The Illinois Terminal diesel was not very large but did include models from both EMD and Alco. For a complete/all-time Illinois Terminal diesel roster please click here. This list of surviving IT diesel locomotives will be categorized by original numbers the railroad assigned its units and where they are today, whether in operation, cosmetically restored, or in some state of preservation at railroad museums and tourist railroads. Also, just as something to keep in mind if you are not aware, while some locomotives may be painted/preserved in IT colors this does not necessarily mean that they are of IT heritage (and likewise, some locomotives may be of IT heritage that are not in IT colors).
The Illinois Terminal Railroad had a relatively short lifespan. However, it turned out to be the largest interurban railroad in the country and a history that was as colorful and interesting as any of the other classic fallen flags. The IT or “the Traction”, as it was known by locals, served small cities and towns throughout Illinois with its major hubs at St. Louis and Peoria (it had hopes of reaching Chicago but never made it that far north). What started out as a hodgepodge of interurban railroad lines turned into a quite profitable freight railroad operation by the time the railroad was taken over by the Norfolk & Western Railway in 1980. Today, the IT is long gone but a portion of its old interurban system remains in use for freight service under Norfolk Southern today.
American Locomotive Company (Alco)
· Alco RS1 #753: Preserved by the Danbury Railroad Museum as New Haven #0673.
Electro-Motive Division (EMD)
· EMD GP7 #1605: Preserved by the Illinois Railway Museum as IT #1605.
Also, while not diesel locomotives, some of IT's electric locomotives are preserved:
Electric Locomotives
· Class C Boxcab (2-B+B-2) #1595: Preserved at the Illinois Railway Museum as IT #1595.
· Class B Boxcab (B+B) #1565: Preserved at the Illinois Railway Museum as IT #1565.
· Class B Boxcab (B+B) #1575: Preserved at the Museum of Transportation in St. Louis as IT #1575.
· Trolley Car #415: Preserved at the Illinois Railway Museum as IT #415.
· Trolley Car #451: Preserved at the Connecticut Trolley Museum as IT #451.
Lastly, it should also be noted that some former Illinois Terminal switcher and road units continue to remain in some state of operation and in active revenue service with Class Is, Regionals, shortlines, or leasing companies. To learn more about the disposition of these locomotives please click here to visit The Diesel Shop.
While this list will continually be updated it certainly does not completely cover every surviving unit, which was on the Illinois Terminal diesel roster. So, if you know of any other survivors out there, whether they are parked and gleaming in a museum or sitting out in the weeds along a forgotten siding please let me know so we can keep this list growing, and you will be given full credit for your help.
For more information on the all types of classic diesel locomotives consider Mike Schafer’s Vintage Diesel Locomotives which looks at virtually all of the classic builders and models from Alco PAs to early EMD Geeps. If you’re interested in classic FMs, or diesels in general, this book gives an excellent general history of both.
You may also want to consider the book Evolution of the American Diesel Locomotive by author J. Parker Lamb. As the title implies the book looks at the history and development of the diesel locomotives, covering 200 pages, from its earliest beginnings to the newest designs and models operated today. If you're interested in perhaps purchasing either (or both) of these books please visit the links below which will take you to ordering information through Amazon.com, the trusted online shopping network.
