Amazing what you can find when you look around. Don't know the date or origin of this photo, but it is a good shot of the Big 4 depot at Robinson, Illinois (South of Paris on the Cairo Line). Captain Rex Settlemoir Collection
That's an impressive depot, looks fairly new. My guess for age would 1910-1920, possibly as late as 1930 judging by clothing. We had the same baggage carts and dollies at NYC's Bedford Hills, NY station in the 1940s, but the clothing pre-dates that by quite a bit. There is something at the far right in the shadows that could be motorized vehicle of some sort, but it's too indistinct to tell.
That is a sharp station. Reminds me of this one in the town where I grew up: Pretty close match except for the difference in the gable/hip roof for the platform side bumpout. This very photograph has been hanging in the local furniture store since the 1950's, I instantly recognized it as such when it popped up online. This was the St. Charles, MI station on the Michigan Central R.R. When I was growing up in the 70's it was abandoned (although trains still ran at that time) and known known as "The Depot", and was pretty much a hangout for hooligans. I guess it is still standing, although the line is now a bike trail. I had researched this thinking I would build one for my dad's new layout, but he ended up getting a nice station in a lot buy before I ever got started on it.
Where in relation to this pictured Robinson depot, was the office named Owen? What was Owen? An interlocking?
Ken, according to an old NYCS list of facilities and maps, Owen was just south of Robinson, and was an interlocking, Illinois Central crossing. Telegraph code KX. Roger, again I have to ask, is that depot still standing?
Roger,,,,,,,, the Robinson depot is still standing or it was in April, when were down there. It’s owned by the VFW [next door] and used as a military museum. It has a beautiful memorial out front. If I can find the photos I got a few year back, I’ll post them laters. The Owen inter-locking was bout 2 blocks south of the depot, on IC’s, Effingham- Indy line, now owned by the INRR. mike
Here’s a couple photos from a few year back. Boxcab,, the tower is long. I don’t know what year it was removed. I guessing the mid 70’s. The big 4 tracks were removed through about 80 or 81 from W. Union south under Conrail. Roger might have better info on that part.
Good Grief... I would have sworn that the depot was history. I'm delighted that it is still there and in use.
And it looks great, doesn't it? Your original photo and the current one taken from almost the same perspective. Nice to know that it still exists and is in use.
