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10/4/2024
 
 
 
 
 
By:Gary Everhart
Dates:7/27/2012 - 7/27/2012
Album Info:This two-story red brick depot, a former Illinois Central Railroad station, was built in 1898 to replace the original 1853 wood structure. The depot became dilapidated in the 1970s and 1980s, leading to the city’s purchase of the building from the Illinois Central in 1990. After unsuccessful attempts to open restaurants in the depot, the city completed a full restoration in 1998. Private donations and $750,000 in city funds were used to restore the depot, and the project cost $1,000,000. The station was restored to its original grandeur and now stands as a symbol of the city’s revitalization. Care was taken to ensure the historic feel of the building would be preserved. On the second story, the original frosted glass windows inscribed with the names of former railroad officials remain. The depot was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000. Amtrak, city offices, and the Kankakee Railroad Museum are all located in the depot. Opened in 1999, the museum features model railroad displays, a beautifully restored 1947 Pullman coach, railroad memorabilia, and a scale model representing the city of Kankakee in the 1950s. A 1967 Union Pacific caboose and an original Kankakee streetcar are under restoration. The plaza surrounding the depot has been transformed as well. A fountain was added in 2006, followed by Clock Tower Park in 2007. Today, many concerts and events take place here. Kankakee is a flag stop on the route of the City of New Orleans route and it is also served by the Illini and Saluki.
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Former Illinois Central Kankakee Station
Title:  Former Illinois Central Kankakee Station
Description:  Built in 1898 when the original wooden structure burn, this station has survived in grand style.
Photo Date:  7/27/2012  Upload Date: 3/8/2013 6:54:47 PM
Location:  Kankakee, IL
Author:  Gary Everhart
Categories:  Station,Passenger
Locomotives: 
Views:  63   Comments: 0
Former Illinois Central Kankakee Station
Title:  Former Illinois Central Kankakee Station
Description:  After several unsuccessful renovations by private parties, the city of Kankakee purchased it and completed a restoration in 1998 to serve as a focal point for a new park.
Photo Date:  7/27/2012  Upload Date: 3/8/2013 6:54:57 PM
Location:  Kankakee, IL
Author:  Gary Everhart
Categories:  Station,Passenger
Locomotives: 
Views:  62   Comments: 1
Former Illinois Central Kankakee Station
Title:  Former Illinois Central Kankakee Station
Description:  The station still carries the IC Offices title and somewhere on the 2nd story are the original frosted glass windows with the names of former railroad officials.
Photo Date:  7/27/2012  Upload Date: 3/8/2013 6:55:05 PM
Location:  Kankakee, IL
Author:  Gary Everhart
Categories:  Station,Passenger
Locomotives: 
Views:  46   Comments: 0
Former Illinois Central Kankakee Station
Title:  Former Illinois Central Kankakee Station
Description:  Once a two track line here, now there is just one but an active one though. The station is a flag stop on the City of New Orleans and also serves the Illini and Saluki Amtrak trains. In addition, Canadian National now runs freight as well as an ocassional Norfolk Southern.
Photo Date:  7/27/2012  Upload Date: 3/8/2013 6:55:11 PM
Location:  Kankakee, IL
Author:  Gary Everhart
Categories:  Station,Passenger
Locomotives: 
Views:  87   Comments: 0
"City of Kankakee" Pullman Car
Title:  "City of Kankakee" Pullman Car
Description:  This former Illinois Central Pullman car now carrying the city's name and is filled with interesting railroad artifacts placed by the historical museum now housed in part of the station.
Photo Date:  7/27/2012  Upload Date: 3/8/2013 6:55:15 PM
Location:  Kankakee, IL
Author:  Gary Everhart
Categories:  Station,Passenger
Locomotives: 
Views:  171   Comments: 2
"City of Kankakee" Pullman Car
