Defective Defects
Shelbyville Switch
On a remnant of the past, the Shelbyville Industrial Rail Spur operates about two miles of former New York Central/Big Four main line. Here on the east end, is the switch for the old siding and the main. Just on the other side of the crossing is the connection to the Union Pacific Salem Subdivision, which is a 3% grade. The line serves but one customer, the large International Paper factory on the west end of the line.
It’s pretty easy to imagine this as the busy double-track main line it once was, especially at night. The Chicago and Eastern Illinois used the connection track to get to St. Louis, before the cutoff between Findlay and Pana was built. The remains of the interchange tracks are still in the weeds by the connection.
Nowadays, the only moves down here are the plant switcher and a UP local out of Villa Grove.
Shelbyville Switch
On a remnant of the past, the Shelbyville Industrial Rail Spur operates about two miles of former New York Central/Big Four main line. Here on the east end, is the switch for the old siding and the main. Just on the other side of the crossing is the connection to the Union Pacific Salem Subdivision, which is a 3% grade. The line serves but one customer, the large International Paper factory on the west end of the line.
It’s pretty easy to imagine this as the busy double-track main line it once was, especially at night. The Chicago and Eastern Illinois used the connection track to get to St. Louis, before the cutoff between Findlay and Pana was built. The remains of the interchange tracks are still in the weeds by the connection.
Nowadays, the only moves down here are the plant switcher and a UP local out of Villa Grove.