Trace the evolution of the Chicago and Eastern Illinois Railroad and its many predecessors through frontier trains, bold mergers, and turning-point projects.
This compact history gathers decades of corporate growth and track expansion, showing how a regional line shaped transportation across Illinois and Indiana.
From early trails to the rise of a major railroad network, the book maps how lines were built, merged, and reconfigured. You’ll see the sequence of companies that formed the C&EI family, the creation of key routes, and the dramatic railroad politics that influenced where and how trains ran.
- Learn how small predecessors grew into a regional powerhouse
- Follow mergers, track upgrades, and the move toward standard gauges
- Discover the stations, bridges, and routes that connected Illinois and Indiana
- See how freight and passenger service evolved with shifting ownerships and management
Ideal for railroad enthusiasts and readers of Midwestern history seeking a concise, date-driven overview of a pivotal rail corridor.