CLASSIC TRACK DIAGRAMS

ILLINOIS CENTRAL

Champaign District

During the 1920's, all major railroads were ordered by the federal government to equip two segments of line with some form of automatic train stop or automatic train control or cab signals. Illinois Central selected this segment, along with a segment in Iowa between Waterloo and Fort Dodge. A system was adopted using cab signals without wayside signals, except at interlockings. This was installed in 1925. Blocks were identified by signal number plates on the metal equipment cases. And blocks were typically about 1 1/2 miles long, shorter than the blocks on more typical main lines. In 1939, as passenger train speeds were increasing, system was modified to allow for increased braking distances. Possibly by giving trains two blocks for braking.