Major updates! I have completed the writing of Volume 1! Now it’s on to design and layout. IF I can get this book to the printer by August, it will be in stock by November in time for the Springfield and Collinsville train shows! Fingers crossed!

2- Volume 1 has been renamed to Rails Around Central Illinois, as it will cover everything north of I-70 only to Peoria and Streator; essentially Central Illinois. The Chapters and lines are:

Chapter 1- Springfield, Chapter 2- Decatur-Effingham, Chapter 3- Champaign-Kankakee-Bloomington, Chapter 4- Peoria-Pekin, Chapter 5- West Central Illinois, Chapter 6- All Santa Fe, Chapter 7- depots & towers. Railroads covered include: ATSF, B&O, C&EI, C&IM, CB&Q, CNW, GM&O, IC, IT, MP, N&W/NKP, NYC, P&PU, PRR, PC/Conrail, Rock Island, TP&W, and spin-offs such as Gateway Western, Peoria & Western and others.

I will post design & layout updates as well as open pre-ordering when the time comes.

As previously planned, Volume 2, now simply Rails Around Northern Illinois, will cover everything north of Galesbug & Joliet to Wisconsin, including Chicago. I still hope to have that book out end of 2026. More to come! Thanks!!