Man, they had an awesome paint scheme! I have some old Trains magazines with a two part series from the 70's. Nice little road! What ever happened to the SD38's?
They were SD39's that the IT had, 6 of them. They worked briefly for Norfolk & Western (in lime green with NW logo's patched on! ) - 4 of them then went to Guilford where they still work, I think one of the other two became a Santa Fe slug! The ITC is a bit of a favourite road of mine. I have one eye on the new Atlas Trainman GP38-2 as it looks like it will provide something very close to theirs, and i've already detailed up an SW1500. Not sure how to model the SD39's yet though, all the ways i've seen appear to involve more effort than I want to put in at the moment. You a modeller too Ric?
When I was in grade school in Gardena, IL the Illinois Terminal went right by our school. This was before I became a railfan, but the memories linger of multiple GP7s and SW1200 hauling the daily mixed freight past the playground.
Cool - don't suppose you have any pics? Sadly I was just a kid and on the wrong continent when they were gobbled up by N&W.
The only photos I got were years later at the P&PU yard of a set of IT SD39s inbound with a freight. Send me an email and I can send the scans.
SSW9389 sent me a couple of photo's taken of SD39's at East Peoria, circa 1979/1980, i've attached them here with his permission - click on the thumbnails to open. Any IT modellers on the forum? I'll have to take a shot of my SW1500
I think that two part series was spring of 81 or so. I used to reread it from time to time - it really was an interesting railroad and operation. Too bad i just filed all of my pre-2000 Trains Magazine issues in the attic or I'd pull them out and see what info could be gleened. -Dave
