Illinois Central in Central Illinois, The Death Star Wins
SKU: DVD-RMM-ICCIOriginal price was: $24.95.$19.95Current price is: $19.95.
In 1988 Illinois Central Gulf dropped the “Gulf” and began a concerted effort to repaint locomotives into what railfans dubbed the “Death Star” scheme. There wasn’t much else on the Mainline of Mid-America by the mid-90s. The new IC was sleek, efficient and profitable – just not as colorful.
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| Producer | Rearview Mirror Media |
|---|---|
| Run Time | 1 hour |
| Narration | Yes |
| Shrink Wrap | Yes, Brand New |
| Technical Details | NTSC, Region Free, View Worldwide on Computer |
In some form or another, the diamond and later green diamond of the Illinois Central has graced the American railroad landscape since the 1850s. In 1966 the green diamond logo changed to what railfans call the “split rail” logo.
In 1972 the logo changed just a bit as the IC merged with the Gulf Mobile and Ohio. In the ’70 and 80s you could see a number of paint schemes on the ICG. That changed in late 1987 when the railroad dropped the “Gulf”. With the return to Illinois Central and basic black came a new logo, more modern but with a nod to the past. Railfans christened this the “Death Star” logo – after the Empire’s space station in the popular movie series Star Wars.
Unlike the Illinois Central Gulf days, the railroad quickly repainted their fleet to display a unified image for the rebranded company. No longer would you be able to see power in Orange and White IC, Charcoal and Orange ICG, or a green diamond logo or even GM&O power in yards and on the main. Like the Empire in Star Wars, the “Death Star” became dominant very quickly.
In this show we follow the Death Star in the heart of the Illinois Central, in Central Illinois. Join us for a trip to Decatur, Gibson City and down the Main Line of Mid-America, between Kankakee and Effingham.
Ron Harber III –
It’s very funny that the Death Star logo was used on the Illinois Central Railroad. But I found this one very fascinating