CN Cook Street Bridge (Springfield)

In 1871, the Gilman, Clinton & Springfield Railroad (GC&S) completed 102 miles of new railroad, extending from the Illinois Central Railroad (IC) mainline at Gilman, Illinois to Springfield, Illinois.  This route provided an underserved area in Central Illinois with a reliable railroad connection.  In 1873, the GC&S would become bankrupt, and in 1877 would be acquired by IC subsidiary Chicago & Springfield Railroad (C&S).  The C&S was formally consolidated into the IC in 1902, and IC significantly improved the track between Gilman and Springfield, constructing new bridges and realigning the railroad.  Further improvements would be made in 1923, when a segment near Springfield would be double tracked.  By the 20th Century, the IC was a respected railroad, operating an extensive railroad network through the central United States.  Throughout the later part of the 20th Century, traffic on this line began to fall, and the line became more of a connecting line for the railroad.  In 1972, the IC merged with the Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroad (GM&O) to form the Illinois Central Gulf (ICG).  In 1988, the ICG was reorganized as the Illinois Central Railroad (IC).  In 1998, IC was purchased by the Canadian National Railway (CN).  Today, CN continues to operate this line as the Gilman Subdivision.