Geometry
BNSF's track geometry train, running as U-CHILAC5-27Z, is seen crossing the site of the overpass over the former Illinois Central "Gruber Line" near Wenona, Illinois.
The Gruber was IC's original north-south line through the center of Illinois, and in fact is often also referred to as the "Charter Line." It was abandoned in the mid 1980s, and track material was pulled up shortly thereafter. Faint traces remain today, if you know where to look. For instance, the dirt path pointing toward the lighter-colored vegetation in the cornfield was the right-of-way. The treelines in the distance also mark the right-of-way, and today old telegraph poles still stand there. BNSF apparently tired of maintaining a bridge over nowhere, so in the early 2000s filled it. Did the bridge remain in place surrounded by fill? Stonework at the ballast edge seem to suggest that.
Geometry
BNSF's track geometry train, running as U-CHILAC5-27Z, is seen crossing the site of the overpass over the former Illinois Central "Gruber Line" near Wenona, Illinois.
The Gruber was IC's original north-south line through the center of Illinois, and in fact is often also referred to as the "Charter Line." It was abandoned in the mid 1980s, and track material was pulled up shortly thereafter. Faint traces remain today, if you know where to look. For instance, the dirt path pointing toward the lighter-colored vegetation in the cornfield was the right-of-way. The treelines in the distance also mark the right-of-way, and today old telegraph poles still stand there. BNSF apparently tired of maintaining a bridge over nowhere, so in the early 2000s filled it. Did the bridge remain in place surrounded by fill? Stonework at the ballast edge seem to suggest that.