History Highlights of the Prototype

Photo by Terry Redeker (used with permission) 

The Herrin branch line was constructed in 1895 by the Chicago & Texas connecting Carbondale, Illinois with Herrin.  Eventually the line was taken over by the Illinois Central (IC).  Many years later, the connection to Carbondale was cut and the city of Herrin purchased the tracks that run through the town in 1987.  A connection with the Burlington Northern was built to the east of town.  The Crab Orchard & Egyptian (C.O.& E.) would run the line until 2019 when the Herrin Railroad LLC was created to operate the line.

You can find out more interesting information about the railroads in the Carbondale area at the following web site...

http://stationcarbondale.org/history/

The Herrin Micro will feature the Maytag Plant as the main subject of the layout. Unfortunately, the Maytag plant closed in 2006.  Stone Container, another manufacturer on the line, closed as well.  The C.O.& E. served a few other industries on the line until they eventually closed too.  The line was used to store rolling stock, but that is no longer the case.  The tracks have sat idle since 2011, but that is supposed to change in the near future with the formation of the Herrin Railroad LLC.  

Photos of mine from Herrin in 2015:

Tom