In Freeport, the line connected to the existing Illinois Central line between Cairo and Iowa. Also in Freeport, the CM&N was building north towards Madison, Wisconsin.
The line was completed by 1890, and became an instant mainline for the Illinois Central. It shortened milage between Iowa and Chicago by nearly 200 miles.
The line also was the fourth into Rockford, which became an important stop for the railroad. In addition, the line bypassed Elgin, but still met with the critical lines heading into Elgin.
The line was double tracked in 1895 between Chicago and Broadview.
The railroad was operated by the Illinois Central, but became a part of it entirely in 1903.
The railroad has seen virtually no changes since it opened. The railroad continues to follow I-55 into Chicago, where it meets up on the south side of Chicago with the mainline towards Centralia.
In 1972, the Illinois Central was renamed the Illinois Central Gulf, after a merger with the Gulf, Mobile & Ohio Railroad.
By 1988, the line was spun off to a subsidiary named Chicago, Central & Pacific. In 1998, the Illinois Central and subsidiaries were purchased by Canadian National Railway, who currently operates the railroad.
The line is operated as the Freeport Subdivision, which sees a fair amount of traffic.
07/17/21
Located on the west side of Rockford, this small through girder bridge crosses Kent Creek near Tay Street.
Built in 1908, the bridge consists of a single through girder span, set onto concrete abutments. While the bridge was built for two tracks, one track has been removed.
In addition, the deck of the bridge is ballasted. Girder bridges like this are common as crossings of small creeks.
Overall, the bridge appears to be in good condition from limited inspection.
The author has ranked this bridge as being locally significant, due to the common design.
The photo above is an overview from Tay Street.