Mid-American

             Issue 1
Issue 2007:1:
     The Paducah & Illinois Railroad: A Bridge
                too Far?--Part 1
            by Pat McDurmon
     Seminole Sojourns
            by Mike Schafer
     Persistence of Vision: The Continuity of an
                Illinois Central Branch Line
            by George Waltershausen

Issue 1: Don Lewis: President's Page:

    With the advent of the Illinois Central Railroad Historical Association, it is implicit that I express my hope and expectation for vitality and growth, rather than rancor and division. One of the beautiful features of the American way of life is that opportunities abound for those willing to work hard and find a niche wherein they may be useful and productive.
    Here in the U.S. we don’t cut out our piece of the "pie" at the expense of the other fellow. Instead, we more often "bake a bigger pie." The system simply expands. In this way, we all benefit, as others bring to the table new, different, and often unique ways of doing things.
    We already have a society dedicated to covering the Illinois Central from inception to the date of its technical demise. The ICHS has accomplished great things, archived precious documents, established Paxton depot as an historic landmark, and done so very much more. The charter of the ICHS defines the purpose.
    Yet, there is room for more. This "more" does not detract from what has gone before, nor compete with what continues. It supplements in new and exciting ways, seeking to provide for younger enthusiasts who never saw a steam engine in day-to-day work, and might not even care. For them, the diesels of Canadian National thundering over former IC rails are a thrill. Others find the Illinois Central Gulf to their liking. Still others seek to explore the GM&O and other roads in ways not addressed by the organizations dedicated specifically to those railroads, but rather in their interplay with the IC. This full-color journal with top-notch graphics will fill the bill.
    There are so many different ways we research the railroad we love, so many ways we go about railfanning, and many pathways we travel in modeling. The ICRHA, through The Mid-American, will reach out to all of these divergent populations within our great body of interest. It is a work-in-progress, and will evolve through, and be driven by, the feedback of our readers. You can expect excitement on every page. Come. Have some more pie.
    ---Don Lewis
    President

Issue 1: Paul Burgess: From the Cab:

    Welcome aboard! This first issue of the Mid-American that you hold in your hands inaugurates a new and different type of "Illinois Central Service." My name is Paul Burgess, and I have the privilege of conducting you on a new journey through history and heritage as we begin a new exploration of the Illinois Central Railroad---the Midwest's very own "Main Line of Mid-America"---as well as its predecessors and successors. As a lifelong IC fan and someone who grew up and still lives within an easy walk of IC's venerable mainline in Homewood, Ill., I hope that all of you will be happy to ride along on this particular trip. Mike Schafer, longtime IC aficionado, passenger train expert, and editor of the newly re-launched Passenger Train Journal, and Kevin EuDaly, CEO of White River Productions (home of Railroads Illustrated, the above mentioned PTJ, as well as the producers of this and many other railroad historical society and group publications), will be "riding the cushions" with us and lending their aid and interest as required to make this magazine all it can be.
    One question that may spring immediately to mind is why this new magazine exists. Fair enough. Stellar work regarding the preservation of the history of the Illinois Central Railroad has been for many years under the capable aegis of the Illinois Central Historical Society. Recently, the society decided to definitively narrow the focus of its quarterly publication (the Green Diamond) to concentrate only on the past history of the lines and systems that made up the Illinois Central of old, as a fallen flag. So far, so good. However, as many readers may appreciate, the Illinois Central as a physical entity did not simply cease to exist upon the takeover of its lines and assets by either sale to spin-off railroads (like the Paducah & Louisville, Chicago Central & Pacific, etc.) or by the corporate successor of the IC, the Canadian National Railway. Many fans of the IC come to it not only through association with the railroad of old---they come to it through curiosity about the predecessor of the railroad that runs past their door today. The color-format Mid-American and the new association that supports it, the Illinois Central Railroad Heritage Association (ICRHA), have a different mission in mind: to serve all admirers of the Illinois Central as well as the associated successor carriers that are now part of the IC's rich and vibrant heritage. Hence the word "heritage" in our name!
    In the pages of this magazine you will find a wealth of information about the Illinois Central of old. If you love IC steam---we're going to cover it. Passenger services? It's in the first issue (and in our name---The Mid-American was a Memphis-Chicago train from the classic passenger days). Commuter operations? Ditto. Obscure IC branch lines? Need I say it? They're here. BUT---and it's a big one---you will also find information about the many ways in which the IC has flourished into modern times as part of many interesting and successful railroads. Do you like the Paducah & Louisville? You'll find us covering it in this and future issues. Interested in the Indiana Rail Road or the Crab Orchard & Egyptian? We are too! We intend this association to be one big, happy, IC melting pot. Think of it as "big tent" historical interest. This will also include information on how to model the IC. Modeling preserves heritage too; and as such, we want to cover it.
    In some historical societies, the word "railfan" is considered tainted. Each to his or her own, but we beg to differ. At the ICRHA, and in the pages of The Mid-American, we officially welcome railfans. (Heck, I am one!) We welcome employees, whether active or retired, past or present. We welcome anyone with an interest, regardless of how you arrived at it. Our goal is to have fun, keep our readers and membership well informed and entertained, and add to the proud history of the IC and its associated lines while we do it. You, the reader, will tell us how we do. As editor, I may be contacted via e-mail at:
    unitlne@sbcglobal.net, or via the U.S. Post Office at the address listed under "contacts."
    Letters to the editor will form an important part of how and why we conduct business here, so don’t be shy. We will also need LOTS of contributions; so if you don't see something you'd like to see in the magazine, the quickest way to get it there will be to contact me about doing it yourself. The expert staff at White River will be handling the production duties, so you can be sure your photos, graphics, relics, and other materials will be handled with the same T.L.C. they lavish on all their other productions. If you want to enjoy membership in the ICRHA (and we sincerely hope you do!) information on how to proceed is included in this issue. I invite you to join us.
    Enough gab from the cab, already---we all have a new magazine to enjoy. So climb aboard and dig in---the Mid-American and the ICRHA have arrived!
    ---Paul Burgess
    Editor