC towers, old and new, 1/7/53. Decatur public library/Herald &Review |
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| Comments on Dave's post |
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| Mid-Century Decatur posted We're looking east out of the upper control tower window of the new Wabash tower at the WABIC intersection with the Illinois Central on its first day of operation, April 21, 1953, 71 years ago tomorrow. D.E. Thornell, in the foreground, is on duty. Photo: H&R Richard Fiedler shared |
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| William A. Shaffer posted N&W E8A #3815 (ex-Wabash #1015) is Bringing in the "Wabash Cannon Ball" into Decatur, IL. Wabic Tower is on the right hand side of the photograph. (Photo by William A. Shaffer)Sammy Smith Something else I miss is the tall smoke stakes at Staleys. They are still there, but they are cut below where FAA lighting is required. They are taking the old Meuller stack down now, and of course the Wabash went bye bye years ago. [Staleys is now the ADM wet mill corn processing plant. Note the coaling tower in front of the smoke stacks.] |
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| Terry Howley posted [Because of the roundhouse on the left, the coaling tower in the middle, and the B&O yard on the right; I assume this is Decatur, IL with the Wabic tower on the right.] |
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| William A. Shaffer added N&W GP35 #3541 (ex-Wabash #541) is shown approaching Wabic Tower in Decatur, IL. The railroad it is about to cross is the Illinois Central. (Photo by William A. Shaffer) |
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| Add captionilliam A. Shaffer posted Norfolk Southern Freight Train in Decatur (10.11.13) (Photo by William A. Shaffer)Dennis DeBruler Nice view of the coaling tower. |
Mosser Tower
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| Greg Bilbrey posted Mosser Tower in Decatur, where Wabash St. Louis line split off (curve at left). Photo from late '70s. Bill Edrington: It was called “Mercer Street” for years, and then it became “Mosser.” I remember the railroad making the change, but never knew why they did. Greg Bilbrey: Bill Edrington The Mosser name/family was prominent in the history and development of Decatur and Millikin University. Maybe they donated land to the railroad for something. Bill Crisp: The tower stood until the late 90’s. Kendel Robinson: Didn’t even know there was a tower there and even lasted till 70’s. So did the Wabash have double track all the way to St. Louis? Any pictures of the track layout at this location? Michael Greenwell: The NS removed most of the Northbound track. Left enough to make 3 very long siding at Taylorville, Midway, and Raymond. I worked at Mosser for a very short period of time in the early 70's before becoming a yardmaster @ Decatur. Finished the last 28 years of my career as train dispatcher. Bill Edrington: The 13th District was double track with ABS from Decatur to WR Tower in Granite City, where the passenger trains got onto the TRRA to reach Delmar Blvd. Station and Union Station in St. Louis via the Merchants Bridge and West Belt. Freight trains continued south from WR to Brooklyn Yard. My great-grandpa, grandpa and two uncles were all sectionmen on the 13th District for many years, at Litchfield, Raymond and Taylorville. I rode it many times as a kid. Pete Zimmermann: Interlocking now controlled by the NOC in Atlanta. [I was wondering just the other day in which town NS had their Network Operations Center.] Richard Fiedler shared Jon Roma: This was originally called "Mercer St. Tower", but I don't know when it became "Mosser" vis-a-vis the tower's closing. This tower stood for many years, but was torn down somewhere in the late 2000s or 2010s. |
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