Title:  "City of Kankakee" Pullman Car
Description:  The car is a split buffet/coach car. The museum has gone to great steps to make it appear as if the car has just pulled up on its way to New Orleans.
Photo Date:  7/27/2012  Upload Date: 3/8/2013 6:55:22 PM
Location:  Kankakee, IL
Author:  Gary Everhart
Categories:  Station,Passenger
Locomotives: 
Views:  78   Comments: 0
"City of Kankakee" Pullman Car
Title:  "City of Kankakee" Pullman Car
Description:  The buffet/dining portion looks ready to seat the passengers for white linen tablecloth service.
Photo Date:  7/27/2012  Upload Date: 3/8/2013 6:55:26 PM
Location:  Kankakee, IL
Author:  Gary Everhart
Categories:  Station,Passenger
Locomotives: 
Views:  53   Comments: 0
"City of Kankakee" Pullman Car
Title:  "City of Kankakee" Pullman Car
Description:  The car still has its distintive frosted "I-ball" logo on the door separating the two sections of the car.
Photo Date:  7/27/2012  Upload Date: 3/8/2013 6:55:38 PM
Location:  Kankakee, IL
Author:  Gary Everhart
Categories:  Station,Passenger
Locomotives: 
Views:  47   Comments: 0
Union Pacific Caboose - UP 25673
Title:  Union Pacific Caboose - UP 25673
Description:  Looking sharp with its new paint job, this 1967 Union Pacific caboose sits next to the Pullman car at the Kankakee Station.
Photo Date:  7/27/2012  Upload Date: 3/8/2013 6:55:44 PM
Location:  Kankakee, IL
Author:  Gary Everhart
Categories:  Station,Passenger
Locomotives: 
Views:  97   Comments: 0
"City of Kankakee" Pullman Car & UP 25673
Title:  "City of Kankakee" Pullman Car & UP 25673
Description:  The two cars sit in a beautifully landscaped section just north of the Kankakee Station.
Photo Date:  7/27/2012  Upload Date: 3/8/2013 6:55:48 PM
Location:  Kankakee, IL
Author:  Gary Everhart
Categories:  Station,Passenger
Locomotives: 
Views:  69   Comments: 0
Mileage Marker
Title:  Mileage Marker
Description:  The cute mileage markers identify the distances between the two endpoints of the City of New Orleans route.
Photo Date:  7/27/2012  Upload Date: 3/8/2013 6:55:53 PM
Location:  Kankakee, IL
Author:  Gary Everhart
Categories:  Station,Passenger
Locomotives: 
Views:  65   Comments: 0
Signals
Title:  Signals
Description:  Once located along the IC track to protect track movements, these signals now decorate the park next to the Kankakee station.
Photo Date:  7/27/2012  Upload Date: 3/8/2013 6:56:00 PM
Location:  Kankakee, IL
Author:  Gary Everhart
Categories:  Station,Passenger
Locomotives: 
Views:  58   Comments: 0
Former Illinois Central Bronze Logo
Title:  Former Illinois Central Bronze Logo
Description:  Inside the railroad museum in the Kankakee station, this impressive bronge logo of times long ago when the IC was a top carrier.
Photo Date:  7/27/2012  Upload Date: 3/8/2013 6:56:07 PM
Location:  Kankakee, IL
Author:  Gary Everhart
Categories:  Station,Passenger
Locomotives: 
Views:  38   Comments: 0
Milwaukee Road Peacock Pattern China
Title:  Milwaukee Road Peacock Pattern China
Description:  Several different china collections are also inside the Kankakee railroad museum.
Photo Date:  7/27/2012  Upload Date: 3/8/2013 6:56:11 PM
Location:  Kankakee, IL
Author:  Gary Everhart
Categories:  Station,Passenger
Locomotives: 
Views:  187   Comments: 0
Milwaukee Road Pink Geese Pattern China
Title:  Milwaukee Road Pink Geese Pattern China
Description:  Another example in the china collection at the Kankakee museum is this pink geese pattern.
Photo Date:  7/27/2012  Upload Date: 3/8/2013 6:56:17 PM
Location:  Kankakee, IL
Author:  Gary Everhart
Categories:  Station,Passenger
Locomotives: 
Views:  44   Comments: 0
Rock Island Rocket China Pattern
Title:  Rock Island Rocket China Pattern
Description:  Another beautiful china pattern in the Kankakee museum is this Rock Island pattern.
Photo Date:  7/27/2012  Upload Date: 3/8/2013 6:56:23 PM
Location:  Kankakee, IL
Author:  Gary Everhart
Categories:  Station,Passenger
Locomotives: 
Views:  64   Comments: 0


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