GM&O Public Timetables (April, 1948)

Published: March 3, 2024

By: Adam Burns

Featured here is the GM&O's public timetables from the April, 1948 issue of the "Official Guide," just a few years after the railroad's formation.

The Gulf Mobile and Ohio Railroad (GM&O) was a prominent rail network that existed from 1940 to 1972. Founded in Mobile, Alabama, it spanned the Southeast and Midwest regions of the United States, serving major cities like New Orleans, Chicago, and St. Louis.

Created by a merger of the Mobile & Ohio Railroad and Gulf, Mobile, & Northern Railroad, GM&O reached extensive coverage, maneuvering through around 13 states with 2,700 miles of track. GM&O was among the most significant rail networks in the U.S., becoming instrumental for goods transportation, especially coal, agricultural products, and general merchandise.

The company was known for ornate passenger trains, like the Rebel and the Abraham Lincoln. However, by the 1970s, GM&O fell victim to the economic decline facing many railroads due to rising competition from the trucking and airline industries.

It merged with Illinoise Central Railroad to form Illinois Central Gulf Railroad in 1972. The GM&O logo, a white crescent moon and star on a red background, is persistently iconic today. A prominent part of railway history, GM&O is remembered for its vast presence and contribution to American rail transport.

Public Timetables (April, 1948)